Ted Deutch

Ted Deutch
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Mario Diaz-Balart
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 19th district
In office April 13, 2010 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Robert Wexler
Succeeded by	Trey Radel
Member of the Florida Senate from the 30th district
In office January 2007 – April 13, 2010
Preceded by	Ron Klein
Succeeded by	Maria Sachs
Personal details
Born	Theodore E. Deutch May 7, 1966 Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jill Weinstock
Children	3, Serena. Cole, Gabrielle
Alma mater	University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Religion	Judaism

Theodore E. Deutch (born May 7, 1966), commonly known as Ted Deutch, is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 21st congressional district. He first won election to Congress during a special election in April 2010 in Florida's 19th congressional district. He previously served in the Florida Senate. In 2012, due to redistricting, he ran for and won re-election in Florida's 21st congressional district.^[1]

Early life, Education, and Law Career

Deutch was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the son of Jean (née Mindlin) and the late Bernard Deutch, who earned a Purple Heart during World War II. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.^[2] A graduate of Liberty High School in Bethlehem,^[3] Deutch graduated from the University of Michigan, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of Consider magazine, and the University of Michigan Law School.

Florida Senate

As a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Communities, Deutch organized over 2,500 people to march on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. with the intent of pressuring Congress on a slate of issues affecting children and the elderly. At the end of his tenure in the state senate, Deutch served as Vice Chair of the Committee on Regulated Industries, and the Policy and Steering Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee.^[4]

U.S. House of Representatives

2010 Elections

Special

In late 2009, Deutch declared himself a candidate in a special election to fill the 19th congressional district seat formerly held by Robert Wexler, who left Congress to lead the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. He won the Democratic primary with 85% of the vote, and on April 13, 2010, won the special election, defeating Republican Edward J. Lynch.^[5]

Deutch's district is located on the East coast of Florida. It includes parts of Palm Beach and Broward counties.

General

Deutch was challenged by Republican nominee Joe Budd and write-in candidate Stan Smilan.^[6] He won the election.

2012 Elections

Redistricting

After Florida underwent redistricting in 2012, Deutch filed for re-election in Florida's 21st congressional district.^[1] Deutch won the November 6, 2012 general election with no major party opposition.^[7]

2014 Elections

In the general election, against token, write-in opposition, Deutch won with 99.6% of the vote.^[8]

Legislative Record

Shortly after his election, Deutch introduced the Preserving our Promise to Seniors Act, which aims to keep Social Security benefits in line with retirees' costs and gradually raises the cap on FICA taxes over a period of seven years.^[9]

During the 2011 debate regarding the debt ceiling, Deutch assembled and brought to the house floor an elaborate, game-show style to illustrate which government services he claimed would be endangered by a default on the U.S. national debt.^[10]

Constitutional Amendment

On November 19, 2011, Rep. Deutch introduced a resolution^[11] proposing "an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to expressly exclude for-profit corporations from the rights given to natural persons by the Constitution of the United States, prohibit corporate spending in all elections, and affirm the authority of Congress and the states to regulate corporations and to regulate and set limits on all election contributions and expenditures".

Rep. Deutch’s amendment is a blend of "ideas from "Move to Amend, Free Speech for People, Public Citizen, People For the American Way, Common Cause, and the Center for Media and Democracy".^[12]

Tenure

Deutch was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives on April 15, 2010.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere
  • Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa
• Committee on the Judiciary
  • Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
  • Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice
• Committee on Ethics

Creator of Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance

In 2013, a bipartisan, congressional group of Greek-Israeli members was created by Deutch and Gus Bilirakis, a Republican representative from Florida. The group, called the "Congressional Hellenic-Israel Alliance," was announced at a special Congressional event.^[13] The Greek-Israeli caucus consisted of members of the Democratic and Republican parties.^[14][15][16]

Personal life

Deutch is vegan.^[17]

References

1. Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State
2. Stone, Kurt F. (2010). The Jews of Capitol Hill: A Compendium of Jewish Congressional Members. Scarecrow Press. p. 625. ISBN 9780810877382.
3. "Arena Profile: Rep. Ted Deutch". Politico. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
4. "About Ted". Ted Deutch for Congress. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
5. Republican concedes; Deutch keeps Wexler's South Florida Congressional District Democratic
6. "Candidates and Races - Candidate Tracking system - Florida Division of Elections - Department of State". Election.dos.state.fl.us. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
7. Carney, Heather. "Hastings, Deutch, Wasserman Schultz win re-election". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
8. "November 4, 2014 General Election Official Results". Florida Department of State Division of Elections. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
9. "FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, A BIRTHDAY MAKEOVER". New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
10. "Rep. Ted Deutch spins 'GOP wheel of misfortune' on house floor". Crooks and Liars. Retrieved September 26, 2012. wheel
11. "Rep. Deutch Unveils OCCUPIED Constitutional Amendment". US Congressman Ted Deutch. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
12. "Finally, a Constitutional Amendment for the 99%". Nation of Change. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
13. http://www.americanhellenic.org/news/2013-02-15.php
14. Ambassador hosts congressional Hellenic-Israel caucus
15. New Greek-Israeli Committee in U.S Congress | USA.GreekReporter.com
16. Israel’s US envoy hosts meeting on Israeli-Greek-Cypriot ties | The Times of Israel
17. Anthony Man,"Going Vegan Was Winning Move for South Florida Congressman," Sun Sentinel, 12 September 2014.

External links

• Congressman Ted Deutch official U.S. House site
• Ted Deutch for Congress
• Ted Deutch at DMOZ
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress