Jeff Miller (Florida politician)


Jefferson Bingham Miller is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for, from 2001 to 2017. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes all of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, and Washington Counties.

Early life, education, and career

Miller was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating from Bronson High School in 1977, he served for one year under the National FFA Organization as Florida state Secretary. Miller went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Florida in 1984. He was a real estate broker and a deputy sheriff before taking public office.

Personal life

Miller lives in the small town of Chumuckla, Florida, which is located about 20 miles northeast of Pensacola, Florida. He and his wife Vicki have two children and four grandchildren and are members of Olive Baptist Church.

Florida legislature

Miller was an executive assistant to Democratic state Agriculture Commissioner Doyle Conner from 1984 to 1988. He was a Democrat until he switched parties in 1997.
Miller was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1998 to 2001. During his three years there, he was a member of the committees on , , , and . During his second term in the state house, Miller was chairman of the Utilities of Telecommunications Committee. He also oversaw a board in charge of community development in Escambia County.

U.S. House of Representatives

After Republican incumbent Joe Scarborough resigned five months into his fourth term, Miller won a crowded six-way special Republican primary with 54 percent of the vote. By this time, the 1st had become the most Republican district in Florida, and one of the most Republican districts in the South. Thus, for all intents and purposes, Miller assured himself of becoming the district's next congressman with his primary victory. He won the special election with 66 percent of the vote. He won a full term in 2002 with 75 percent of the vote, and was reelected six more times with only nominal opposition, never dropping below 69 percent of the vote. He didn't face a major-party challenger in 2006 or 2010.
Miller announced that he would not seek reelection during the 2016 elections.

Committee assignments

During the 107th Congress, he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
During the 108th Congress, he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
During the 109th Congress, he served on the House Armed Services Committee, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the United States Select Bipartisan Committee on Hurricane Katrina Preparation/Response Investigation.

Political positions

Miller typically votes along Republican party lines.

Foreign affairs

This is a partial list of legislation sponsored by Miller.