About TedTed Deutch

Congressman Ted Deutch was elected to represent Florida’s 19th district in the United States House of Representatives by a Special Election on April 13, 2010. Prior to his election, Ted served four years in the Florida State Senate. Ted is known as a hardworking, talented legislator and a rising Democratic voice in Florida. Ted’s priorities in Congress include strengthening the health and financial security of America’s retirees, creating economic opportunity for small businesses and families in South Florida, and protecting the national security interests of the United States, Israel, and our international allies. Ted serves on the House Foreign Affairs and House Judiciary Committees, both of which oversee critical issues of importance to South Florida.

Ted hit the ground running in Washington, D.C. after his election with important legislative initiatives on behalf of Florida’s 19th district. Ted’s Preserving our Promise to Seniors Act, which strengthens and improves Social Security, was featured in the New York Times. Ted has also partnered with the United States House of Representatives Seniors’ Task Force to introduce a Seniors Bill of Rights, a collection of principles aimed at strengthening Social Security and Medicare and ensuring that seniors can live lives of dignity. Ted has also authored two new pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening existing Iran sanctions that have been included in a comprehensive bipartisan sanctions package for the 112th Congress. His interest in national security matters and the Middle East is inseparable from his lifelong activism in the pro-Israel community.

As a Florida State Senator, Ted earned national recognition for passing legislation making Florida the first state in America to use divestment as a tool aimed at thwarting Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The language of Ted’s law was later incorporated into sanctions legislation at the federal level as part of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010. Within Ted’s first month in Congress, the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Intergovernmental Affairs asked for Ted’s expertise on divestment and the identification of companies supporting Iran’s energy sector.

Ted also passed legislation in Florida that reduced smoking across the state and funded critical health care programs, including cancer research. In Congress, he has continued this advocacy for increased medical research and improved access to health care for all. Organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, and the Florida Education Association have recognized Ted for his work on behalf of seniors, children, and working families.

Ted considers the opportunity to serve in Congress a great honor and a continuation of his lifelong commitment to bettering the community and the world. This commitment to service has earned him prominent awards, including the prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholarship and the James and Marjorie Baer Leadership Award from the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

Ted Deutch, 45, was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is the youngest son of Jean Deutch and the late Bernard Deutch, a World War II veteran who earned a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge. After graduating from Liberty High School in 1984, Ted went on to study at the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School. Ted and his wife of 20 years, Jill Deutch, moved to South Florida in 1997. They live in West Boca Raton with their 16-year old twin daughters, Gabrielle and Serena, and their 12-year old son, Cole.

AWARDS

  • American Cancer Society, National Distinguished Advocacy Award, 2009
  • Univeristy of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine Legislative Champion, 2009
  • American Jewish Congress Distinguished Civic Achievement Award, 2009
  • Florida Bar Family Law Section, Chair's Award for Legislative Excellence, 2009
  • Florida Bar Equal Opportunities Law Section, Equal Opportunities in the Profession Award, 2009
  • Florida Hospital Association, Legislator of the Year, 2009
  • Private Care Association of Florida, Legislator of the Year, 2009
  • American Social Health Association, Legislator of the Year, 2008
  • Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award, 2008
  • FEA, Champion for Public Education, 2008
  • FACTE, Legislator of the Year, 2008
  • Palm Beach County League of Cities, Legislator of the Year, 2008
  • ORT America, Tikkun Olam Award, 2008
  • Healthy Florida Alliance, Legislator of the Year, 2008
  • American Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year, 2008, 2007
  • Florida AFL-CIO, Legislator of the Year, 2007
  • FEA, Friend of Education Award, 2007
  • Boca Delray Democratic Club, Person of the Year, 2007
  • Miami Herald, "Freshman Most Likely to Succeed", 2007
  • Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, James and Marjorie Baer Leadership Award
  • South Florida Business Journal, Up and Comer's Award Finalist
  • Harry S. Truman Scholarship Recipient
  • United Jewish Communities National Young Leadership Cabinet
  • American Israeli Public Affairs Committee New Leadership Network