Curt Clawson

Curtis Jay Clawson (born September 28, 1959) is an American businessman, former collegiate athlete, and politician who served two terms as the United States representative for Florida's 19th congressional district from 2014 to 2017, serving as a Republican. He is the former chief executive of Hayes Lemmerz, a Michigan-based automobile wheel and brakes supplier.

Clawson was elected to the House of Representatives in a special election in 2014, defeating Democrat April Freeman in a landslide. He was elected to a full term in 2014, defeating Freeman a second time.

Clawson did not seek a third term in 2016, and was succeeded by Francis Rooney.

Early life and education Clawson attended Batesville High School in Batesville, Indiana. A high school basketball star, he was recruited by Gene Keady.

In 1990, he earned an MBA from Harvard University. and won the election on June 24, 2014. In the April 22, 2014 Republican primary—the real contest in this heavily Republican district—Clawson defeated State Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto and former State Representative Paige Kreegel with 38% of the vote to Benacquisto's 26% and Kreegel's 25%. He spent $2 million on advertising and in one of his ads he challenged U.S. President Barack Obama to a game of one on one basketball.

On May 20, 2016, Clawson announced that he would not seek re-election that year, citing his desire to support his father in the aftermath of his mother's death the previous year.

Clawson was a member of the Congressional Constitution Caucus.

Electoral history

2014 (special)

2014