Allen Boyd was the Democratic representative of Florida's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2011.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/florida http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000716 He failed to be reelected to an eighth term in the 2010 midterm elections, losing his seat to Republican opponent Steve Southerland.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/florida Boyd was one of four Democratic incumbents in Florida to lose his seat in the 2010 election.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/florida
In his last term in Congress, Boyd served on the Appropriations Committee and the Budget Committee.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/bios/#1241 He was also a member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, the Subcommittee on Defense and the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/bios/#1241
Biography
Boyd was born in Valdosta, Georgia in 1945.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000716 He graduated from Jefferson County High School in Monticello, Florida in 1963 and earned his bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1969.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000716 After graduating from Florida State, Boyd served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant in Vietnam for two years.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/bios/#1241 Boyd began his political career in 1989 when he was elected to the Florida State House of Representatives, where he served for seven years.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000716
Legislation
Boyd was considered one of the conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats in the House.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/florida/2 In his 2010 campaign, he claimed a record of creating jobs.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/florida/2 During his last term in Congress, Boyd supported the health care reform bill, TARP and the clean energy bill of 2009.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/florida/2 He voted no on the 2009 stimulus package.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/florida/2
Allen Boyd 2010 Campaign Ad
Boyd's record of supporting U.S. troops and veterans is highlighted in this campaign ad. It focuses on his fight to get pay raises for troops and to protect benefits for veterans. It also mentions his own experience as a Vietnam veteran, as well as his support of the largest increase in veterans' health care in history and the new G.I. bill, which helps veterans afford college.
References
Fast Facts
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Born
June 6, 1945
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Birthplace
Valdosta, Georgia
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Party
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Assumed office
January 1997
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Former profession
First lieutenant United States Army, farmer
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Alma mater
Florida State University
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Spouse
Cissy
