Topic: Katherine Harris

Katherine Harris (born April 5, 1957, Key West, Florida) is an American Republican politician, former Secretary of State of Florida, and former member of the United States House of Representatives. Harris won the 2002 election to represent Florida's 13th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. She served in the Florida State Senate from 1994 to 1998. She held that post from 2003 to 2007. Harris lost the November 7, 2006, election to represent Florida in the United States Senate.

Harris rose to national attention due to her controversial role as Secretary of State of Florida during the 2000 presidential election.

Harris' family is one of Florida's wealthiest and most politically influential. Her father owned Citrus and Chemical Bank in Lakeland, Florida. Her grandfather was Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., a wealthy businessman in the citrus and cattle industries and a powerful figure in the state legislature, who, shortly before his death in 1990, was ranked as the 261st richest American on the Forbes 400 list. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida is named for him. Harris married Swedish businessman Anders Sven Axel Ebbeson (born March 16, 1945) in 1996 and has one stepdaughter, Louise.