Senate Candidates Home | Congressional Map | Senator Bill Nelson
Senator Bill Nelson Democrat of Florida
For U.S Senate in 2012Statistics
Party: Democrat
Born: September 29, 1942; Miami, FL
Education: Yale University, B.A. 1965; University of Virginia J.D. 1968
Occupation:
Family: Wife Grace, two children
Religion: Presbyterian
Political Career: Florida House 1972-78; U.S. House 1979-91; Fl. Treasurer and Insurance Commissioner 1995-2001; U.S. Senate 2000-present
Committees: Aging; Budget; Commerce, Science & Transportation; Finance; Select Intelligence
Why Your Support
Sen. Bill Nelson has a perfect record on JAC’s issues. His priorities during more than ten years in the Senate include: preventing oil drilling off Florida’s coast, ensuring veterans and their spouses get the benefits and health care they deserve, and fighting for a meaningful Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors. Nelson was first elected in 2000 with 51% and reelected in 2006 with 60%. This next election could be Nelson’s toughest. In 2010, Florida elected a conservative Republican governor, a Tea Party-backed GOP senator and Repulicans retained control of the state legislature. A contested primary on the GOP side features three declared candidates. The favorite among the challengers is George LeMieux, appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the unexpired term of GOP Sen. Mel Martinez. LeMieux chose not to run in 2010, but is challenging Nelson this time. The other two challengers are St. House Majority Leader Adam Hasner and former Ruth Chris CEO and 2010 House candidate Craig Miller. Hasner has linked himself to freshman GOP Sen. Marco Rubio and should get the Tea Party vote. Nelson is a strong friend with an excellent record. But Florida being Florida, the race could be a close one right to the end.
Background
Florida is the nation’s fourth largest state, historically Southern, demographically Northeastern and Midwestern. It has the nation’s largest percentage of senior citizens with approximately 17% of the population over 65. (The national average is 13%) Florida has been a land of freedom and security for immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America as well as for refugees from Cuba and Haiti, a refuge from authoritarian regimes. The economy surged until 2007 but has been hard hit by the recession, facing a huge meltdown in the areas of housing and development. Florida has experienced one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country.
About The Candidate
Sen. Bill Nelson was first elected to public office in Florida in 1972 at the age of 30. After almost four decades of serving the state, his reputation is that of a principled family man, a staunch advocate for all Floridians and a moderate voice in the increasingly partisan realm of national politics. In 1986, while serving in the House representing Orlando and the Space Coast, Nelson spent six days orbiting Earth as a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Columbia. That experience gave him a new perspective on the Earth’s environment and the importance of our country’s space exploration program. In 1994, Nelson was elected Florida state Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and Fire Marshall. He became an outspoken advocate for lower insurance rates for homeowners and forced European insurers to honor unpaid claims of Holocaust survivors.
