'My community nurtured me': Dennis Ross talks about 'reaching across the aisle' in memoir

LAKELAND – Generosity from two of Lakeland’s most prominent business leaders partly led to Dennis Ross’ aspirations to get into politics.

As a young boy, Ross met with Publix founder George Jenkins and Florida Tile founder Jimmy Sikes about a program for boys he wanted to attend in Washington, D.C. Ross didn’t have the money, so the two men stepped up and paid for the trip.

“Instances like that and the Lakeland community really helped shape my future and desire to be in the political arena,” said Ross, 64, who was The Ledger’s first recipient of the Silver Garland Award in the Citizenship category in 1977. The Silver Garland Awards are service awards given to high school seniors who have used their talents in specific categories to give back to the community.

Those aspirations led Ross into a 26-year career in state and national politics that began in 1992 as a legislative aide. Over those decades, Ross tackled a diverse range of issues critical to Florida. A conservative Republican, Ross often had to reach across the aisle to find amiable solutions to Florida problems from constituents in the Democratic, Independent and other parties.

Those experiences, ups and downs, defeats and accomplishments led Ross to publish his autobiography: “Reaching Across the Aisle: Reflections on My Experiences in Politics.”

Published Jan. 16, the 149-page autobiography-memoir describes his rise and endeavors as a statesman in Florida politics – from his hometown Lakeland roots where he was born and raised, to running his future wife’s campaign for high school class president, to being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for four consecutive terms.

Ross served eight years in the U.S. House — two from Florida's 12th congressional district and six from the 15th district.

From South Lakeland, where he lives with his wife, Cindy, Ross said it was the Lakeland and Polk County community that taught him what it took to became a successful and accomplished politician.

“That’s one of the reasons I felt compelled to write about this, because my community nurtured me into my aspirations for politics,” he said.

The son of Bill and Loyola Ross and youngest of five children, Ross graduated from Lakeland High School in 1977. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Auburn University in 1981 and a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Homewood, Alabama, in 1987. He went on to serve in the Florida legislature from 2000 to 2008 and was elected to Congress in November 2010.

Ross retired from Congress in 2019 and became the director of the American Center for Public Leadership at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where he’s a professor of political science.

“I was concerned about the direction of the country, and I didn’t think Congress could save itself from itself, or the country, and I felt I needed to follow through with what I believed was important – and that was coming back into the community, getting into education,” he said, “I knew that writing this book would tell my story and explain why it’s so important for us to be teaching and encouraging statesmen leaders.”

Ross — who has two grown sons, Shane, 33 and Travis, 31 — said he began writing his memoirs a year and a half ago, worked on it a total of about eight months, edited it and released it this year. It’s available via Kindle online and hardcopy paperback through Amazon.

Among the topics in the book was Ross' work to pass legislation for a high-speed rail authority 24 years ago, although it was voted down. He said he “reached across aisle” on that issue because Republicans weren’t supporting it.

“And that never happened. If it were followed through, we’d have it today with less congestion and more opportunities for transportation in this state and in the country,” he said.

Ross also notes in the book how he lost his chairmanship of the Florida House Safety and Security Council and his position on the Rules and Calendar Council. Marco Rubio, who was then speaker of the Florida House, stripped him of the roles because Ross was one of two who voted against Gov. Charlie Crist’s property insurance rate reduction plan in 2007. He said that was “devastating” but eventually felt vindicated.

Lake Wales mayor: Jack Hilligoss, a pastor, turns his church into a political force

Another highlight Ross mentions in the book was time spent with former President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One. He said he was able to see a side of the man rarely seen in public.

“It was everything you could imagine being with a very ego-driven man who was incredibly friendly. He told some great stories to me,” said Ross, who cites hunting and RV travel as some of his hobbies.

As for those who buy and read “Reaching Across the Aisle: Reflections on My Experiences in Politics,” Ross said he hoped readers can learn to “be the leader they want to see.”

“I have a chapter called ‘Critic to collaborator.’ It teaches how people can train themselves to utilize…important characteristics necessary to build relationships that help you reach across the aisle to seek resolution with people who differ from you.”

In June 2022, Ross withdrew from a crowded Republican primary for Florida’s 15th Congressional District, citing limited resources and the number of other candidates as his reasons for dropping out. U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Tampa, represents that district.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Ex-Lakeland Congressman Dennis Ross writes memoir of time in politics