Ric Keller

Richard Anthony Keller (born September 5, 1964) is an American politician, author, and lawyer who served as the U.S. representative for Florida's 8th congressional district from 2001 to 2009. His district included much of the Central Florida region including the Greater Orlando metropolitan area and Walt Disney World. He chaired the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and served on the Judiciary and Education committees. Today he is an author, speaker, TV commentator and attorney.

Keller was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. He received a bachelor's degree from East Tennessee State University, where he graduated first in his class in 1986, and a J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University in 1992. He was a lawyer in Florida before being elected to the House of Representatives in 2000.

Keller served eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He chaired the House Higher Education subcommittee served on the Judiciary and Education committees. Keller is now a partner at law firm of Hill, Rugh, Keller & Main, P.L. in Orlando, Fla. He lives in Winter Park, Florida with his wife, Lori, and their blended family.

In Keller's first run for Congress, he finished in second place in the Republican primary with 31% of the vote, against fellow Republican Bill Sublette, who had 43%, but defeated Sublette in the runoff election, getting 52% of that vote.

In the 2000 general election, Keller won with 51% of the vote against Democrat Linda Chapin.

Keller readily won the 2002 Congressional election against Democrat Eddie Diaz, winning with 65% of the vote.

In 2004 Keller won his third term with 60% of the vote against Democratic challenger Stephen Murray.

In 2006, Keller won the Republican primary with 72% of the vote, defeating businesswoman Elizabeth Doran. In the general election, Keller defeated Democrat Charlie Stuart, 53% to 46%.