Alabama Not Just Football: 30 Amazing People Who Were Built By Bama
Joe Scarborough
Joe Scarborough, currently the host of Morning Joe on MSNBC, is a 1985 graduate of the University of Alabama. After graduation from UA he continued his education at the University Of Florida College Of Law, then went into law practice in Pensacola.
In 1994, Scarborough was elected to the United States House of Representatives by Florida’s 1st Congressional district, taking the seat vacated by retiring Congressman Earl Hutto. He easily won re-election in 1996 and ran unopposed in 1998 and 2000. In the House, he served on the Armed Services, Judiciary, Government Reform and Oversight, and Education committees. In his third term, he served as chairman of the Civil Service Committee.
While in Congress Scarborough received several awards for his protection of small business and his commitment to taxpayers. Americans for Tax Reform and Citizens Against Government Waste recognized his vocal opposition to rising taxes. The 60 Plus Association presented him with their “Guardian of Seniors” award. The US Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses recognized his pro-small business positions.
Early in his fourth Congressional term Joe Scarborough announced his resignation, saying that he wanted to spend more time with his family. He then joined a prominent law firm as an environmental attorney. In 2002, he was appointed to the President’s Council on the 21st Century Workforce.
In July 2007, MSNBC’s Morning Joe started airing. Scarborough and his cohost Mika Brzezinski consistently earn high ratings with their news, analysis, and high-profile guests. Scarborough has been asked to run in several Florida elections since resigning from Congress in 2000. He has said that he believes he can have a greater impact from Morning Joe.