# Bruce Kyle

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**Bruce Kyle** (born 1969) is an American politician and judge from [Florida](/source/Florida). He has served as a Judge on the [Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court](/source/Circuit_court_(Florida)) since 2007. Prior to his election as judge, he served as a [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) member of the [Florida House of Representatives](/source/Florida_House_of_Representatives) from 1998 to 2006.

## Early life and career

Kyle was born in [Fort Myers, Florida](/source/Fort_Myers,_Florida).[1] He attended [Emory University](/source/Emory_University), receiving his [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor's_degree) in 1991, and then attended the [St. Thomas University College of Law](/source/Benjamin_L._Crump_College_of_Law), receiving his [Juris Doctor](/source/Juris_Doctor) in 1994.[1] Kyle then attended the [Villanova University School of Law](/source/Villanova_University_School_of_Law), receiving his [master of laws](/source/Master_of_laws) in taxation in 1995.[1] He began working as an assistant state attorney in the 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office, prosecuting juvenile and domestic violence offenses, and later felony drug crimes.[2]

## Florida House of Representatives

In 1998, Democratic State Representative [Keith Arnold](/source/J._Keith_Arnold) declined to seek re-election, and instead opted to run for [Governor](/source/1998_Florida_gubernatorial_election).[3] Kyle ran to succeed him,[2] and faced a crowded Republican primary. He placed first in the primary, receiving 34 percent of the vote, and advanced to a runoff election with businessman Jim Fleming,[4] who placed second with 27 percent of the vote.[5] Kyle ultimately defeated Fleming in a landslide,[6] receiving 65 percent of the vote.[7]

Kyle faced Democratic nominee Frank Mann Jr., an attorney and the son of former state legislator [Franklin B. Mann](/source/Franklin_B._Mann), in the general election.[8] Aided in part by [Jeb Bush](/source/Jeb_Bush)'s victory in the [gubernatorial election](/source/1998_Florida_gubernatorial_election), Kyle defeated Mann,[9] winning 54 percent of the vote to Mann's 46 percent.[10]

In 2000, Kyle ran for re-election and was challenged by attorney Maria Lara Peet, the Chair of the [Lee County](/source/Lee_County,_Florida) Democratic Party.[11] Kyle entered the campaign as the frontrunner, significantly outraising Peet, though declining to debate her at a forum hosted by the [League of Women Voters](/source/League_of_Women_Voters), citing a schedule conflict.[12] Kyle ultimately defeated Peet in a landslide,[13] receiving 62 percent of the vote to her 38 percent.[14]

In Kyle's second term, he joined with several other conservative first- and second-term state legislators to form the Freedom Caucus in the state House. The group, which included Kyle, [Connie Mack IV](/source/Connie_Mack_IV), [Joe Negron](/source/Joe_Negron), [Carey Baker](/source/Carey_Baker), [Mike Haridopolos](/source/Mike_Haridopolos), Donald Brown, Jim Kallinger, [Jeff Kottkamp](/source/Jeff_Kottkamp), and [Chris Hart IV](/source/Chris_Hart_IV), set out to oppose a tax reform plan by State Senate President John McKay, and launched radio advertisements in opposition to the plan.[15]

Following the reconfiguration of Florida's legislative districts after the [2000 Census](/source/2000_United_States_census), Kyle explored a campaign for the [State Senate](/source/Florida_Senate),[16] but he was drawn into the same district as incumbent Republican State Senator [Burt Saunders](/source/Burt_Saunders),[17] and he ultimately decided to seek re-election.[18] Kyle was challenged in the Republican primary by attorney Mike McQuagge, a former [University of Florida](/source/Florida_Gators_football) quarterback.[19] He ultimately defeated McQuagge by a wide margin, receiving 62 percent of the vote to McQuagge's 38 percent.[20] In the general election, Kyle faced Christie Norman, the president of the Democratic Women's Club of Lee County, and Libertarian Kim Hawk.[21] He won re-election in a landslide, winning 63 percent of the vote to Norman's 34 percent and Hawk's 3 percent.[22]

Kyle was re-elected unopposed in 2004 to his fourth and final term in the state House.[23]

## Twentieth Judicial Circuit

In 2006, Kyle was term-limited and unable to run for a fifth consecutive term in the state House. Accordingly, he ran for a seat on the [Twentieth Judicial Circuit Court](/source/Circuit_court_(Florida)), which included [Charlotte](/source/Charlotte_County,_Florida), [Collier](/source/Collier_County,_Florida), [Glades](/source/Glades_County,_Florida), [Hendry](/source/Hendry_County,_Florida), and [Lee](/source/Lee_County,_Florida) counties in [southwest Florida](/source/Southwest_Florida).[24] He defeated attorney Steve Holmes in the nonpartisan primary election by a wide margin,[25] winning 61 percent of the vote to Holmes's 39 percent.[26]

Kyle was re-elected without opposition in 2012,[27] 2018,[28] and 2024.[29]

## References

1. ["Bruce Kyle"](https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4161). Florida House of Representatives. 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Parker, Betty (September 23, 1997). ["Assistant state attorney goes for seat in House"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178776657/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Goldschmidt, Keith (April 13, 1998). ["Legislative duo make last stands in legislature"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178776298/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Hoyem, Mike (September 2, 1998). ["Fleming, Kyle to face runoff for District 73"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178776376/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 7A. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["September 1, 1998 Primary Election - Republican Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=9/1/1998&RACE=STR&PARTY=REP&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 1998. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. ["7 state districts count runoff results"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times/178776943/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. October 2, 1998. p. 3B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["October 1, 1998 Runoff Election - Republican Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=10/1/1998&RACE=STR&PARTY=REP&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 1998. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Parker, Betty (October 2, 1998). ["Five votes puts Mann on top"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777058/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 12A. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (November 4, 1998). ["GOP's Kyle defeats Mann"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777192/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 1A. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["November 3, 1998 General Election - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/3/1998&RACE=STR&PARTY=&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 1998. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Parker, Betty (June 2, 2000). ["Lee Democratic leader Peet to challenge for Kyle seat"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777348/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (November 3, 2000). ["Challengers take on House incumbents"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777431/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 4B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (November 8, 2000). ["All four Lee incumbents chalk up easy victories"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777530/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 5. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["November 7, 2000 General Election - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/7/2000&RACE=STR&PARTY=&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 2000. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Klas, Mary Ellen (January 12, 2002). ["Lawmakers form panel to promote tax limits"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/178778637/). *[The Palm Beach Post](/source/The_Palm_Beach_Post)*. p. 1B, 6B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (January 31, 2002). ["Livingston to run for Saunders' seat"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777840/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Kam, Dara (March 27, 2002). ["Lee County disputes proposed district map"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/florida-today/178778029/). *[Florida Today](/source/Florida_Today)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (March 31, 2002). ["Lee County candidate could win split Senate seat, former rep says"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178778214/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2D. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (March 4, 2002). ["Local attorney to challenge Kyle"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178777687/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 2B. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["September 10, 2002 Primary Election - Republican Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=9/10/2002&RACE=STR&PARTY=REP&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 2002. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Fullerton, Wendy (September 11, 2002). ["Kyle swamps McQuagge, eyes third term"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178778434/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. 4A. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["November 5, 2002 General Election - Official Results - State Representative - District: 73"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=11/5/2002&RACE=STR&PARTY=&DIST=073&GRP=&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 2002. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Parker, Betty (July 17, 2004). ["Few incumbents face opposition, celebrate re-election wins"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178778532/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. A3. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Parker, Betty (June 19, 2006). ["Judgeship races change constantly"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178779384/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. B1. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Ogles, Jacob (September 6, 2006). ["Kyle apparent winner in Group 14"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-press/178779586/). *[The News-Press](/source/The_News-Press)*. p. A11. Retrieved August 12, 2025. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["September 5, 2006 Primary Election - Nonpartisan Primary - Official Results - Circuit Judge - Circuit: 20 Group: 14"](https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=9/5/2006&RACE=CTJ&PARTY=NOP&DIST=020&GRP=014&DATAMODE=). *Florida Department of State Division of Elections*. 2006. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. ["18 jurists to face retention elections, 72 races set for the trial court ballot"](https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/18-jurists-to-face-retention-elections-72-races-set-for-the-trial-court-ballot/). *Florida Bar News*. May 15, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. ["Judicial races set"](https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/judicial-races-set/). *Florida Bar News*. June 1, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

1. Ash, Jim & Killian, Mark D. (April 30, 2024). ["Justices Francis and Sasso, 23 DCA judges to stand for merit retention; circuit and county judicial races set"](https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/justices-francis-and-sasso-23-dca-judges-to-stand-for-merit-retention-circuit-and-county-judicial-races-set/). *Florida Bar News*. Retrieved August 12, 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bruce Kyle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Kyle) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Kyle?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.