Cliff Stearns (born April 16, 1941) is an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 6th congressional district from 1989 to 2013. A member of the Republican Party, Stearns was known for his conservative legislative record and his leadership roles on several House committees during his twenty-four years in office.
Stearns was born in Washington, D.C. He graduated from George Washington University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Following his graduation, he served as a captain in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1967, during which time he worked as an aerospace engineer. Before entering politics, Stearns was a businessman in the hospitality industry, owning and operating several motels in Florida.
First elected to the House of Representatives in 1988, Stearns represented a district that encompassed parts of North Central Florida, including Ocala and Gainesville. Throughout his tenure, he focused on issues related to telecommunications, energy, and commerce. He served as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he led high-profile inquiries into federal spending and regulatory compliance.
Stearns was noted for his consistently conservative voting record, frequently receiving high ratings from organizations such as the American Conservative Union. His legislative efforts included advocacy for fiscal restraint, Second Amendment rights, and national defense. In 2012, Stearns was defeated in the Republican primary by Ted Yoho. Since leaving Congress, he has worked in the private sector as a consultant and executive, specializing in public policy and government affairs.