Senator Ted Deutch Announces Candidacy For Congress

Today, Florida State Senator Ted Deutch announced that he is a candidate for Congress in the 19th Congressional District. A special congressional election is expected to be scheduled in early 2010 for the seat that is being vacated in January by Congressman Robert Wexler.

During only his first term in the State Senate, Ted Deutch passed landmark legislation to ensure that the retirement funds of Florida’s workers do not support Iran’s illicit quest for nuclear weapons. Senator Deutch also passed legislation to protect healthcare for seniors and a bill that that will reduce smoking and fund nearly $1 billion in critical health care programs throughout Florida.

Senator Deutch’s senate district is ideally situated for a successful congressional campaign for the 19th District seat. Deutch already represents many more voters in the 19th District then any other elected official. In fact, Deutch currently represents almost half of the district’s voters. Wexler represented this senate district prior to his successful run for Congress. Also, like Deutch’s current state senate district, the 19th District is overwhelmingly located in Palm Beach County.

Senator Deutch issued the following statement regarding his run for Congress:

“It is with great excitement and humility that I announce my candidacy for Congress in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.

“This is a time of extraordinary challenges both at home and abroad. The economy is in crisis, with rising unemployment and skyrocketing foreclosures putting tremendous pressure on our families and seniors. Global concerns are at the forefront with U.S. troops on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq, the threat of terrorism, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and Israel’s essential need for security.

“Much like we face today, my father also lived in a time of extraordinary challenges. As a teenager, my father volunteered for World War II where he bravely fought at the Battle of the Bulge and won a purple heart. My father was the most patriotic man I ever met. He and my mother taught me when your nation faces challenges, you step up and you serve. It is for this reason that I am running for Congress - to continue this legacy of service and to give back to my community.

“I am running for Congress because I want to work hard every day to help solve the difficult challenges that the citizens of South Florida are currently facing. I will bring to Congress the same strong work ethic and common sense that I brought to Tallahassee. I am proud of the results that I have delivered in the Florida State Senate on education and seniors, health care, and through my successful efforts to ensure that the retirement funds of Florida’s workers do not support development of a nuclear weapons program in Iran or aid genocide in Darfur.

“My leadership and proven success as a State Senator is based on simple hard work and remembering that the people always come first. This is the same commitment that I will bring to Congress.”

About Senator Ted Deutch

Senator Ted Deutch is an accomplished legislator who has passed legislation on critical issues that have benefited seniors, public education, national security, and victims of the Holocaust. Deutch, 43, was elected to the Florida State Senate in November 2006. His state senate district is largely located in Palm Beach County and includes some portions of north Broward County.

Deutch received national recognition and testified before Congress for his successful legislative efforts ensuring that the retirement funds of Florida workers to not support Iran’s illicit quest for nuclear weapons or genocide in Darfur. In 2009, Senator Deutch passed legislation that will reduce youth smoking and fund up to $1 billion in critical health care programs in Florida, including $50 million per year in dedicated cancer research funding.

In the Senate, Deutch has also passed legislation protecting children, improving health care insurance for seniors, and, through his efforts, he helped secure a new senior center in Palm Beach County.

Ted’s commitment to public service earned him the prestigious Harry S Truman Scholarship and his civic and philanthropic work earned him the James and Marjorie Baer Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. He also has been honored for his efforts in the State Senate, most recently receiving the National Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society, and receiving the Florida Education Association’s Champion of Public Education Award.

A native of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Ted is the son of Jean Deutch and the late Bernard Deutch, who earned a Purple Heart serving his country during World War II. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School, Ted is an attorney with the Florida law firm of Broad and Cassel. He currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his wife of 18 years, Jill, his 14 year-old daughters, Gabrielle and Serena and his 10 year-old son, Cole.

For more information visit www.tedforcongress.com