is a member of "The Volusianaries". He has served as the elected Public Defender of the Seventh Judicial Circuit of Florida since January, 2005. He graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 1975, law school at Nova University Center in 1978. He has practiced law in Florida for over 35 years. In addition to his position as Public Defender, he was appointed by Governor Crist in 2008 to serve as a member of the State of Florida Medical Examiner's Commission where he continues to serve as the Commission's Public Defender representative. A lifelong Republican, he joined the Volusia County Republican Executive Committee in 1992. He served the VCREC as Rules Committee Chairman, Vice-Chairman and, in 1999, as Chairman. In the 2000 Presidential Elections, Mr. Purdy was the first Republican Party representative called to the Volusia County Presidential Recount. Mr. Purdy is also an Eagle Scout and has served as district chairman of both the Kings Road and Three Rivers districts of the Boy Scouts of America (2008-2010). To celebrate his 60th birthday in 2012, Mr. Purdy and his son Matthew spent 10 days in northern Spain walking the Camino de Santiago, "The Way of St. James", as Christian pilgrims in what he describes as the most important and memorable experience of his life. Most recently, Mr. Purdy has become a Volunteer with the National Park Service and joined the St. Augustine Garrison where he has become a member of the 1740 Spanish Cannon Crew and Musket Team at the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine.