Ric Keller (R-Disney World)
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Claims to fame: Republican Florida House representative (District 8/Orlando) since 2001; anti-gay (rated 0% by the HRC in 2006), anti-choice (rated 0% by NARAL in 2003), hardcore “family values” man; adulterer; divorcé
Moral apex: Mr. Sanctity of Marriage dumped his wife of ten years — who was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa — for a younger woman.
After becoming “close” with 23-year-old staff assistant Danielle “Dee Dee” Michel, gave Michel the position of campaign finance director. About a year after Keller started taking overnight trips with Michel, Keller and his wife, Cathy, separated. They divorced in 2003, and Keller married Michel in 2005.
Memorable observation:
One of the main efforts of the week was to rally people to urge their elected representatives to support the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would ban same-sex marriage in the Constitution. During the week, however, only Rep. Ric Keller, R-Fla., signed on as a co-sponsor of the amendment. (There are 97 co-sponsors for the measure, which was introduced in the House by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo.)— Tom Musbach
[Marriage Protection Week]
protected marriage very little
Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
October 17, 2003
Memorable quote:
I believe we should send people to Washington with sound moral character.— Ric Keller
2000 campaign ad
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Keller:
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.— Matthew 7:5
