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Putnam To Seek Agriculture Post

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The Associated Press

Published: February 2, 2009

ORLANDO - U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, who quickly rose to power in Congress after being elected as a 26-year-old, said Sunday that he will give up his seat and run for Florida agriculture commissioner.

Putnam said he will file paperwork to officially enter the race today.

"Agriculture is in my DNA," Putnam said. "It's my professional background, it's my academic background, it's what my family is involved in to this day."

Putnam is from Bartow, where his family grows citrus and raises cattle. Five generations of his family have farmed in Florida.

Putnam, 34, was the third-most-powerful Republican in the House until he decided in November not to seek another term as chairman of the House Republican Conference. Before Republicans lost control of the House in 2006, Putnam was the fifth-most-powerful Republican member while serving as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.

Putnam was elected to the state House as a 22-year-old and won his congressional seat four years later. He serves on the Financial Services Committee and previously has served on the Agriculture Committee.

But he said he would rather help Florida as a Cabinet member than try to get consensus from 217 other House GOP members on legislation. He said agriculture, tourism and construction form a three-legged stool that props up Florida's economy, and he hopes to help the state by ensuring that farming remains stable.

Republican incumbent Charles Bronson is prohibited by law from seeking a third term as commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Two other Republicans have also begun campaigns, former state Rep. Marty Bowen and state Sen. Carey Baker. So far, no Democrats have entered the race.

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