By David Higgins, CQ Staff

Pronounced: KOSS-muss

Election: Defeated Rep. Tom Feeney , R

Residence: New Smyrna Beach

Born: Feb. 25, 1944; Washington, D.C.

Religion: United Methodist

Family: Divorced; four children

Education: Pennsylvania State U., attended 1961-63; George Mason U., attended 1971-73; Stetson U., B.A. 1998 (political science)

Career: Real estate company owner; Realtor; homemaker

Political highlights: Fla. House, 1996-2004

In the state House, Kosmas became known as a moderate who worked with Republicans on education, children’s issues and balancing budgets.

Kosmas supports pay-as-you-go budget rules and has said she will work to “rein in wasteful spending and ensure accountability.” She opposed tax increases in the Florida Legislature and supports a tax cut for the middle class.

She also supports large-scale infrastructure investments as a way to stimulate the economy.

Kosmas advocates for Democratic priorities such as universal health care and alternative energy; she opposed the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and now calls for a “responsible redeployment strategy” that will bring troops back home “as soon as possible.”