Background
McKeel, Seth was born on June 5, 1975 in Lakeland, Florida, United States. Son of Seth Douglas McKeel and Ellen (Tucker).
McKeel, Seth was born on June 5, 1975 in Lakeland, Florida, United States. Son of Seth Douglas McKeel and Ellen (Tucker).
McKeel attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1997 with a degree in political science. After graduation, he studied British politics abroad in the United Kingdom at the Florida State University London Study Centre.
In 2000, McKeel was elected to the Lakeland City Commission, where he served until December 2005. In 2006, incumbent State Representative Dennis A. Ross opted to run for re-election in the 64th District rather than the 63rd, where he had previously been elected, creating an open seat. In both 2008 and 2010, McKeel was elected unopposed.
Following the reconfiguration of legislative districts in 2012, McKeel was drawn into the 40th District, which was based entirely in Polk County and included most of metropolitan Lakeland.
That record is very public, and I am proud of lieutenant" Ultimately, McKeel turned away Lima"s challenge, winning election to his final term in the legislature with 64% of the vote. When Chief Financial Officer of Florida Jeff Atwater was under consideration to be President of the Florida Atlantic University in 2014, when he was running for re-election, McKeel was considered a possible candidate to replace Atwater on the ballot as the Republican nominee.
Ultimately, however, Atwater was not selected and instead successfully ran for re-election.
His opponent largely campaigned on replacing most politicians with fresher faces, while McKeel defended his record, noting, "I ran my first campaign on my vision for my hometown and a deeply rooted belief in limited government and fiscal conservatism.
Board member McKeel Academy Technology Charter Schools, since 1997, chairman, 2000—2004. Board member Volunteers in Service to the Elderly, 1999—2008, Imperial Symphony Orchestra, vice president, 2003, president, 2005—2006. Chairman Young Patriots Foundation, since 2001.
Member of Kiawanis Club of Lakeland.
Married Kimberley McKeel, October 26, 2002. Children: Seth D. III, Caroline.