Katherine Harris Biography
Katherine Harris is an American politician, elected in 1998 as Secretary of State of Florida and in 2002 to the United States House of Representatives from Florida. A Republican, Harris won the 2002 election to represent Florida’s 13th congressional district, serving for two terms, from 2003 to 2007. Harris lost her campaign in 2006 for a United States Senate seat from Florida.
Regardless of one’s political views, the 2000 presidential election and Harris’s role in it had far-reaching consequences for American society and politics. The election highlighted the importance of fair and transparent voting techniques and the need for greater accountability and oversight in the electoral process. It also underscored the deep divisions in American society and the importance of protecting the rights of all citizens to vote and have their voices heard.
10 Quick Facts About Katherine Harris
- Name: Katherine Harris
- Age: 66 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 5 April
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Height: Average
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Politician and Secretary
- Marital Status: Widow
- Salary: To be Updated
- Net worth: $5 million
Katherine Harris Age
Harris is 66 years old as of 2023, she was born on 5 April 1957, in Key West, Florida, United States. She celebrates her birthday on 5 April every year and her birth sign is Aries.
Katherine Harris Height
Harris stands at an average height. She appears to be quite tall in stature in her photos, relative to her surroundings, are anything to go by. However, details regarding her actual height are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.
Katherine Harris Weight
Harris has a moderate weight. Her weight is publicly not available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Katherine Harris Early Life and Education
Harris was born on 5 April 1957, in Key West, Florida, to one of the state’s wealthiest and most politically significant families. She is the daughter of Harriett (Griffin) and George W. Harris Jr., who owned Citrus and Chemical Bank in Lakeland, Florida. Also, her maternal grandfather was Ben Hill Griffin Jr., a successful businessman in the citrus and cattle industries and a powerful figure in the state legislature. Shortly before his death in 1990, he was ranked as the 261st richest American on the Forbes 400 list. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida is named for him.
However, Harris graduated from Bartow High School in Bartow, Florida, in 1975. She attended the University of Madrid in 1978. Harris acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, in 1979. She studied under Christian theologian Francis Schaeffer at the L’Abri community in Huemoz, Switzerland. While in college, she interned for U.S. representative Andy Ireland.
Before joining politics, she worked as a marketing executive at IBM and as a vice president of a commercial real estate firm. Harris acquired an M.P.A. from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1996.
Katherine Harris Rise to Fame
Harris rose to fame during the 2000 United States presidential election, which was one of the most controversial and closely contested presidential elections in American history. Harris served as the Secretary of State of Florida at the time and was responsible for overseeing the state’s electoral process.
During the election, she became a central figure in the controversy over the vote recount in Florida. After the initial vote count showed a narrow margin of victory for Republican candidate George W. Bush, the state ordered a recount of the votes in certain counties. However, the recount was marred by confusion, legal challenges, and allegations of voter suppression.
Harris played a crucial role in the recount process, ultimately certifying the results of the initial vote count, which gave Bush a narrow victory in Florida and the overall presidential election. Her decision was controversial and drew criticism from many who felt that the recount had been mishandled and that Harris had acted in a partisan manner.
Harris’s involvement in the 2000 election and the controversy surrounding the vote recount propelled her into the national spotlight, and she became a well-known figure in American politics. She later ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and for the Republican nomination for Governor of Florida, but her legacy remains closely tied to her role in the 2000 election.
Katherine Harris Parents
Harris was born in Key West, Florida, United States as the daughter of Harriet Griffin Harris (mother), and the late George W. Harris, Jr. (father) who owned Citrus and Chemical Bank in Lakeland, Florida. Harris’ extended family has been active in Christian evangelism.
Katherine Harris Siblings
Any information about Harri’s siblings is publicly not available. It is not known if she has children. We will update this section once the information is available.
Katherine Harris Husband
Harris is a widow who was married to her Swedish businessman Anders Ebbeson. The couple do their wedding in 1996 and together they are blessed with one stepdaughter, Louise. Sven Ebbeson committed suicide in November 2013 at their home in Sarasota; he had reportedly been suffering from a serious illness.
Katherine Harris Children
Harris is the proud mother of one stepdaughter; Louise
Katherine Harris Net Worth
Harris has an estimated net worth of $5 Million dollars as of 2023. This includes her assets, money, and income. Her primary source of income is her career as a Politician and Secretary. Through her various sources of income, Harris has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Katherine Harris Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Katherine Harris;
Katherine Harris Wiki
- Full Names: Katherine Harris
- Popular As: Former Secretary of State of Florida
- Gender: Female
- Occupation / Profession: Politician and Secretary
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Katherine Harris Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 66 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Date of Birth: 5 April 1957
- Place of Birth: Key West, Florida, United States
- Birthday: 5 April
Katherine Harris Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: Average
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: To be Updated
- Hair Color: To be Updated
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Dress Size: To be Updated
- Breast Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
- Hip Size: To be Updated
Katherine Harris Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): George W. Harris, Jr.
- Mother: Harriet Griffin Harris
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): To be Updated
- Marital Status: Widow
- Dating/Boyfriend: To be Updated
- Children: Louise
Katherine Harris Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Salary: To be Updated
- Source of Income: Politician and Secretary
Katherine Harris Early Career Experiences
Harris is best known for her role as Florida’s Secretary of State during the 2000 presidential election, but she had a career in public service and politics prior to that.
Harris was born in Florida on 5 April 1957 and attended Agnes Scott College in Georgia, where she acquired a bachelor’s degree in economics. After college, she performed as a loan officer and real estate agent before entering politics.
Harris started her political career in 1994 when she was elected to the Florida Senate, representing the 20th district. She was reelected in 1998 and operated until 2002. During her time in the Senate, she concentrated on issues related to health care, education, and the environment.
However, in 1998, she ran for Florida Secretary of State and won, becoming the first Republican to hold the office in over 100 years. As Secretary of State, Harris was responsible for overseeing elections in Florida, and her role in the controversial 2000 presidential election made her a household name.
After leaving office in 2003, Harris ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006 but was beaten in the Republican primary by Charlie Crist. She has since operated as an author and television commentator and has been involved in different political and charitable organizations.
Katherine Harris Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
Harris has traveled extensively throughout her life, both for personal and political reasons. She has visited many countries, including Egypt, Israel, and Russia, and has met with multiple foreign leaders.
She has been involved in several humanitarian efforts throughout her life, including serving on the board of directors for the American Red Cross and working with organizations that provide aid to victims of domestic violence.
Harris is perhaps best known for her controversial role in the 2000 presidential election, in which she oversaw the vote recount process in Florida. Her decisions regarding the recount were heavily criticized and disputed, and the election ultimately ended up being decided by the Supreme Court.
Harris has crowned Miss Tampa in 1977 and Miss Florida in 1978, which allowed her to compete in the Miss America pageant. Although she did not win the national title, her participation in the pageant helped launch her career in public service and politics.
Nonetheless, she has been involved in various cultural events, including serving on the board of directors for the Sarasota Opera and participating in the Ringling Museum of Art’s annual “UnGala” fundraising event.
Katherine Harris Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
Harris served on the board of directors for the American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and support to those in need.
Harris has been involved with the Salvation Army, a Christian organization that provides social services and support to people in need, including homeless people and disaster survivors.
Harris has been involved with various educational organizations, including serving as a trustee for the New College of Florida and supporting organizations that provide scholarships and educational opportunities to underprivileged children.
She has been involved with healthcare organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
Harris has been involved with different political organizations, including serving on the executive committee of the Sarasota Republican Party and supporting conservative political causes and candidates.
Harris has been involved with organizations that support women’s issues, including serving on the board of directors for the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast Florida.
Katherine Harris Career
Harris is a former politician who served as the Florida Secretary of State from 1999 to 2003 and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 13th congressional district from 2003 to 2007.
She gained national attention during the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election, where she was responsible for certifying Florida’s electoral votes, which were highly contested due to the close vote count between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Her actions during the recount, including ordering a halt to manual vote counting, were controversial and drew criticism from many who felt that the process was unfair.
Following her time in politics, Harris made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2006 and has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures.
Katherine Harris Accomplishments
- In 1998, Harris was elected as Florida’s Secretary of State, becoming the first Republican to hold the office in over 100 years.
- As Secretary of State, she oversaw the 2000 presidential election in Florida, which ultimately ended up being decided by the Supreme Court. Her controversial decisions during the vote recount process made her a household name.
- Harris was elected to the Florida Senate in 1994 and served two terms, focusing on issues related to education, health care, and the environment.
- She has been involved with different philanthropic organizations throughout her life, including serving on the board of directors for the American Red Cross and supporting educational and healthcare organizations.
- Harris has crowned Miss Tampa in 1977 and Miss Florida in 1978, which helped launch her career in public service and politics.
- Harris has authored two books, “Center of the Storm: Practicing Principled Leadership in Times of Crisis” and “Good Intentions: Nine Hot-Button Issues Viewed Through the Eyes of Faith.”
Katherine Harris Legacy
Harris will always be recognized for her controversial decisions during the vote recount process in Florida in 2000. Her actions were heavily criticized by Democrats, who accused her of unfairly tipping the election in favor of George W. Bush. However, many Republicans saw her as a principled leader who stood up for what she believed was right.
She has also had many accomplishments throughout her career, including being the first Republican Secretary of State in Florida in over 100 years and serving in the Florida Senate. She has also been involved with various philanthropic organizations, including the American Red Cross and organizations that support education and health care.
Katherine Harris Anecdotes
During the 2000 presidential election, Harris was heavily criticized for her handling of the vote recount process in Florida. In one particularly memorable moment, she was caught on camera saying, “I can’t help it if I’m a celebrity.” The comment was widely interpreted as evidence that Harris was more concerned with her own image than with ensuring a fair election.
According to some reports, Harris was not always well-liked by her colleagues in the Florida legislature. One anecdote suggests that during a debate over a bill, Harris was so insistent on getting her way that she bit the hand of a fellow legislator who was trying to stop her from speaking.
Harris has been known to have a somewhat eccentric sense of style. During the 2000 election, she became known for her trademark bright red lipstick, which some critics called distracting and unprofessional. In later years, she experimented with different hairstyles and clothing styles, sometimes drawing criticism for her unconventional choices.
Harris has been known to have a flair for the dramatic. In her book “Center of the Storm,” she describes a moment during the 2000 election when she received a call from a mysterious man who claimed to have evidence of voter fraud. According to Harris, the man’s voice was “low and menacing,” and she worried that she was in danger. Later, she discovered that the man was actually a well-known prank caller who had targeted many other public figures.
In 2006, she ran for the U.S. Senate but lost to Democrat Bill Nelson. During the campaign, she was criticized for her unusual campaign ads, which featured her riding a horse and shooting a gun. The ads were widely panned as cheesy and out of touch with modern politics.
Katherine Harris Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions About Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris is an American politician, elected in 1998 as Secretary of State of Florida and in 2002 to the United States House of Representatives from Florida. A Republican, Harris won the 2002 election to represent Florida’s 13th congressional district, serving for two terms, from 2003 to 2007. Harris lost her campaign in 2006 for a United States Senate seat from Florida.
Harris is an American national born on 5 April 1957, in Key West, Florida, United States.
Harris stands at an average height, she has not shared her height with the public. Her height will be listed once we have it from a credible source.
Harris is a widow who was married to her Swedish businessman Anders Ebbeson.
Harris has an approximate net worth of $5 million. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles as a politician and secretary.
Details about Harri’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much she makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Harris is a resident of Amarillo and Sarasota, USA, we shall upload pictures of her house as soon as we have them.
Harris is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Harris is known for her role as the state’s chief election officer.
Katherine Harris Contacts
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