Early life, education, and business career

Posey was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Beatrice (née Tohl) and Walter J. Posey. His mother's family immigrated from Russia and is of Jewish heritage. Posey moved to Florida in 1956, as his father took a job in engineering with NASA. In 1969, he graduated from Brevard Community College with an Associate of Arts degree.

He obtained his own work at NASA, but was laid off at the end of the Apollo Space Program. From 1974 to 1976, Bill Posey worked on the Rockledge Planning Commission. In 1976, he was elected as a member of the City Council, and from 1986 to 1992, he was a member of the Brevard County Business and Industrial Development Commission. Posey then founded his own real estate company in the 1970s. He later became director of the state Association of Realtors. While serving in local politics, he also became a researcher on government accountability and transparency.

Florida legislature

In 2006, Posey authored Activity Based Total Accountability, which outlines his suggestions for improving American politics.

While serving in the state legislature, Posey was a chief sponsor of a bill designed to modernize the Florida election process, in response to the 2000 presidential election controversy. He also worked to revise insurance policy, so as to aid hurricane victims.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2008 § District 15

In 2008, Posey ran to replace retiring U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon, who had occupied the 15th District seat since 1995, when the district first voted Republican. He was opposed by Democrat Stephen Blythe, and the independent, libertarian leaning Frank Zilaitis. Posey won with 53% of the vote, defeating his closest challenger, Blythe, by 11%.

2010

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2010 § District 15

Posey won re-election against former NASA executive and public administrator Shannon Roberts.

2012

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Florida, 2012 § District 8

Posey won re-election with nearly 60% of the vote against Democratic nominee Shannon Roberts and non-partisan candidate Richard Gillmor.

2014

Main article: United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Florida,_2014 § District_8

Posey won re-election with 65.84% of the vote against Democratic candidate Gabriel Rothblatt.

Tenure

Bill Posey is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

On March 12, 2009, Posey introduced into the United States House of Representatives H.R. 1503. Posey claims that the bill, which would require future presidential candidates to provide a copy of their original birth certificate, is a reaction to claims that President Barack Obama is not a natural born U.S. citizen. Critics, including the editorial board of The Orlando Sentinel, have claimed that the bill further perpetuates the theories.

When asked whether or not he believed Obama to be a natural born citizen, Posey remarked that his beliefs on the matter were irrelevant. Posey's bill gained the support of 12 Republican co-sponsors.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
• United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
  • United States House Science Subcommittee on Space
  • United States House Science Subcommittee on Oversight
• Liberty Caucus
• Republican Study Committee

[ Source: Wikipedia ]