Biography of Adam Putnam

In January 2001, when the people Florida’s 12th Congressional District first sent Adam Putnam to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives, he was only 26 years old and one of the youngest members of Congress in History.

Ever since, Adam has been the voice for Florida’s 12th District in the Nation’s Capital.  In November of 2006, Republicans in the House chose Adam to be chairman of the Republican Conference, the third-highest ranking Republican in the House and the highest ranking member of congressional leadership from Florida of either party.

A fifth generation Floridian who grew up working on the family farm, Adam brings to Washington the values, leadership and sound judgment that reflect the people of Central Florida.  Recognized as a strong advocate for agriculture, food safety and wildlife conservation, Adam is also respected for his leadership on economic and national security issues.  His work on behalf of taxpayers, small business and senior citizens has been honored by such national organizations as Americans for Tax Reform, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the 60-Plus Association.

The respected non-partisan National Journal called him a “Republican to Watch” in 2003, and one year later named him one of the top 100 key government experts on homeland security matters.  His service in Washington has included work as a member of the Agriculture Committee, the Rules Committee, and chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.  Today he is also a member of the Financial Services Committee in addition to his leadership role.

"Adam Putnam has been rising through the ranks so fast that I would think he would get vertigo,” according to an editor at the non-partisan political newsletter, The Cook Political Report.

Adam says his leadership job is “to help turn the lights back on in the ‘idea factory.’” And it’s that down-to-earth approach that has not only fueled his rise, but made him such an effective representative for the people of Florida’s 12th Congressional District.

Here’s a sampling of what people are saying about Adam:

• "He's a very studied person of very complex issues; he doesn't just shoot from the hip.’" says Susan McManus, professor at the University of South Florida.
  US News & World Report
  December 2006
   
• “U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam is becoming an ever more important member of the Republican House leadership.” 
  The Tampa Tribune
  February 7, 2007
   
• "Even his ideological opponents … say they've been impressed by Putnam's grasp of the issues and eloquence in waxing about them.”
  The Orlando Sentinel
  July 9, 2007
   
• "Known as an expert on agriculture because of his upbringing, Mr. Putnam has built a solidly conservative voting record…. And … he said he sees opportunities to work with Democrats on issues such as expanding the use of electronic medical records and achieving energy independence.”
  The New York Sun
  March 25, 2008
   
• "Republicans cannot praise him enough….  The pressure is higher and the task is more public, but Putnam now is an integral strategist at the highest level.”
  The (Lakeland) Ledger
  January 21, 2007

Adam was born near the center of the 12th District, in the city of Bartow in 1974.  The 12th District includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1995 and promptly won election to the Florida House of Representatives, where he served from 1996-2000.  Today, Adam, his wife, Melissa, and their four children reside in Bartow.