Chris Latvala
Christopher John Latvala (born December 29, 1981) is a Republican politician who is currently serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives, he represents the 67th District, including Clearwater and Largo in northern Pinellas County, since 2014.
Chris Latvala | |
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 67th district | |
| Assumed office November 4, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Hooper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 29, 1981 Dunedin, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Valencia Community College (A.A.) University of Central Florida (B.A.) Chris Lowstuter High School Jacksonville, FL |
| Profession | Businessman |
History
Latvala was born in Dunedin, Florida, to Jack Latvala, formerly a Florida State Senator from the 20th District. After his parents divorced, he grew up with his mother in Jacksonville.
Latvala attended Valencia Community College, receiving his associates degree in 2002, and the University of Central Florida, receiving his bachelor's degree in history in 2004. Following graduation, he began working as State Representative Ed Hooper's legislative aide, a position that he held from 2006 to 2009. After leaving the legislature, Latvala began working at his father's company, GCI Printing Services, where he currently works as Vice-President.
Florida House of Representatives
In 2014, incumbent State Representative Ed Hooper was unable to seek re-election due to term limits, so Latvala ran to succeed him. He ran against veteran Christopher Shepard in the Republican primary, and campaigned on the experience that he gained while working for Hooper, noting that it "taught him the value of constituent services--helping individual citizens with their state government problems."[1] Latvala ended up defeating Shepard winning 67% of the vote, and advancing to the general election, where he faced the Democratic nominee, Steve Sarnoff. Latvala defeated Sarnoff, winning his first term in the legislature with 53% of the vote.
References
- Krueger, Curtis (July 12, 2014). "Son of Sen. Latvala, and Army vet, run for GOP nomination in Florida House 67". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
