Steve Southerland

William Steve Southerland II is a former U.S. Representative who served Florida's 2nd congressional district from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Southerland's tenure in Congress was marked by his business background and involvement in various legislative issues, particularly those related to agriculture, healthcare, and environmental regulations. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and has spent most of his life in Panama City, Florida, where he has deep familial roots. Southerland's political career included two terms in the House of Representatives, during which he faced both electoral victories and defeats, culminating in a narrow loss in his bid for re-election in 2014.

Early life and career

Steve Southerland was born on October 10, 1965, in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up in Panama City, Florida, where he has lived for most of his life. He is part of a family with a long-standing presence in Bay County, being the fourth generation to reside there. Southerland completed his secondary education at A. Crawford Mosley High School, graduating in 1983. He pursued higher education at Troy State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Additionally, he obtained an Associate of Arts degree in Mortuary Science from Jefferson State Junior College.

In the business sector, Southerland is known for his role as co-owner and president of Southerland Family Funeral Homes, a business established in 1955. He has also been involved in founding two other companies: Genesis Granite & Stone, LLC, and K & B Land and Timber Company, LLC. His contributions to the community extend beyond business; he was appointed by Florida's governor to serve as chairman of the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida and held a position on the Florida Board of Funeral Directors, where he served as chairman during his second term.

House tenure

Southerland's political career began with his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. He successfully won the Republican primary against several opponents, including Eddie Hendry and Ron McNeil, and received endorsements from notable political figures, including U.S. Congressmen and former governors. In the general election, he faced seven-term Democratic incumbent Allen Boyd, as well as independent candidates. The race was closely contested, and Southerland emerged victorious, securing 52 percent of the vote. His election marked a significant moment as he became the first freshman Republican to represent Florida's 2nd congressional district since its establishment in 1963.

In 2012, Southerland sought re-election and faced former State Senator Alfred Lawson Jr. in the general election. He won this race with a majority of the votes, reaffirming his position in Congress. However, his tenure came to an end in 2014 when he ran for re-election against Democrat Gwen Graham. Despite running unopposed in the Republican primary, Southerland lost the general election by a narrow margin, receiving just under 50 percent of the vote.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the House of Representatives, Southerland was involved in various legislative initiatives and served on multiple committees. He was a member of the Committee on Natural Resources, where he participated in the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs. Additionally, he served on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, contributing to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Southerland's legislative focus included a range of issues, particularly those affecting agriculture, healthcare, and environmental regulations. He expressed opposition to military intervention in Syria and was a supporter of the Amash–Conyers Amendment, which aimed to limit the National Security Agency's collection of records under the Patriot Act. He also voted against the 2014 Farm Bill, which proposed significant funding for crop insurance and subsidies for certain agricultural products.

In terms of healthcare, Southerland advocated for a replacement of the Affordable Care Act, proposing a system that emphasized free-market principles. He supported measures that would enhance access to health savings accounts and increase competition among insurance providers, while also endorsing the continuation of protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Additionally, he introduced the Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act of 2014, aimed at restricting the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from enforcing specific regulations concerning the nation's waters and wetlands.

Southerland's voting record earned him an evaluation of 83% from the American Conservative Union, reflecting his alignment with conservative principles. His involvement in various caucuses included membership in the Congressional Constitution Caucus, indicating his focus on constitutional issues.

In his personal life, Southerland is married to Susan Southerland, and they have four children. He is active in his local community, having served as Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. He has also been involved with the Florida State University Panama City Development Board and the Covenant Hospice Foundation Board. Southerland is a member of the National Rifle Association and was a founding member and former Vice President of the Bay Patriots, a local political organization.

Overall, Steve Southerland's career in the U.S. House of Representatives was characterized by his business background, legislative initiatives, and community involvement, reflecting a commitment to the interests of his constituents in Florida's 2nd congressional district.