13 Facts About Ray Sansom

Ray Sansom was born on July 11,1962 and is an American politician who was a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing portions of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties from 2002 to February 21,2010.

Ray Sansom received his bachelor's degree in political science from the Florida State University in 1984 and his master's degree in education from the University of West Florida in 1993.

Ray Sansom received the Okaloosa County Management Association's Presidents Award in 1999 and the Association of Counties, Freshman of the Year award in 2003.

Ray Sansom was elected Speaker of the Florida House on November 18,2008.

Ray Sansom temporarily stepped down on January 30,2009, following a scandal over accepting an unadvertised job.

Ray Sansom was formally charged with third-degree felony grand theft and conspiracy.

Ray Sansom's resignation was on the eve of his criminal trial for misappropriation of state tax dollars.

Ray Sansom received the Okaloosa County Management Association's Presidents Award in 1999.

In 2008, Ray Sansom was one of the driving forces pushing to create an "oversight board for community colleges that emphasizes undergraduate education".

Also in 2008, Ray Sansom was appointed Vice President for Development and Planning at NWF State College - his former alma mater from his hometown.

In December 2008, an unnamed resident of Clearwater, Florida, filed a complaint against now Speaker of the House Ray Sansom asserting that over a period of two years he had secured about $35 million in extra or accelerated funding for Northwest Florida State College in spite or other statewide budget cuts.

On January 6,2009, at the urging of Republican leaders, Ray Sansom resigned from his post as vice president of development at Northwest Florida State College amidst statewide criticism.

Ray Sansom wrote an open letter, published in his district's newspaper, the Northwest Florida Daily News, to clarify his position.