Les Miller (Florida politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Les Miller
Member of the Hillsborough County Commission from the 3rd district
In office 2011–2021
Preceded by	Kevin White
Succeeded by	Gwen Myers
Minority Leader of the Florida Senate
In office November 3, 2004 – November 7, 2006
Preceded by	Ron Klein
Succeeded by	Steven Geller
Member of the Florida Senate from the district
In office November 7, 2000 – November 7, 2006
Preceded by	Jim Hargrett
Succeeded by	Arthenia Joyner
Constituency	21st district (2000–2002) 18th district (2002–2006)
Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives
In office November 3, 1998 – November 7, 2000
Preceded by	Buzz Ritchie
Succeeded by	Lois Frankel
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 59th district
In office November 3, 1992 – November 7, 2000
Preceded by	Brian Rush
Succeeded by	Arthenia Joyner
Personal details
Born	(1951-04-21) April 21, 1951 (age 74) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Gwendolyn M. "Gwen" Martin
Children	Le'Jean M. Miller, Lesley J. Miller III
Education	University of South Florida (B.A.)

Lesley J. Miller Jr. (born April 21, 1951) is an American politician from the Democratic Party. He has served as a Hillsborough County Commissioner for the 3rd District since 2010. Before this, Miller was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000. He also served in the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2006. In 2006, he ran for Congress but was not elected.

Early Life and Career

Les Miller was born in Tampa in 1951. He briefly attended Bethune-Cookman College. From 1971 to 1974, he served in the United States Air Force. After his military service, he went to the University of South Florida. There, he was very active in student life. He became the president of the Student Government Association. He also represented students on the Florida Board of Regents and led the Black Student Union.

In 1977, Miller started working for the Tampa Electric Company. He retired from there in 1987. He also served on the Tampa-Hillsborough County Cable TV Board from 1981 to 1991. In 1982, Miller first ran for the Florida House of Representatives. He did not win that election. Later, in 1987, he was appointed to the Hillsborough City-County Planning Commission. He also ran for the Tampa City Council in 1988 but was not successful.

Serving on the Tampa City Council

In 1991, a special election was held for the Tampa City Council's 5th District. This happened because the previous councilman, Perry Harvey, was suspended from his duties. Les Miller decided to run for this seat, which covered many areas in East Tampa.

Miller's campaign focused on helping people find affordable homes. He believed that when people owned their homes, it made neighborhoods stronger. He also thought it would encourage more people to get involved in local government. In the first election, Miller won enough votes to move on to a runoff election. He was up against journalist Nadine Smith.

During the runoff, several people who had run against Miller in the first election supported him. The St. Petersburg Times newspaper also endorsed him. They praised his ideas for making Tampa a city with strong neighborhoods. Miller won the runoff election, beating Smith by a good margin. He did especially well in the district's Black neighborhoods.

However, Miller's time on the City Council was very short. After only 56 days, the former councilman, Perry Harvey, was found not guilty of the charges against him. This meant Harvey could return to his job on the council. So, Miller had to leave office. He had quit his previous job, so he was unemployed for a time.

Florida House of Representatives

In 1992, State Representative Jim Hargrett decided to run for the Florida Senate. This left his seat in the Florida House open. Les Miller decided to run for this open seat, which was now called the 59th District. He won the Democratic primary election without anyone running against him.

In the main election, Miller ran against Nancy Vildibill, the Republican candidate. Miller's campaign focused on increasing government spending for public education and healthcare. He also wanted to close tax loopholes for wealthy people and large companies. The St. Petersburg Times supported Miller. They said he had a good understanding of the issues in his district. Because the district usually voted Democratic, Miller won the election easily. He received 72% of the votes.

Miller was re-elected without any opponents in 1994 and 1996. He was chosen to be the Democratic Whip for the 1996–1998 session. This meant he helped lead the Democratic Party in the House. In 1998, Miller ran to become the Minority Leader for the Democratic Party in the House. He won this position. He was re-elected to his House seat in 1998 without opposition.

Florida Senate

In 2000, State Senator Jim Hargrett could not run for re-election because of term limits. Les Miller decided to run for his seat in the 21st District. This district included many Black neighborhoods in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Bradenton.

Miller faced Doug Jamerson, a former State Education Commissioner, in the Democratic primary. Miller was seen as the favorite to win because he had raised more money and represented more of the district in the House. The race was respectful, with both candidates highlighting their experience. Miller won the primary election with 54% of the votes.

In the general election, Miller ran against Rudy Bradley, a Republican. Miller focused his campaign on growing the economy and improving healthcare. He also criticized Bradley for changing parties. The district was strongly Democratic, so Miller won his first term in the Senate easily. He received 70% of the votes.

After the 2000 census, the districts were redrawn. Miller ran for re-election in the new 18th District without any opponents. The Senate Democratic group chose Miller to be their Minority Leader for the 2004–2006 legislative session. This was a special moment because it was the first time in Florida's history that Black lawmakers led both the House and the Senate at the same time.

2006 Congressional Campaign

In 2006, Congressman Jim Davis decided to run for Governor instead of seeking re-election. Les Miller decided to run for Davis's seat in the 11th District. This district covered much of the area Miller had represented in the State Senate.

Miller ran against Hillsborough County Commissioner Kathy Castor in the Democratic primary. Castor was the daughter of a well-known politician. Early polls showed Castor ahead of Miller. She also raised more money for her campaign. Both the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune newspapers endorsed Castor. They praised Miller's experience but felt Castor was a better choice for Congress. Castor won the primary election with 54% of the votes, while Miller received 34%.

Hillsborough County Commission

In 2010, Les Miller decided to return to elected office. He challenged County Commissioner Kevin White for his seat in the 3rd District during the Democratic primary. Miller focused on his own achievements in the legislature. He argued that the district's needs had not been met during White's time in office.

The Times newspaper endorsed Miller, saying his experience would help the district. Miller won the primary election with 51% of the votes. In the general election, he faced only a write-in candidate. He won his first term on the County Commission with 96% of the votes. He was re-elected without opposition in both 2014 and 2018.

Miller could not run for another term on the County Commission in 2020 because of term limits. He first announced he would run for Hillsborough County Clerk. However, a few months later, he decided to drop out of the race. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family and also mentioned his health issues, including severe arthritis.