Jeff Kottkamp
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey "Jeff" Kottkamp (born November 12, 1960) is an American politician from Florida, and served as the state's 17th Lieutenant Governor
, from 2007 to 2011.
Kottkamp, a Republican
, served in the Florida House of Representatives
from 2000 to 2006. In September 2006 he was selected as the running mate for Republican candidate for Governor Charlie Crist. Crist and Kottkamp were elected in November 2006 and Kottkamp was subsequently sworn in as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Florida on January 2, 2007. As Lt. Governor he served as Chairman of the Board of Space Florida
, Chairman of Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet, Chairman of the Florida Sports Foundation, and had oversight responsibility for the Governor's Office of Drug Control, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as well as the Governor's Film and Entertainment Office.
Board of Directors in 2007. Space Florida is a public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature in 2006 to strengthen Florida's position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. While he was Chairman, Florida broke ground on a facilty for Space Exploration Technologies (Space X) at Launch Complex 40 located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The facility opened a new era of commercial space operations in Florida.
When President Obama released his proposed budget for 2011 which proposed ending NASA's Constellation Program, Kottkamp became one of the leading voices in opposition to the proposal. In March 2010 Kottkamp challenged the President to a debate on the future of the space program.
in 1960. He moved to Florida in 1977 and graduated from North Fort Myers High School in 1979. He is the first person from his family to attend college. In 1982, he received his Associate of Arts degree from Edison Community College
in Fort Myers. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University
, majoring in Political Science in 1984. While at Florida State he was active in Student Government and was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta
National Honor Society. In 2007, the Florida State University Alumni Association named Kottkamp to the prestigious "Circle of Gold". In 1987 he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida
College of Law. Kottkamp is an honorary member of "Florida Blue Key".
Kottkamp is married to Cyndie, who is a fourth generation Floridian born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. They have one son, Jeffrey Jackson Kottkamp.
Kottkamp began his legal career at the Kimbrell & Hamann firm which was one of the largest and oldest firms in Miami at the time. Kottkamp primarily practiced in the Products Liability and Commercial Litigation area. Kottkamp then served as a Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Joe Eaton. He later served as a Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Sidney Aronovitz.
After completing his second federal judicial clerkship, Kottkamp returned to Southwest Florida where he joined the Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt firm. Henderson Franklin was first established in 1924 and is the largest law firm between Tampa and Miami. Kottkamp became a Partner at the firm in 1998 concentrating his practice in the Tort and Insurance Practice Section. In 2003 he took over the firm's Appellate Practice Section.
Throughout his legal career Kottkamp was an active member of the bar. He served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board in 2000 as well as President-Elect of the Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents. In 1998 he served as President of the Lee County Bar Association and was Vice-President of the Southwest Florida Federal Bar Association in 1996. He was also a member of the Calusa Inns of Court.
Jeff Kottkamp-7,158 (44.1 %)
Marilyn Stout-6,129 (37.8%)
Steve Personette-2,927 (18.1)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2000) (Republican Runoff)Jeff Kottkamp-7,748 (52.1)
Marilyn Stout-7,128 (47.9)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2000) (General Election)
Jeff Kottkamp (R)-49,936 (99.9%)
Bill Bracken-(WRI)-25 (0.1%)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2002) (Republican Primary)
Jeff Kottkamp-9,046 (55.9%)
Arnold Gibss-6,563 (40.5%)
Chris Mancare-587 (3.6)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2002) (General Election)Jeff Kottkamp (R)-36,876 (68.6%)
Linda Parnell (D)-15,016 (27.9%)
Tom Clark (LIB)-1,852 (3.4%)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2004)
Jeff Kottkamp (R)-Elected Unopposed
Florida Gubernatorial Election (2006)Charlie Crist/Jeff Kottkamp (R)-2,519,845 (52.2%)
Jim Davis/Darryl Jones (D)-2,178,289 (45.1%)
Lieutenant Governor of Florida
The Lieutenant Governor of Florida is a statewide elected office in the government of the U.S. state of Florida. According to the Florida Constitution, the lieutenant governor is elected to a four-year term congruent with that of the Governor of Florida, and succeeds to the office of Governor if it...
, from 2007 to 2011.
Kottkamp, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, served in the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
from 2000 to 2006. In September 2006 he was selected as the running mate for Republican candidate for Governor Charlie Crist. Crist and Kottkamp were elected in November 2006 and Kottkamp was subsequently sworn in as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Florida on January 2, 2007. As Lt. Governor he served as Chairman of the Board of Space Florida
Space Florida
Space Florida is the aerospace economic development agency of the state of Florida. The agency was created by consolidating three existing space entities into a single new organization via the The Space Florida Act, enacted in May 2006 by the Florida Legislature...
, Chairman of Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet, Chairman of the Florida Sports Foundation, and had oversight responsibility for the Governor's Office of Drug Control, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, as well as the Governor's Film and Entertainment Office.
Office of Drug Control
During his term in office Kottkamp pushed for the passage of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and other legislation designed to reduce the illegal sale of prescription drugs in Florida. In 2010 Kottkamp announced a Statewide Prescription Drug Task Force to combat Florida's increasing problem with prescription drug abuse. The Task Force was an unprecedented partnership between state and local health officials and law enforcement working together to fight the illegal diversion of prescription drugs.Space Florida
Kottkamp was appointed as Chairman of the Space FloridaSpace Florida
Space Florida is the aerospace economic development agency of the state of Florida. The agency was created by consolidating three existing space entities into a single new organization via the The Space Florida Act, enacted in May 2006 by the Florida Legislature...
Board of Directors in 2007. Space Florida is a public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature in 2006 to strengthen Florida's position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. While he was Chairman, Florida broke ground on a facilty for Space Exploration Technologies (Space X) at Launch Complex 40 located at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The facility opened a new era of commercial space operations in Florida.
When President Obama released his proposed budget for 2011 which proposed ending NASA's Constellation Program, Kottkamp became one of the leading voices in opposition to the proposal. In March 2010 Kottkamp challenged the President to a debate on the future of the space program.
Children and Youth Cabinet
Kottkamp served as Chairman of Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet and also oversaw the Office of Adoption. While he was Chairman the Cabinet launched the first data sharing initiative of its kind in the country designed to provide comprehensive services to children in are more timely and cost-effective way. In 2011, the Cabinet was awarded the "Ready by 21 Policy Leadership Award" from the Forum for Youth Investment for, among other things, creating a comprehensive point-of-service data system to better serve children and youth.Personal life
Kottkamp was born in Martinsville, IndianaMartinsville, Indiana
Martinsville is a city in and the county seat of Morgan County, Indiana, United States; the population was 11,828 at the 2010 census.-History:...
in 1960. He moved to Florida in 1977 and graduated from North Fort Myers High School in 1979. He is the first person from his family to attend college. In 1982, he received his Associate of Arts degree from Edison Community College
Edison Community College
Edison State College is a state college in Florida, part of the Florida College System. The college has its main campus in Fort Myers in Lee County, and branch campuses in Charlotte and Collier counties. The college also has an outreach program in Hendry and Glades counties...
in Fort Myers. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, majoring in Political Science in 1984. While at Florida State he was active in Student Government and was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history.The society is a charter member of the Association of College Honor Societies and has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters.-...
National Honor Society. In 2007, the Florida State University Alumni Association named Kottkamp to the prestigious "Circle of Gold". In 1987 he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
College of Law. Kottkamp is an honorary member of "Florida Blue Key".
Kottkamp is married to Cyndie, who is a fourth generation Floridian born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. They have one son, Jeffrey Jackson Kottkamp.
Legislative career
Kottkamp was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000 and was subsequently re-elected in 2002 and 2004. While serving in the Legislature served as Chairman of the Judiciary Appropriations Committee (2006), Chairman of Government Operations Committee (2005), Chairman of Judiciary Committee (2002–2004), Vice-Chairman of the Rules and Calendar Council (2004–2006) and Vice-Chairman of Judiciary (2000–2002). He also served as Deputy Majority Whip.Anti-tax stance
As a member of the Florida Legislature Kottkamp had a reputation for fighting to lower taxes. He sponsored legislation to repeal the Intangibles Tax. In 2000 a group of freshman members of the Florida House of Representatives, including Kottkamp, formed the "Freedom Caucus". Members of the caucus included Representatives Connie Mack, Jeff Kottkamp, Bruce Kyle, Jim Kallinger, Don Brown, Mike Haridopolos, Dennis Baxley, and Carey Baker. Caucus members opposed any efforts to raise taxes. Kottkamp later became Co-Chair of the Taxpayer Protection Caucus. He served as Co-Chair of the Caucus from 2002 to 2006.Acting Governor
On June 18, 2008 Kottkamp became Acting Governor of the State of Florida while Governor Charlie Crist had knee surgery. Crist filed a Proclamation with the Secretary of State transferring power to Kottkamp pursuant to Article IV Section 3(b) of the Florida Constitution.Legal career
After completing his term as Lt. Governor, Kottkamp joined the law firm of Messer, Caparello and Self. Kottkamp is an AV rated attorney licensed to practice in State and Federal Courts in Florida, as well as the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.Kottkamp began his legal career at the Kimbrell & Hamann firm which was one of the largest and oldest firms in Miami at the time. Kottkamp primarily practiced in the Products Liability and Commercial Litigation area. Kottkamp then served as a Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Joe Eaton. He later served as a Law Clerk to United States District Court Judge Sidney Aronovitz.
After completing his second federal judicial clerkship, Kottkamp returned to Southwest Florida where he joined the Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt firm. Henderson Franklin was first established in 1924 and is the largest law firm between Tampa and Miami. Kottkamp became a Partner at the firm in 1998 concentrating his practice in the Tort and Insurance Practice Section. In 2003 he took over the firm's Appellate Practice Section.
Throughout his legal career Kottkamp was an active member of the bar. He served as Chairman of the Florida Bar Journal Editorial Board in 2000 as well as President-Elect of the Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents. In 1998 he served as President of the Lee County Bar Association and was Vice-President of the Southwest Florida Federal Bar Association in 1996. He was also a member of the Calusa Inns of Court.
Florida DeMolay
In 2010, Kottkamp was named to the Florida DeMolay Hall of Fame. He is the 25th person named to the Hall of Fame since it was founded in 1994. Prior inductees include Governor Reubin Askew, Sen. Pat Thomas and Sen. Dennis Jones.Electoral history
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2000) (Republican Primary)Jeff Kottkamp-7,158 (44.1 %)
Marilyn Stout-6,129 (37.8%)
Steve Personette-2,927 (18.1)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2000) (Republican Runoff)Jeff Kottkamp-7,748 (52.1)
Marilyn Stout-7,128 (47.9)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2000) (General Election)
Jeff Kottkamp (R)-49,936 (99.9%)
Bill Bracken-(WRI)-25 (0.1%)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2002) (Republican Primary)
Jeff Kottkamp-9,046 (55.9%)
Arnold Gibss-6,563 (40.5%)
Chris Mancare-587 (3.6)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2002) (General Election)Jeff Kottkamp (R)-36,876 (68.6%)
Linda Parnell (D)-15,016 (27.9%)
Tom Clark (LIB)-1,852 (3.4%)
Florida House of Representatives, 74th District (2004)
Jeff Kottkamp (R)-Elected Unopposed
Florida Gubernatorial Election (2006)Charlie Crist/Jeff Kottkamp (R)-2,519,845 (52.2%)
Jim Davis/Darryl Jones (D)-2,178,289 (45.1%)