Joe Scarborough was elected to Congress in 1994 with 62% of the vote, becoming the first Republican to represent Northwest Florida since 1873. Joe was reelected three times with no serious opposition, even running unopposed in 1998 and 2000.
Scarborough served on the Armed Services, Judiciary, Government Reform, and Education committees.
Congressman Scarborough was one of a group of 40 GOP freshmen legislators who were called the "New Federalists" and possessed an unusual amount of power for young legislators, according to the National Journal. Joe was elected Political Director of the incoming class and was appointed as Republican task force chairman for education reform.
Scarborough had a conservative voting record on economic issues but was seen as moderate on environmental issues and human rights causes. Scarborough was the first congressman to pass legislation condemning Sudan for human rights abuses in the 1990s. As Civil Service Chairman, Scarborough was responsible for drafting and passing legislation that guaranteed long term care to federal employees. Bill Clinton called his bill “landmark legislation.” While in Congress, Scarborough also pushed through a groundbreaking bill that relocated hundreds of poor families from a toxic Superfund site. He also was responsible for passing legislation that renamed the Justice Department in memory of Robert F. Kennedy.
In May 2001, Joe announced his retirement from Congress. He was appointed to the President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce in 2002.
In April 2003, NBC hired Congressman Scarborough.
In 2004, Scarborough published the critically acclaimed book Rome Wasn't Burned in a Day. In August 2005, Scarborough confirmed reports that he had been asked by the Republican Senate Committee to challenge Senator Nelson's re-election bid.
Scarborough’s coverage and commentary for NBC during Hurricane Katrina drew praise, with the Chicago Sun-Times calling Scarborough "an independent voice" and the San Francisco Chronicle saying his show was "essential viewing." Historian David Brinkley’s best-selling book on Katrina praised Scarborough as the first national news reporter to draw attention to the government’s slow response on Katrina
Scarborough’s coverage and commentary for NBC during Hurricane Katrina drew praise, with the Chicago Sun-Times calling Scarborough "an independent voice" and the San Francisco Chronicle saying his show was "essential viewing." Historian David Brinkley’s best-selling book on Katrina praised Scarborough as the first national news reporter to draw attention to the government’s slow response on Katrina.
Scarborough can currently been seen on “Morning Joe” with co-host Mika Brzezinski. The three-hour political show airs weekdays from 6-9 am.
Scarborough lives in New York City with his wife, Susan, and their three children.
Joe Scarborough was elected to Congress in 1994 with 62% of the vote, becoming the first Republican to represent Northwest Florida since 1873. Joe was reelected three times with no serious opposition, even running unopposed in 1998 and 2000.
In May 2001, Joe announced his retirement from Congress. He was appointed to the President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce in 2002.
Scarborough’s coverage and commentary for NBC during Hurricane Katrina drew praise, with the Chicago Sun-Times calling Scarborough "an independent voice" and the San Francisco Chronicle saying his show was "essential viewing." Historian David Brinkley’s best-selling book on Katrina praised Scarborough as the first national news reporter to draw attention to the government’s slow response on Katrina.
