ABOUT TOM

I’m Not a Career Politician

Growing up in my family, you learned to carry your own weight at an early age. My grandfather, son of a mill worker, taught all his children and grandchildren the values of hard-work, honesty, and generosity. A commitment to public service is something I grew up with and have continually been drawn to – in the Army, as a criminal prosecutor, and now as U.S. Congressman. I’ve worked hard to live my life the way my grandfather would have wanted: serve others, help out when needed, and always have the courage and strength to do what’s right…

Not a career politician
Growing up in Florida

Growing Up in Florida

My dad, one of five boys, moved our family south in 1984 and I was raised right here in South Florida. I graduated from high school in North Palm Beach. Upon graduation, I left to play football at Syracuse University and then Washington and Jefferson College.

After receiving my degree, I went to Washington, DC and worked for U.S. Senator Connie Mack and then returned home to attend the University of Florida where I earned a Masters Degree and later to the University of Miami Law School where I met my wife, Tara.

Service to our Country

Service To Our Country

After law school, Tara and I became commissioned officers in the United States Army, and we both served in the Army’s JAG Corps from 2000-2004. After being promoted to Captain, I became the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for all of Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the United States.

From there, Tara, our son, and I packed up and moved to West Point, NY where I began teaching Constitutional, Criminal, and Military Law to hundreds of cadets at the United States Military Academy.

Service to our community

Service To Our Community

Tara and I were Honorably Discharged from the Army and our family returned to Florida. I began working for then - Attorney General Charlie Crist as one of his top prosecutors. Continuing to follow through on the values I learned as a child, I became deeply involved with The Children’s Place at Home Safe – a charity that serves over 300 abused, neglected, and abandoned children. And in 2005, Governor Jeb Bush appointed me to the Board of the Children’s Service Council of Palm Beach.