Frank Attkisson

Frank Attkisson
Member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 79th district
In office
2000–2008
Preceded by Irlo Bronson
Succeeded by Mike Horner
Constituency Osceola, Orange, Okeechobee and Polk counties
Mayor of Kissimmee, Florida
In office
1996–2000
Preceded by John Pollet
Succeeded by George Gant
Personal details
Born (1956-11-02) November 2, 1956
St. Petersburg, Florida
Political party Republican
Children 3
Alma mater Florida Southern College

Frank C. Attkisson (born November 2, 1956) is a Florida politician. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 and as the mayor of Kissimmee, Florida from 1996 to 2000. Attkisson is a former County Commissioner for Osceola County, Florida, having been defeated in 2014.

Biography

Early life and education

Attkisson was born in St. Petersburg, Florida. Before graduating from Winter Haven High School in 1973, Attkisson served as the Florida state president of National FFA Organization. Attkisson earned an associate's degree from Polk Community College in 1976 and a B.S. in Business Management from Florida Southern College in 1977. Attkisson began his career working for then-Governor Bob Graham in Tallahassee, Florida.

Career

After serving on the Kissimmee Planning Advisory Board, Attkisson was appointed to the Kissimmee City Commission to fill the vacancy left by mayor Bruce Van Meter resigning from the city commission in order to run for state representative.[1] He resigned in 1992 to run for the Florida House of Representative seat held by Irlo Bronson, but Bronson won 55 percent of the vote.[2] Attkisson returned to various positions serving the city of Kissimmee until 1996, when he was elected mayor.[3]

Attkisson ran for the Florida House of Representatives seat held by Irlo Bronson once more in 2000, but this time Bronson was not incumbent due to term limits. Attkisson narrowly won over Democrat Donna Hart.[4] He was reelected in 2002,2004,and 2006. During his tenure in the Florida House, he was noted for his involvement in "Terri's Law" on the Terri Schiavo case and standardizing the minimum amount of acreage required for property owners to have the opportunity to attain the yearly agricultural tax break offered by the state. He was a member of the Education K-20, Education Appropriations, Local Government & Veterans Affairs, Business Regulation, Telecommunications, and the Finance and Tax Committees, and chaired the Education Innovation subcommittee and the Government Efficiency & Accountability Council (2006–2008).

In 2010 Attkisson was elected to the Osceola County Commission and in 2012 was elected as the Chairman of the board. Attkisson is up for reelection in 2014.

Marriage and children

Attkisson married in September 1979. The couple has three children.

References

  1. Hill, Jenise Griffin (1990-10-04). "Van Meter's slot going to Attkisson". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1. [Attkisson] was appointed to fill a seat that will be vacated when Mayor Bruce Van Meter steps down... Vice Mayor John Pollet will move into the mayor's seat and Attkisson will replace Pollet as the Seat 2 representative.
  2. Mitchell, Peter (1992-11-04). "State House; Shepard edges Rep. McEwan, Couch leading Rep. Stone". Orlando Sentinel. p. A12. In District 79, Democratic state Rep. Irlo "Bud" Bronson of Kissimmee beat back Republican challenger Frank Attkisson, winning 55 percent of the vote.
  3. Bouma, Katherine (1996-11-08). "A fresh start is bright hope in Kissimee". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1. Mayor-elect Frank Attkisson also is a known quantity because of his former service on the board.
  4. Mercer, Pamela (2000-11-09). "Attkisson squeaks by opponent". Orlando Sentinel. p. D4.
5. Attkisson, Christopher J. 12-4-2012, Son
Preceded by
John Pollet
Mayor of Kissimmee, Florida
19962000
Succeeded by
George Gant
Preceded by
Irlo Bronson
Member of the Florida House of Representatives for the 79th district
20002008
Succeeded by
Mike Horner
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