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Congressman Adam Putnam made national news in 2001 when he was first sworn into office as one of the youngest Members of Congress in history. Today he is no longer the youngest, but he has become one of the most influential leaders in Congress. The editor of one of the Capitol Hill newspapers said Adam has risen so fast in Congress, “you would think he would get vertigo.” Praise for his leadership style crosses both generational and party lines. Susan McManus, the widely quoted political scientist from USF says the secret to Adam’s success is that “He's a very studied person of very complex issues; he doesn't just shoot from the hip.” During his time in Congress, Adam has served as a member of the committees on Agriculture, Budget, Government Reform, and the powerful committee on Rules. And he just finished a two-year term as the third highest ranking leader of his party in the House of Representatives. Adam has played a key role in shaping a wide array of laws affecting Floridians, ranging from agriculture and education to small business and social security. On February 2, Congressman Putnam announced his candidacy for Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture - a role that allows him to return to his agricultural roots while continuing to serve the state that generations of his family have called home. He will bring to the office of Commissioner of Agriculture common sense values he learned growing up in a Polk County farming family; the lessons of community, of service to others and of hard work that so many people in our great state live and breathe every day. It is clear that Adam is a Floridian and agriculturalist through-and-through. He was born in the heart of the 12th Congressional District, and this is where he makes his home with his wife, Melissa, and their four children. Adam wishes to express his regret for being unable to be with us here today but looks forward to working with each of you as the campaign continues. Adam would like to invite you to become a part of his campaign as he works to become Florida’s next Commissioner of Agriculture. For more information about Adam and his campaign, please visit his campaign Web site at www.adamputnam.com. |