David Patlak
Encyclopedia
David Patlak was the Democratic candidate
in 2006 running for Congress in the 18th Congressional district in Florida
, which runs from Key West
to Miami. He ran against incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
.
, a nonprofit organization that helps care for people with intellectual disabilities. He is active in veterans’ groups as well as Democratic Party organizations.
The oldest of eight children, Patlak was born July 7, 1955, and raised in Northbrook, Illinois
. His mother is a retired teacher and his father, a WWII veteran, went on to become a renowned psychiatrist and physician. After graduating Glenbrook North High School
, he had his first exposure to grassroots politics, volunteering on the congressional campaign for Abner Mikva and the presidential campaign for Senator George McGovern
. He then went on to work on Jimmy Carter
's successful presidential campaign and Congressman Mikva's re-election bid (in the same district once held by Donald Rumsfeld
). At over 6'5" tall, his height has earned him the moniker "Big Dave" Patlak.
Patlak joined the United States Coast Guard
, where he served "with distinction" in the Presidential Honor Guard
and as a Search and Rescue Air Crewman. In 1983, he became a Commissioned Officer and his shipboard responsibilities shifted to maritime law enforcement—including a 35-ton drug bust off the coast of the Bahamas. He retired, a Chief Warrant Officer 4, in 2003, after more than 24-years active duty service, 10 of which were spent on the shores of South Florida.
He is the district commander of the American Legion
and a member of the Disabled American Veterans
.
Patlak was endorsed by the Democratic Advancement Political Action Committee (Dapac), Democracy for America-Florida (DFAM-FL), and the Progressive Democrats of America
(PDA). While serving in Puerto Rico, he was a member of Liga Ecologica del Noroeste de Puerto Rico and created the first curbside recycling program in the Commonwealth. He was elected to the position of Outreach Vice-Chair for the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party and serves on the Florida Democratic Party
Clubs and Caucuses Committee. He has held the office of President of the Miami Beach Democratic Club for two terms and serves as the Vice Chair of the South Florida Region Progressive Democrats.
Some of the celebrities who supported Patlak's campaign included talk show host Phil Donahue
, actor-commentator Charles Grodin
, and Academy Award nominee Sally Kellerman, who performed a benefit for Patlak's campaign in Key West in September 2006. Miami Herald article
Dave met his wife Maryanne, an artist, while stationed in Puerto Rico, where he learned to speak Spanish. Living in the South Pointe community of Miami Beach, Dave and Maryanne have two children, five grandchildren and have mentored a high-school student from Little Haiti.
United States House elections, 2006 complete list
Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 110th Congress were held on November 7, 2006. The House of Representatives has 435 seats. In the 109th Congress, Republicans held 229 seats, Democrats held 201, with one independent...
in 2006 running for Congress in the 18th Congressional district in Florida
Florida's 18th congressional district
Florida's 18th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Florida. Based in South Florida, the district includes portions of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The Miami-Dade section includes most of the city of Miami, the South Beach section of Miami Beach, and many of...
, which runs from Key West
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
to Miami. He ran against incumbent Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1989. She is a member of the Republican Party....
.
Background
Dave Patlak is a veteran of 25 years service in the U.S. Coast Guard who until recently worked for Best BuddiesBest Buddies International
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501 organization. It consists of volunteers that attempt to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities ....
, a nonprofit organization that helps care for people with intellectual disabilities. He is active in veterans’ groups as well as Democratic Party organizations.
The oldest of eight children, Patlak was born July 7, 1955, and raised in Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook is a village located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, which is also a North Shore suburb of Chicago. The population was 33,170 at the 2010 census....
. His mother is a retired teacher and his father, a WWII veteran, went on to become a renowned psychiatrist and physician. After graduating Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook North High School, or GBN, is a public four-year high school located in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States...
, he had his first exposure to grassroots politics, volunteering on the congressional campaign for Abner Mikva and the presidential campaign for Senator George McGovern
George McGovern
George Stanley McGovern is an historian, author, and former U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and the Democratic Party nominee in the 1972 presidential election....
. He then went on to work on Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
's successful presidential campaign and Congressman Mikva's re-election bid (in the same district once held by Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
). At over 6'5" tall, his height has earned him the moniker "Big Dave" Patlak.
Patlak joined the United States Coast Guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
, where he served "with distinction" in the Presidential Honor Guard
Honor guard
An honor guard, or ceremonial guard, is a ceremonial unit, usually military in nature and composed of volunteers who are carefully screened for their physical ability and dexterity...
and as a Search and Rescue Air Crewman. In 1983, he became a Commissioned Officer and his shipboard responsibilities shifted to maritime law enforcement—including a 35-ton drug bust off the coast of the Bahamas. He retired, a Chief Warrant Officer 4, in 2003, after more than 24-years active duty service, 10 of which were spent on the shores of South Florida.
He is the district commander of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
and a member of the Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, is an organization for disabled veterans that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has over 1.2 million members...
.
Patlak was endorsed by the Democratic Advancement Political Action Committee (Dapac), Democracy for America-Florida (DFAM-FL), and the Progressive Democrats of America
Progressive Democrats of America
The Progressive Democrats of America is a progressive political organization and grassroots political action committee operating inside the United States Democratic Party.-History:...
(PDA). While serving in Puerto Rico, he was a member of Liga Ecologica del Noroeste de Puerto Rico and created the first curbside recycling program in the Commonwealth. He was elected to the position of Outreach Vice-Chair for the Miami-Dade County Democratic Party and serves on the Florida Democratic Party
Florida Democratic Party
The Florida Democratic Party is the official organization for Democrats in the state of Florida.-History:The Florida Democratic Party has historically dominated dodo Florida's state and local politics. Florida's Governor's Mansion was closed to Republicans from 1877 until 1967, when Claude R...
Clubs and Caucuses Committee. He has held the office of President of the Miami Beach Democratic Club for two terms and serves as the Vice Chair of the South Florida Region Progressive Democrats.
Some of the celebrities who supported Patlak's campaign included talk show host Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue
Phillip John "Phil" Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, also known as Donahue, was the first to use a talk show format. The show had a 26-year run on U.S...
, actor-commentator Charles Grodin
Charles Grodin
Charles Grodin is an American actor, comedian, author and former cable talk show host. Grodin began his acting career in the 1960s appearing in TV serials including The Virginian. He had a small part as an obstetrician in Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby in 1968...
, and Academy Award nominee Sally Kellerman, who performed a benefit for Patlak's campaign in Key West in September 2006. Miami Herald article
Dave met his wife Maryanne, an artist, while stationed in Puerto Rico, where he learned to speak Spanish. Living in the South Pointe community of Miami Beach, Dave and Maryanne have two children, five grandchildren and have mentored a high-school student from Little Haiti.