Congresswoman Sandra "Sandy" Adams is currently in her first term serving as the Representative of Florida’s 24th District in the U.S. House. Based in Central Florida, the 24th District includes parts of Brevard, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties, and is home to Kennedy Space Center and the Daytona International Speedway. As true public servant, Sandy brings concrete legislative experience, a no-nonsense attitude and a commitment to bringing fiscally responsible solutions to Washington, D.C.
Growing up in a military family, Sandy had the opportunity to travel across the United States and around the world as a child, learning first-hand about different regions and cultures. With family members having served in each of the military branches, Sandy understands what it means to serve one’s country and dedicate oneself to military service. That love of service and commitment to her country led Sandy to leave high school early and enroll in the United States Air Force at the age of 17.
During her time in the Air Force, Sandy was married to a fellow military member, which resulted with her leaving the military to start a family. While those family commitments kept her from making a career out of military service, Sandy has maintained a lifelong commitment to helping members of the Armed Forces in whatever way she can.
Years later, after her daughter was born, Sandy was faced with the difficult choice of whether or not to leave an abusive marriage and live with her daughter as a single parent. Like so many others across the nation, Sandy was now faced with the question of how to raise a child on one income while trying to make a better life for her daughter. Instead of turning to the state for help, Sandy challenged herself to work two and three jobs, all while she went back to school to get her GED.
That high school degree opened up a door for Sandy that would be life changing – working during the day and attending the police academy at night. After graduating Sandy served for seventeen years as a deputy sheriff in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, doing everything from road patrol, foot patrol, and pawnshop oversight to intelligence and undercover work. During her time at the Sheriff’s Office, Sandy found the time to go back to school at night and earn her degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College while putting her daughter through college at the University of Central Florida. Her career as a deputy sheriff was extremely rewarding and fulfilling, allowing Sandy to continue her public service to the Orange County community.
It was while serving as a deputy sheriff that Sandy met Frank Seton, a fellow deputy on the force. The two were married, and lived happily until he died tragically on duty. It was that terrible loss that caused Sandy to become an advocate for victim’s rights in Tallahassee, testifying before the state legislature and advocating for victims and citizens rights.
That same call to service that drew Sandy to volunteering for military service and signing up to keep our streets safe as a deputy sheriff made her choose to run for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Beginning her service in 2002, Sandy made a name for herself as a no-nonsense conservative who was tough on criminals, strong on homeland security issues, and knew how to balance a budget. Sandy completed her service in the Florida House in 2010 and joined the U.S. House of Representatives on January 5, 2011.
Born in Wyandotte, Michigan, Sandy is an alumna of Columbia College. Today, she and her husband, Judge John Adams live in Orlando. Together they have three children.
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