Pam Keith

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Pam Keith

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

University of California, Davis, 1990

Graduate

University of California, Davis, 1992

Law

Boston College Law School, 1995

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1995 - 1999

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1995 - 1999

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Pam Keith (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 18th Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Keith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Keith unsuccessfully ran in the Democratic primary for Florida's 18th Congressional District on August 28, 2018. Keith was also a 2016 Democratic candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from Florida. Keith was defeated by Patrick Murphy in the Democratic primary on August 30, 2016.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Pam Keith served in the United States Navy from 1995 to 1999. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of California, Davis, in 1990 and 1992, respectively, and a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1995. Keith's career experience includes working as an attorney.

Keith has been admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia, Indiana and Illinois. She has served as a board member of Faith, Love, Hope Charity, Inc., a mentor in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Riviera Beach, and a member of the Zeta Rho Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Elections

2020

See also: Florida's 18th Congressional District election, 2020

Florida's 18th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)

Florida's 18th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 18

Incumbent Brian Mast defeated Pam Keith and K.W. Miller in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 18 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Mast (R)	56.3	253,286
		Pam Keith (D)	41.5	186,674
		K.W. Miller (No Party Affiliation)	2.2	9,760

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 449,720
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Karen Vaughn (Unaffiliated)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 18

Pam Keith defeated Oz Vazquez in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 18 on August 18, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pam Keith	79.8	52,921
		Oz Vazquez	20.2	13,385

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 66,306
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 18

Incumbent Brian Mast defeated Nicholas Vessio in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 18 on August 18, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Mast	86.0	62,121
		Nicholas Vessio	14.0	10,081

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,202
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Florida's 18th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Florida District 18

Incumbent Brian Mast defeated Lauren Baer in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 18 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Mast (R)	54.3	185,905
		Lauren Baer (D)	45.7	156,454

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 342,359 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 18

Lauren Baer defeated Pam Keith in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 18 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren Baer	60.3	35,028
		Pam Keith	39.7	23,064

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,092
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 18

Incumbent Brian Mast defeated Mark Freeman and Dave Cummings in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 18 on August 28, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brian Mast	77.6	55,527
		Mark Freeman	11.3	8,096
		Dave Cummings	11.0	7,888

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 71,511
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: United States Senate election in Florida, 2016

The race for Florida's U.S. Senate seat was one of nine competitive battleground races in 2016 that that helped Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Incumbent Sen. Marco Rubio (R) defeated U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), Iraq war veteran Paul Stanton (L), and nine independent and write-in candidates in the general election, which took place on November 8, 2016. According to Politico, Rubio was “the first Republican senator from the Sunshine State ever to win reelection in a presidential election year.”

Rubio called Murphy "hyper-partisan," "a rubber stamp for, God forbid, a Clinton presidency," and accused him of fabricating his qualifications. Murphy criticized Rubio, saying, "Sen. Rubio has the worst vote attendance record of any Florida senator in nearly 50 years." Murphy's spokeswoman Galia Slayen said, "Marco Rubio is willing to abandon his responsibility to Floridians and hand over our country's national security to Donald Trump, as long as it advances his own political career."

In his victory speech, Rubio said, “[I] hope that I and my colleagues as we return to work in Washington D.C. can set a better example how political discourse should exist in this country. And I know people feel betrayed and you have a right to. Every major institution in our society has failed us — the media, the government, big business, Wall Street, academia — they have all failed us. So people are so frustrated and angry. But we must channel that anger and frustration into something positive. Let it move us forward as energy to confront and solve our challenges and our problems.”

U.S. Senate, Florida General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Marco Rubio Incumbent	52%	4,835,191
	Democratic	Patrick Murphy	44.3%	4,122,088
	Libertarian	Paul Stanton	2.1%	196,956
	Independent	Bruce Nathan	0.6%	52,451
	Independent	Tony Khoury	0.5%	45,820
	Independent	Steven Machat	0.3%	26,918
	Independent	Basil Dalack	0.2%	22,236
	N/A	Write-in	0%	160
Total Votes				9,301,820
Source: Florida Division of Elections

U.S. Senate, Florida Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Marco Rubio Incumbent	72%	1,029,830
Carlos Beruff	18.5%	264,427
Dwight Young	6.4%	91,082
Ernie Rivera	3.2%	45,153
Total Votes		1,430,492
Source: Florida Division of Elections

U.S. Senate, Florida Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Patrick Murphy	58.9%	665,985
Alan Grayson	17.7%	199,929
Pam Keith	15.4%	173,919
Roque De La Fuente	5.4%	60,810
Reginald Luster	2.6%	29,138
Total Votes		1,129,781
Source: Florida Division of Elections

U.S. Senate, Florida Libertarian Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Paul Stanton	73.5%	2,946
Augustus Invictus Sol	26.5%	1,063
Total Votes		4,009
Source: Florida Division of Elections

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Pam Keith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Keith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the daughter of a veteran and career diplomat who grew up learning about and projecting American values abroad. I am a tenacious and dogged advocate, who is relentless in achieving my goals. I am a patriot who fully understands that patriotism is not just loving America, its loving AMERICANS, the diverse group of individuals who make this country so much more than the sum of its parts.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The Presidency of Donald Trump, and the enabling of the Republican Party is an existential threat to survival of the United States as a democratic republic

• The people of this country and this district will not move into a future dominated by white supremacy, racism, anti-semitism or xenophobia

• Our government will be made to work for the benefit of the people, and we will categorically reject that its principle purpose is to drive our resources into the hands of the wealthy few

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting and defending the Constitution

Protecting voting rights and fair elections
Ensuring every American has lifelong portable health care
Ensuring that Americans not only have jobs but that their work is able to sustain themselves and their families
Address the existential threat of global climate change
Obtaining federal funding to fix the water management infrastructure in our district
Protecting and improving Social Security and Medicare for our seniors

Ensuring that our veterans get everything they need, including speedy, quality, comprehensive healthcare

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

There are three women who remain steadfast in my mind: Harriet Tubman, Shirley Chisolm and my grandmother Gertrude Keith. These were all women of immense talent and gargantuan fortitude. Whenever I feel weary, their memory shores me up and increases my resolve.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Unbought & Unbossed: The Story of Shirley Chisolm

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

First and foremost, EMPATHY. No amount of skill, expertise or intelligence matters if a leader does not care about the people. Second, HONOR. Always acting from a position of honesty, integrity and ethically sound judgment. The GOP has fully embraced a kind of carnivorous politics that excuses just about any outrageously indecent act, if it is done in the name of "owning the libs."

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

There is a difference between being a successful officeholder and a successful leader. I have no desire to pursue the former if it means sacrificing the latter. I will endeavor to never put my desire to remain office above the merit of the work that I do when I am there.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To be an advocate and champion for the people you represent when critical decisions are made about resource allocation and about the rules that will apply to the running of our country.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I made the decision to put my energies and expertise into making things better for others, and that I relentlessly and tenaciously pursued that calling for my remaining days.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The death of Elvis Pressley. It was a challenging time. My mother received a scholarship to the University of Kentucky, so we moved out to Lexington, KY with my uncle. I remember it vividly because it was the day I learned how to swim in the hotel swimming pool. When we came inside, the TV was announcing that Elvis had died. I had no idea who he was, but I could see so many crying and sad people, I just assumed it was a big deal. The manager at the hotel couldn't stop sobbing.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Aerobics and fitness instructor for World Gym. For approximately one year. It was my first real paycheck. I loved the gym environment and interacting with patrons. It could sometimes be exhausting, but it was a great first job. The

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - one of the most compelling female characters I have ever encountered.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Moana - she's courageous and just really cool

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Despacito by Luis Fonsi

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Always being an outsider.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

A permanent bi-partisan redistricting board that is demographically diverse and is overseen by a judge to make sure that all districts are drawn in a lawful and no-discriminatory way. I strongly oppose politically partisan gerrymandering.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It was designed by the Founding Fathers to be body that most closely reflects the electorate, and thus is entrusted with the responsibility of legislating in the interest of the people. The Founders believed that making Congressional representatives run for reelection every two years would force them to be more responsive to the people. Clearly, the Founders never envisioned the kind of dark money that could flow-into and subvert fair elections, nor did they envision an entire party embracing foreign interference in our elections.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. One does not need a title to be a leader. Quite often, those who have been in politics for an extended period of time get entrenched and become more focused on retaining their power and influence, than in serving their constituents. In my view, the single most important characteristic and qualification for a representative is EMPATHY. Our current representative is as callous and unconcerned with the wellbeing of the people in this district as the monster in the White House, and the feckless, irrational person in the Governor's mansion.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenge we face is modifying our government to make it work for the many and not just the few. If we resolve that, we can tackle the existential threat of global climate change, finally address and remove the vestiges of systemic racism, restore the dignity of work by ensuring living wages, and take the necessary steps to make healthcare a right enjoyed by every American from cradle to grave.

Everything we want, everything we can and should be, depends on removing the traitor currently occupying the White House, and removing every elected official who has abandoned their fidelity to free and fair elections and the rule of law. NOTHING is more important than that.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would really like to be on Veteran's Affairs committee and the Oversight committee.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I do support term limits. I am not sure that there is sufficient popular support for the Constitutional amendment necessary to institute Congressional term limits. But I believe that the popularity for it is increasing.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I think in my first term, I will focus my energies on address the immediate needs of the people as coronavirus ravages our country and we attempt to turn the tide on an economic recession.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Katie Porter

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I was most moved and impacted by the activism and passion of the youth who organized the March for our Lives events in our district. Their tenacity and moral clarity really inspire me.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2016

Keith issued the following statement regarding her bid for office:

“	My political philosophy is that the principal role of a representative of the people is to connect to, respect, understand and most importantly, advocate for the electorate. Therefore, a politician's chief job description is to be of service to others. I personally pledge that in every respect I will engage and remain a part of the constituency that I am seeking to represent. Our current political establishment has become a detached class of self-important individuals who spend less and less time with constituents and more and more time focused on servicing and responding to special interests. This is demonstrated by even small measures designed to insulate politicians from constituents by ensuring that there are always layers of staff or other barriers to keep people from connecting with their representatives. Those types of measures serve two purposes; they prevent the politicians from experiencing unpleasantness or having any emotional engagement, as well as, creating a perception of importance. Additionally, politicians have become virtually allergic to saying anything of substance upon which they could be criticized. They speak in well-polished, vague terms on uncontroversial principles, endlessly assuring voters that they will stand up for them, however most no longer engage in normal conversations with people-they are simply too important and guarded for that. Voters are hungry for real proposals and new ideas and I am running to present them with such ideas, even if that means that I subject myself to criticism.No single representative can change everything, nor can they accomplish much on their own, but I seek to start more profound and creative conversations around the issues most important to Americans. I am deeply patriotic. I love America, which to me, means loving Americans-all of them. Therefore I am truly committed to serving Americans to the best of my ability. I believe in our Democracy and our representative government. There is no greater honor than serving your country whether in uniform or as a civilian.	”
—Pam Keith,

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Pam Keith campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2020	U.S. House Florida District 18	Lost general	$1,674,663	$1,670,343
2018	U.S. House Florida District 18	Lost primary	$576,362	N/A**
Grand total			$2,251,026	$1,670,343
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also

2020 Elections

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Government

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External links

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Footnotes

[show]

Florida's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Ashley Moody (R)

Rick Scott (R)

Representatives

District 1

Jimmy Patronis (R)

District 2

Neal Dunn (R)

District 3

Kat Cammack (R)

District 4

Aaron Bean (R)

District 5

John Rutherford (R)

District 6

Randy Fine (R)

District 7

Cory Mills (R)

District 8

Mike Haridopolos (R)

District 9

Darren Soto (D)

District 10

Maxwell Frost (D)

District 11

Daniel Webster (R)

District 12

Gus Bilirakis (R)

District 13

Anna Luna (R)

District 14

Kathy Castor (D)

District 15

Laurel Lee (R)

District 16

Vern Buchanan (R)

District 17

Greg Steube (R)

District 18

Scott Franklin (R)

District 19

Byron Donalds (R)

District 20

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D)

District 21

Brian Mast (R)

District 22

Lois Frankel (D)

District 23

Jared Moskowitz (D)

District 24

Frederica Wilson (D)

District 25

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D)

District 26

Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

District 27

Maria Elvira Salazar (R)

District 28

Carlos Gimenez (R)

Republican Party (22)

Democratic Party (8)