Larry Ahern (politician)
| Larry Ahern | |
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 66th district |
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Assumed office November 20, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Ben Albritton |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st district |
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In office November 16, 2010 – November 20, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Janet Long |
| Succeeded by | Steve Crisafulli |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 26, 1955 Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Maureen Byrne Ahern |
| Children | Lauren Ahern, Linday Anderson, Sarah Byrne |
| Profession | Small businessman |
Larry Ahern (born April 26, 1955) is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 66th District, which includes northwestern Pinellas County, stetching from Clearwater to Seminole, since 2012, previously representing the 51st District from 2010 to 2012.
Ahern was born in Detroit, Michigan, and served in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1977, including a tour at the Iraklion Air Station from 1975 to 1977. He then moved to the state of Florida in 1978, where he started a swimming pool remodeling business.
In 2010, Ahern ran for the Florida House of Representatives from the 51st District, which included parts of Pinellas County, against incumbent Democratic State Representative Janet Long. A contentious election ensued, in which Ahern campaigned on "conservatism and a business-friendly attitude," and in which Long aired a controversial television advertisement "in which her son, a war hero, characterized Ahern as a coward." Ultimately, Ahern defeated Long and Tea Party candidate Victoria Torres, receiving 50% of the vote to Long's 44% and Torres's 6%.
When Florida House districts were redrawn in 2012, Ahern was redistricted into the 66th District, which included most of the territory that he had previously represented in the 51st District. He was opposed by Mary Louise Ambrose, the Democratic nominee and the owner of an insurance agency. Ambrose was endorsed by the Tampa Bay Times, which criticized Ahern for voting "in lockstep with leadership and special interests to the detriment of his constituents." However, Ahern was re-elected over Ambrose with 53% of the vote.
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