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1:10 A.M. — Between being a bowling coach,
fisherman, bookworm, activist and husband, Mike Lameyer is
finding time to run for public office.
In his first walk onto the political stage, Lameyer is vying
for the Republican spot in the State Senate District 25 race.
The district squeezes across the state from Palm Beach County
into parts of Lee.
Learn more and compare each candidate for the 2010 election
"All of that is a formula for the person I am."
Lameyer said.
With a passion for competition and a talent for helping the
community, Lameyer describes himself as an
aggressive-but-careful, outgoing person. "And I don't like
losing,'' he said.
But it was his frustration with the political landscape that
sparked his desire to run for office. Though he has attended
city council meetings in his hometown of Lake Worth in Palm
Beach County, he was motivated by what's happening in the
state, he said.
"There is no reason for the jobless activity in the
state of Florida," Lameyer said.
He's read and outlined scores of Senate legislation and spoken
with other state and local governments, and now, Lameyer said
he is ready to take on state politics and a job that pays
$30,000 annually.
After moving to Florida in 1970 from his home state of
Illinois, he married his wife, Karen, who works as a Palm
Beach County teacher.
Lameyer served in the Marine Corps for four years, during
Vietnam in active combat. He eventually went on to be a
commercial airline pilot and flight instructor. Of all the
jobs he has had, flying was his favorite, he said.
When the airline industry began to falter and he was laid off,
Lameyer started working for a technology investment company.
His love for research and knowledge would be key, he said.
Even before deciding to run, he spent time reading bills and
trying to understand the politics of the Legislature.
"I love the Internet," Lameyer said. "I like information, and
it's all right there."
Lameyer is a man with "very wide experience," said long-time
friend David Donnally from West Palm Beach. Donnally met
Lameyer when their daughters took dance classes together more
than 20 years ago.
Donnally said he can always count on Lameyer for honest,
well-informed thoughts, answers and opinions.
"He says what he thinks, and he says what the truth is
- whether you like it or not," Donnally said.
In his spare time, Lameyer coaches bowling. Though he hadn't
started until later in life, he was quick to catch on to the
game, he said.
Now, he works with Special Olympics to teach those with
special needs how to bowl.
"I'm always willing to help the community," Lameyer
said.
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