DeeDee Ritchie (born September 22, 1953) is an American politician from Pensacola, Florida.[1]
DeeDee Ritchie | |
|---|---|
 Ritchie in 1998 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 3rd district | |
| In office 1998–2000 | |
| Preceded by | Buzz Ritchie |
| Succeeded by | Holly Benson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1953 Leesville, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Buzz Ritchie |
| Residence | Pensacola, Florida |
| Alma mater | Auburn University University of Nevada, Las Vegas |
Personal life
editRitchie was born on September 22, 1953, in Leesville, Louisiana. In 1975 she graduated from Auburn University, and in 1979 she graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a masters in education. During her time in college she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. She has a career in education and won Florida Teacher of the year award in 1990, and was inducted into the Florida Teaching hall of fame in 1998.[2][1] DeeDee was married to congressman Buzz Ritchie for 5 years, but they were separated and on the way to divorce when DeeDee ran for office.[3]
Political career
editRitchie's political career started in 1998 when she ran to fill the seat left by her estranged husband Buzz Ritchie retiring.[3] She ran in the primary with an endorsement from her ex-husband, and would beat John Wyche.[4] In the general election she would beat Paul Young by almost 10%.[5]
In 2000 she would run for the 1st district of the Florida Senate. During the election she was called out by her opponent Durell Peaden for running negative and misleading advertising.[6] In the general election Ritchie ended up losing to Peaden by over 15%.[7]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Durell Peaden | 83,982 | 58.0% | |
| Democratic | DeeDee Ritche | 60,734 | 42.0% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | DeeDee Ritche | 13,590 | 54.1% | |
| Republican | Paul Young | 11,527 | 45.9% | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | DeeDee Ritche | 3,854 | 52.9% | |
| Democratic | John Wyche | 2,351 | 47.1% | |
References
edit- ^ a b "DeeDee Ritchie - 1998 - 2000 ( Speaker Thrasher )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Ritchie". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b Lewis, Sonja (Feb 27, 1998). "DeeDee Ritchie to seek house". Newspapers.com. Pensacola News Journal. p. 29. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "Enough is Enough Durell Peaden ad". Pensacola News Journal. 2000-11-03. p. 28. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ a b "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2024-04-20.