Mike Hill (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Hill
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office November 6, 2018 – November 3, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Clay Ingram |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Salzman |
| Constituency | 1st district |
| In office March 4, 2014 – November 8, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Clay Ford |
| Succeeded by | Frank White |
| Constituency | 2nd district |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Bryan Hill
June 2, 1958 Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Greta Hill |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | United States Air Force Academy (BS) University of West Florida (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1980–1990 |
| Awards | Air Force Achievement Medal Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
Walter Bryan "Mike" Hill (born June 2, 1958) is a politician from Florida. He is a member of the Republican Party. Mr. Hill served in the Florida House of Representatives. He represented the Pensacola area. He served from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2018 to 2020.
Contents
Mike Hill's Time in the Florida House
Becoming a State Representative
In 2013, a state representative named Clay Ford passed away. He had represented Florida's 2nd District. Mike Hill decided to run in the special election to fill this open seat. A special election is held when a political office becomes empty before the next regular election.
In the Republican primary election, Mike Hill won with 42 percent of the votes. A primary election is where members of the same political party choose their best candidate. The Pensacola News Journal supported him. They said his military and business experience made him a strong candidate.
First Election and Re-election
In the main election, Mike Hill ran against Jeremy Lau, a candidate from the Democratic Party. Even though Mr. Lau had support from others, Mike Hill won easily. He received 58 percent of the votes. This win made him the only African-American Republican in the Florida Legislature at that time.
In 2014, Mike Hill ran for re-election. He faced Jeremy Lau again. The Republican Party of Florida fully supported Mr. Hill. They said he understood what people in his district wanted. This included more money for education and lower taxes. Mike Hill won by a large margin again. He received 65% of the votes, while Mr. Lau received 35%.
Running for the Florida Senate
In 2016, Mike Hill decided not to run for the Florida House again. Instead, he ran for a seat in the Florida Senate. He competed against Doug Broxson in the Republican primary. Mr. Hill lost this election, getting 43.5% of the votes. Mr. Broxson won with 56.5%.
During this election, there were questions about where Mike Hill lived. The Escambia County Property Appraiser's office looked into his residency. Mr. Hill explained that his wife and children lived in one house. He lived separately in a rented apartment on Pensacola Beach.
Returning to the Florida House
In 2018, Mike Hill successfully ran for the Florida House again. This time, he represented House District 1. He won the Republican primary against Rebekah Bydlak and Lisa Doss. Then, he defeated Vikki Garrett, the Democratic candidate, in the general election.
In the 2020 election, Mike Hill ran for re-election. However, he was defeated in the Republican primary. Michelle Salzman won that primary election.
Mr. Hill tried to get elected to the House again in the 2022 election. He was once more defeated in the Republican primary by Michelle Salzman.
