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Katherine Harris (born April 5 1957), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 13th District of Florida. She was born in Key West, Florida, was educated at the University of Madrid in Spain, Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia and at Harvard University, and was a real estate broker, a member of the Florida State Senate from 1995-1998 and Florida Secretary of State (1999-2002) before entering the House.
While she was Secretary of State, Harris presided over the contested Presidential election of 2000 in Florida. It was Harris who certified that the Republican candidate, George W. Bush, had carried the State of Florida, thus giving him the election over Al Gore. Her ruling was challenged, and was overturned on appeal by the Florida Supreme Court, but was upheld upon further appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Harris has been accused of acting in a partisan manner in conducting the Florida election count. No allegations of misconduct have been proved. Her book, Center of the Storm, gives her version of events.
A brand-new Congressional district was chosen for Harris in 2002. Local papers of all partisan stripes refused to endorse her, and she surprised many by beating an unknown and cash-strapped Democrat with only 55% of the vote. Harris defeated the same opponent in 2004 with the same margin. Harris was very compelled by the idea of running for Bob Graham's open Senate seat; Republican officials were reportedly terrified about the bad memories such a race would revive with President Bush on the ticket as he had been 4 years earlier. In the end, Harris was persuaded to sit the race out; some believe she will run against Sen. Bill Nelson in 2006.
In a 2004 speech in Venice, Florida, she claimed that a "Middle Eastern man" was arrested for attempting to blow up the power grid in Carmel, Indiana; in fact, there is no record that such an arrest was made.
Harris was immortalized by comedienne Ana Gasteyer during the 2000-2001 season of Saturday Night Live. Harris was depicted as man-hungry, nakedly ambitious, and as wearing wardrobe and makeup that would put most drag queens to shame. The harsh attacks on Harris' physical appearance were considered a low point in the recount controversy. By the time of her Congressional campaign, Harris' look was softer and more subdued, leading some to believe she had plastic surgery.
External link
- House website
- House district map
- Katherine Harris weighs Senate run
- The Case Against Florida's Electors (website detailing misconduct charges against Harris)
- Katherine Harris shakes caricature (Fox News article defending Harris's record)
