Background
Metz, Larry Edward was born on March 20, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Harry Franz and Joan (Nye) Metz.
Metz, Larry Edward was born on March 20, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Harry Franz and Joan (Nye) Metz.
University of Florida (Associate of Arts, 1974. Bachelor of Arts, 1976). San Diego State University.
Florida State University (Juris Doctor, with high honors, 1983).
After graduation, Metz took graduate-level courses in public administration at San Diego State University, but did not graduate, instead attending the Florida State University College of Law, where he received a Juris Doctor in 1983. From 1980 to 1982, while in law school, he remained in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1983 he began private practice as an attorney, eventually starting Metz Law Firm, P.A. In 1992, Metz ran for Congress against incumbent Democratic Congressman Harry Johnston in the newly created 19th District, but he lost to Johnston, receiving only 37% of the vote.
When State Representative Carey Baker opted to run for the Florida Senate rather than seek re-election in the 25th District, which included northern Lake County and a few segments in northern Seminole County and southern Volusia County, Metz ran to succeed him in 2004.
He faced Alan Hays, Johnny Barto Smith, Randy Wiseman, and JoAnn Huggins in the Republican primary. Ultimately, Metz narrowly lost to Hays, winning 29% of the vote to Hays"s 35%.
Later that year, in 2004, he was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to serve on the Lake County School Board, and he was re-elected to that position in 2006. During his second term, he served two consecutive years as Chairman of the Board.
In 2010, when Hays ran for the Florida State House rather than seeking re-election, Metz ran in the 25th District once again to succeed him.
In the general election, he faced Frank Layne Wood, the Democratic nominee. The Orlando Sentinel endorsed Wood over Metz, noting that, "Mr. Metz wavers on SunRail, which the Legislature might see again.
And he hasn"t ruled out expanding offshore drilling or watering down oversight of growth." However, Metz defeated Wood in a landslide, receiving 64% of the vote.
When districts were reconfigured in 2012, Metz was drawn into the 32nd District, which included only a small portion of the territory that he had previously represented in the 25th District. In 2014, Metz was re-elected to his third term unopposed, as well.
While in the legislature, he sponsored legislation that targeted the Florida High School Athletic Association, which would "curtail the FHSAA"s power to investigate and make athletic eligibility rulings, revamp its governance structure with the addition of more political appointees, and set a 2017 expiration date on its status as the designated governing body for high school sports.".
Member Lake County School Board, 2004—2010. Chairman School Board, 2006—2008. Member Lake County Zoning Board, 2005—2010, Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2008—2010, Florida House Representatives, since 2010.
Member board director Four Corners Charter School, Davenport, Florida, 2004—2010. Alternate member board director Florida School Boards Association, 2006—2008, member, 2008—2010. Chairman Legislative Committee, Florida School Boards Association, 2008—2009.
Republican nominee United States House Representatives 19th district Florida, 1992. Area leader, sign co-chairman, speaker George Bush for President Broward County (Florida) Victory Committee, 1988. President Broward County Regional Republican Club, 1991, 1995.
Member executive committee Broward County Representatives, 1988—1991, 1993—1996, Lake County Representatives, since 1999. Republican candidate Florida House Representatives, 2004. Member Community Church Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, 1999—2003, chairman stewardship and finance committee, 2000—2002.
Member Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program, 1991—1997. Member of American Bar Association, Order of Coif, Lake County Bar Association, Marine Corps League (judge advisory North Lake detachment, Florida 2000-2003, trustee 2003-2006, color guard since 2000).
Married Mariko Tomisato, March 26, 1980. Children: Marla Jo, Christina Jill.