Sheriff’s son to run for state rep
Thursday, Jan 8th 2009
Bradenton Herald
By NATALIE NEYSA ALUND
nalund@bradenton.com
MANATEE — Greg Steube, U.S. Army veteran, attorney and eldest son of Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube, on Wednesday announced his candidacy for state representative.
Steube said he will run in 2010 as a Republican in District 67, comprised of portions of Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties.
District 67 is currently represented by state Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, who is unable to run again for the office due to term limits.
“I want to provide the strong leadership we need to improve the issues we face here in Florida,” Steube said in a news release. “
We need focus on the basics: opportunity for quality education, affordable health care, a stable housing market, strong business development and an economy that offers good, high paying jobs.
“I served in Iraq when the War on Terror was at its most trying time,” he continued. “I was also privileged to be serving during the beginning of the surge. I have seen how good leadership, clear focus on objectives and teamwork can reform a challenging situation. That is the type of focus and teamwork our state needs now.”
Steube said Reagan, who endorsed Steube, has “served with distinction.” Reagan, with just under two years left on the seat, said although he’ll be sad to go, he is optimistic about Steube potentially taking the seat.
“I’m excited about his future, I’m actually excited for our district,” Reagan said in a phone interview from Tallahassee, where the Legislature is in a special session on the state budget. “I believe he will make a great rep.”
Steube’s father has also endorsed him. “His mother and I are very proud of him, and I am confident he will make a wonderful state rep,” said the sheriff, whose youngest son, Grant, is a deputy with his office.
Former Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells, who’s known Greg Steube since he was young, called him the man for the job.
“I’m proud of what he’s done with himself,” Wells said. “He’s qualified. He’s a man that made good with his life and his career regarding getting his law degree and serving in Iraq.”
Others endorsing Steube, according to a news release, include state Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, former state senators Pat Neal and John McKay, Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and Sarasota County Sheriff Tom
Knight.
“With all those endorsements, he definitely has a fine start,” said Joan Shirey, president of the East Manatee Republican Club.
“I do think he will make a fine (representative),” she said. “He’s young, a nice looking fellow ... and he has a name.”
Born and raised in Bradenton, Steube graduated from Southeast High School in 1996. He then attended the University of Florida where he got an undergraduate degree with honors in animal science and a minor in agricultural law.
In 2003, he graduated from University of Florida with a law degree. In his final year of law school, Steube enlisted in the Army. After a year in the infantry, he transferred to the Army JAG Corps where he completed his final three years of
service, he said. As a captain in the Army JAG Corps, Steube acted as a legal assistance attorney, administrative attorney, operational law attorney, the chief of detainee operations and criminal trial counsel.
Steube is an associate at the law firm of Macfarlane, Ferguson, and McMullen, working in the firm’s Tampa office. He practices general civil litigation.
“Basically, what he did was start his career in public service, not only to our community, but our country,” Sheriff Steube said. “He’s always talked about running for a legislative seat because he was so intrigued by politics. It’s
something that he’s always wanted.”
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