Released by Bill McCollum for U.S. Senate:

Bill McCollum, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Connie Mack, represents the Eighth Congressional District of Florida, which includes Orlando, most of Orange County and a portion of Osceola County. The Almanac of American Politics describes McCollum as "...one of the most active and articulate Republicans in the House... a force to be reckoned with."

A Florida native, Bill McCollum was born on July 12, 1944, in Brooksville, Florida, the son of Ira William McCollum and the late Arline Lockhart McCollum. He graduated from Hernando High School in 1962, and earned his bachelor's (1965) and law degree (1968) from the University of Florida. He was a member (and President in 1968) of Florida Blue Key, the University's prominent leadership fraternity, and is a member of the University of Florida Hall of Fame.

Bill McCollum served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1972. In 1992, he retired from the Naval Reserve as a Commander having served 23 years as an officer in the Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. He is a member of the American Legion, the Reserve Officers Association, the Naval Reserve Association and the Military Order of the World Wars.