W. Steube

William Gregory Steube is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 17th congressional district, a position he has held since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Steube has a background in both state and federal politics, having previously served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. His political career is marked by a commitment to conservative principles and support for various legislative initiatives aligned with his party's platform.

Early life and career

Gregory Steube was born on May 19, 1978, in Bradenton, Florida. He is the son of Brad Steube, who held the position of Sheriff of Manatee County, which likely influenced his early interest in public service and law enforcement. Steube completed his secondary education at Southeast High School, graduating in 1996. He then pursued higher education at the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in Animal Science in 2000. His academic journey continued at the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 2003.

During his time at the University of Florida, Steube was actively involved in campus life, notably as a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, which is known for its focus on agriculture and leadership. Following his graduation from law school, Steube joined the United States Army, where he attended the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) School at the University of Virginia. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 2004 to 2008, during which time he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This military experience provided him with a unique perspective on issues related to national security and veterans' affairs, which would later inform his legislative priorities.

House tenure

Steube's political career began in earnest when he ran for the Florida House of Representatives in 2010. After state representative Ron Reagan was unable to seek reelection due to term limits, Steube entered the race for the 67th District, which encompasses parts of southern Hillsborough County, eastern Manatee County, and northern Sarasota County. He received an endorsement from U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan, who highlighted Steube's knowledge of the district and its issues. In the Republican primary, Steube secured his nomination by defeating two opponents, garnering 53% of the vote. He then advanced to the general election, where he faced Democratic nominee Z. J. Hafeez and independent candidate John M. Studebaker. Both of his opponents shared similar stances on issues such as offshore oil drilling and medical tort law reform, but Steube emerged victorious, receiving 68% of the vote.

Following a redistricting process in 2012, Steube's district was renumbered to the 73rd District, which became more concentrated in Sarasota County. He won his party's nomination unopposed and faced Bob McCann, an independent candidate who had previously run against him in the Republican primary. The campaign highlighted differing views on Medicaid expansion and charter school funding, with Steube opposing Medicaid expansion while supporting charter schools. He was endorsed by the Bradenton Herald, which praised his qualifications and legislative accomplishments, particularly his efforts to place constitutional amendments on the ballot that would provide tax exemptions for the spouses of deceased military veterans and property tax relief for low-income seniors. Steube won the election with 74% of the vote and was subsequently reelected without opposition in 2014.

In 2016, Steube transitioned to the Florida Senate, running for the seat vacated by term-limited Nancy Detert in District 23. He successfully navigated the Republican primary, receiving 31% of the vote, and won the general election against Democrat Frank Alcock with a margin of 59% to 41%. His tenure in the Florida Senate lasted until 2018, when he decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2018, Steube sought the Republican nomination for Florida's 17th Congressional District, which was being vacated by Tom Rooney. He won the primary election held on August 28 and subsequently defeated Democrat Allen Ellison in the general election on November 6. This victory marked the beginning of his current term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Legislative focus and committees

Since taking office in the U.S. House, Steube has focused on a range of legislative issues that align with his Republican values. He has been a vocal advocate for repealing the Affordable Care Act, a significant point of contention in American health care policy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Steube expressed support for the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the virus, suggesting that regulatory barriers were preventing its use. However, this stance has been met with criticism from medical experts who assert that the drug is not effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.

In December 2020, Steube was among 126 Republican members of the House who signed an amicus brief in support of the Texas v. Pennsylvania case, which sought to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election. The Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear the case, citing a lack of standing. Steube also voted against certifying the electoral votes for Joe Biden on January 6-7, 2021, and opposed the second impeachment of Donald Trump shortly thereafter.

Throughout his tenure, Steube has introduced various bills aimed at addressing technology and privacy issues, including measures to restrict certain practices by technology companies. His legislative agenda reflects a commitment to conservative principles, particularly in areas related to health care, technology regulation, and election integrity.

As of now, Steube is serving his fourth term in the U.S. House, with his current term set to conclude on January 3, 2027. His ongoing work in Congress continues to shape the political landscape of Florida's 17th congressional district and reflects the priorities of his constituents and the Republican Party.