{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Steve Perman | image = Steve Perman.jpg | office = Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 78th district | term_start = November 2, 2010 | term_end = November 6, 2012 | predecessor = Kevin Rader | successor = Heather Fitzenhagen <small>(redistricting)</small> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|3|26}} | birth_place = Queens, New York | spouse = Irene Budd | children = Benjamin, Arielle | education = Emory University<br>New York Chiropractic College (D.C.)<br>University of Miami Miller School of Medicine | occupation = Chiropractic physician | party = Democratic }}

'''Steven M. "Steve" Perman''' (born March 26, 1957) is a Democratic politician and chiropractic physician who served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 78th District from 2010 to 2012.

==Early life and career== Perman was born in Queens, New York. He attended Oceanside High School and Emory University, and received his doctor of chiropractic degree from the New York Chiropractic College in 1979. He worked as a chiropractor and moved to Florida in 1993, where he continued his work.<ref name="Perman bio">{{cite web|title=Steve Perman|publisher=Florida House of Representatives|url=https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4515&LegislativeTermId=84|access-date=August 16, 2025}}</ref>

==Florida House of Representatives== In 2006, Perman challenged incumbent State Representative Richard Machek for re-election in the Democratic primary in the 78th district, which stretched from coastal communities in Martin County, Palm Beach County, and St. Lucie to agricultural communities in the Everglades in Okeechobee County. He ran in the Democratic primary with the support of State Representative Irving Slosberg.<ref>{{cite news|last=Slife|first=Erika|title=Two-way race pits old-style Florida against the new in changing district|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|date=August 17, 2006|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|page=1B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/179220386/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> Perman attacked Machek for his ineffectiveness in the legislature, and arguing that Democrats in the legislature had a "lack of energy and lack of quality communication.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wolfe|first=Kelly|title=Machek faces challenge from fellow Democrat|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|date=August 14, 2006|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|page=1B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/179220284/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> Ultimately, Machek narrowly defeated Perman, winning renomination with 54 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=September 5, 2006 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 78|date=2006|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=9/5/2006&RACE=STR&PARTY=DEM&DIST=078&GRP=&DATAMODE=|website=Florida Department of State Division of Elections|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>

Machek was term-limited in 2008, and Perman again ran to succeed him, facing Steve Nichol, a former journalist and director of communications for the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Court, and Kevin Rader, an insurance agent, in the Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Dwayne|title=House foes battle over 'intangibles'|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|date=July 31, 2008|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|page=4B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/179220888/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> Rader narrowly defeated Perman, though the race was close and not initially called on election night,<ref>{{cite news|last=King|first=Dale M.|title=Rader tops field of three|newspaper=Boca Raton News|date=August 31, 2008|location=|page=2A|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/boca-raton-news/179221331/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> with Rader receiving 38 percent of the vote to Machek's 36 percent, and Nichol's 26 percent.<ref>{{cite web|title=August 26, 2008 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 78|date=2008|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=8/26/2008&RACE=STR&PARTY=DEM&DIST=078&GRP=&DATAMODE=|website=Florida Department of State Division of Elections|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>

In 2010, Rader opted against seeking a second term to unsuccessfully run for the Florida Senate, and Perman was elected to succeed him unopposed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Turner|first=Jim|title=Chiropractor joins Treasure Coast legislative delegation|newspaper=The Stuart News|date=June 19, 2010|location=|page=A12|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-stuart-news/179221493/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>

Perman ran for re-election in 2012 in the 81st district, which was based exclusively in Palm Beach County, and Rader ran against him in the Democratic primary.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bennett|first=George|title=Rader to run again for state House|newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|date=June 7, 2012|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|page=A2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/179221605/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> The ''Sun Sentinel'' endorsed Perman over Rader, praising Perman for "do[ing] an adequate job representing his district's interests" and for "serv[ing] the state as a whole well," noting that his legislative record "shows a willingness to work with others across the aisle and shows promise of future bipartisan efforts."<ref>{{cite news|title=Choose Perman for House District 81|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|date=August 11, 2012|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|page=A14|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/179221730/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> Rader ultimately defeated Perman by a wide margin, winning 57 percent of the vote to Perman's 43 percent.<ref>{{cite web|title=August 14, 2012 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 81|date=2012|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=8/14/2012&RACE=STR&PARTY=DEM&DIST=081&GRP=&DATAMODE=|website=Florida Department of State Division of Elections|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>

In 2014, when Democratic State Representative Jim Waldman was term-limited, Perman ran to succeed him in the 96th district, which included Coconut Creek, Margate, and Parkland in northeastern Broward County. He faced Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs in the Democratic primary, and won endorsements from Waldman, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, and Congressman Alcee Hastings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sweeney|first=Dan|title=Open seat attracts two experienced canddiates|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|date=August 9, 2014|location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|page=B3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel/179221999/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref> Jacobs ultimately defeated Perman in a landslide, winning 76 percent of the vote to his 24 percent.<ref>{{cite web|title=August 26, 2014 Primary Election - Democratic Primary - Official Results - State Representative - District: 96|date=2014|url=https://results.elections.myflorida.com/DetailRpt.Asp?ELECTIONDATE=8/26/2014&RACE=STR&PARTY=DEM&DIST=096&GRP=&DATAMODE=|website=Florida Department of State Division of Elections|access-date=August 18, 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perman, Steve}} Category:Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives Category:People from Queens, New York Category:People from Boca Raton, Florida Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:New York Chiropractic College alumni Category:American chiropractors