Meet Keith

Keith Perry was born on December 3, 1958 in Tallahassee, Florida to Nathan W. Perry, Ph. D., a Korean War Veteran, and Doris Perry, a local community activist and stay-at-home mom. After serving his country, his father served as the department chair of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida for more than 20 years.

Keith grew up in Florida with his three siblings. He has lived in Gainesville for 46 years and attended Buchholz High School. The summer of 1976, just after his high school graduation, he and a friend decided to try roofing for some extra money before starting college. The part-time job quickly became a passion, and eventually a career. He never did make it to college, instead choosing to start Perry Roofing Contractors with just a ladder and a dream.

Over a decade later, Perry Roofing quickly became a Top 100 roofing company with numerous awards, 150 employees and three offices opened across the state. However, it was his personal life that took center stage when he married his wife Amy. They have been married for 16 years and have two beautiful daughters.

“I would not be who I am without my family. My kids drive me to help make a better world for them, and my wife is my support and inspiration in those efforts. When I look at them, I know I can’t stand idly by and just watch as government makes decisions that affect their lives and future forever.”

Keith Perry’s involvement extends from his family and business into his community. He has served as the President of House of Hope, a Christian-based rehabilitation program for newly-released prisoners, since its inception in 1996.

“This program is so powerful. I have a specific plan, inspired by my involvement with the House of Hope, to bring positive, real change to our prison system. The cost for incarcerating inmates is a huge burden for tax payers.”

He is also an active supporter of the Habitat for Humanity where he donates the labor for their new homes. Occasionally, he can be found atop one of these roofs himself helping a first-time homeowner literally put a roof over their head. Other interests include the Boy’s and Girl’s Club, the Dignity Project and the Reichert House. He serves on the board of the Salvation Army and has been active with the Women’s Center for over 20 years.

He is passionate and realistic about conservation and the environment. His company, Perry Roofing, was recently awarded the 2009 Business of the Year Award for Commitment to the Environment by the Alachua County Chamber of Commerce.

He and his family enjoy Gator football, spending time at the lake and eating out. Some of Keith’s favorite local restaurants are Café Gardens, Napolatano’s, Felix’s and Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse in Ocala. They have been active members of First Assembly of God in Gainesville for five years. He is also a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Keith has been involved in politics, mostly behind the scenes, for over 20 years. He was a campaign manager for Senator Steve Oelrich and has been an active Chamber of Commerce board member. He was a primary leader in the campaign against the recent Gainesville city Transgender Ordinance and volunteered in the Don Marsh campaign for Gainesville mayor.

“We cannot keep striving to convince politicians to change the way they vote. Instead, we must elect leaders who are philosophically aligned with us from the beginning. In order to have confidence in the decisions being made, we have to send representatives from our own team to Tallahassee. People who are less concerned with being re-elected and more concerned with the people they are supposed to be representing.”

ISSUES:

Agriculture: We need to continue to grow our agriculture base and allow our farmers to farm. We should protect the greenbelt classification of farms and do everything in our power to keep this pillar of our state’s economy strong.

Jobs:  The country needs an estimated 125,00 new jobs per month to keep up with the population increase. Government and the public sector should not be in the business of creating jobs. Instead, the government should create a pro-business environment that allows the job market to thrive. This is the only way it can work long term–with proper community planning for job growth.

Taxes: I will fight to lower your taxes and put your hard-earned money back in your pocket where it belongs. Property taxes, corporate taxes, and fees of every kind have become too heavy of a burden on taxpayers. As a business owner for over 30 years I know how to balance a budget and work with what I’ve got–not take more! I will fight to eliminate excess spending, funding only aspects of government that are necessary.

Health Care: I am against the mandated health care that is soon to be forced on people across the country. Instead, we should be investing in medical schools to spur research and help create the best doctors possible. Insurance companies should be allowed to sell across state lines. This combined with further tort reform would help lower the high price of medical insurance. Healthcare for our seniors is also important. Senior health care needs to protected and affordable.

Infrastructure: If we are to become a manufacturing state again, the state cannot afford to forget about infrastructure. Our ports needs to be able to accept the largest ships and our roads should be in a state to handle more driving. Our transportation trust fund should not be raided in these tough budget times as a quick fix as Floridians will pay the price later on.

Energy: At the core of a sustainable business environment is the vital need for reliable energy. We need to increase our own production while also looking into other forms of energy. Research in forms of renewable energy should be a priority and once they become cost-efficient, they should be utilized across the state. We should look into nuclear energy and relax the excessive regulation it takes to build a reactor.

Education: As a father of 2 school-aged children, I know that education is the future of our state. We must work to not only improve our workforce but also keep our best and brightest right here in Florida. This will encourage businesses to come where the talent and hubs of innovation are. We should implement a voucher program and stop throwing money at schools and instead invest in students. Moreover, we should improve vocational schools so everyone has an opportunity to succeed in Florida whatever their industry. I will support 65% of all education funding going directly to the classroom-where it’s needed most and demand high standards of learning and accounatbility.

Water: Water will be one of the biggest issues for Florida as we head into the next decade. As sources become more limited, it is time Florida developed a strategy now to eliminate waste and preserve our resources. Water-rich North Florida cannot afford to fill all the needs of South Florida. We must continue to allow agriculture access to water, as it is a foundation from which our state’s economy is built. Desalination plants should be looked into and lessons should be learned from the problems with the Tampa Bay desalination plant.

Immigration: The total annual budget for the removal of illegal immigrants who have been ordered deported is $7.89 BILLION! It’s obvious we need to protect our borders and if the federal government cannot do this, then states should be able to adopt appropriate measures. Amnesty should not be given to those here illegally. We must enforce the laws we have or all laws are diminished.  Public tax money should not go to services for those here illegally. Once again, a more streamlined governmental process (for legal entry and visas) will help eliminate years of waiting that encourages illegal entry.

Right to Life: I am Pro-Life and believe that life begins at conception. I will fight to protect the unborn. Public money should not be given to agencies and programs whose purpose it to end a life, instead the funding should go to those agencies that favor adoption. I was in favor of the recent vetoed Florida bill that would have mother’s have an ultrasound before making the choice to have an abortion. This is not about manipulating their decision. It is about making sure every woman considering abortion is fully informed that the decision they are making involves, not simply “tissue mass,” but an actual being.

Second Amendment: As a gun owner myself, I believe in an American’s right to bear arms. I will fight to protect American’s right to own guns as the Founding Father’s intended.