SC STATE SENATE DISTRICT 4 PROFILE: LEONARDO ORTIZ

Leonardo Ortiz is the Democratic challenger for SC Senate District 4. He is running against imcumbent Billy O'Dell.

By: Russell Bradley | WSPA-TV
Published: September 25, 2008

Captain Leonardo Ortiz was born in Havana, Cuba in 1957. He moved to the US with his family when he was 4 years old.
Capt. Ortiz was raised a Catholic, went to Catholic private schools through the 8th grade and then went to public school in Jr. and Sr. High.
He is the son of Col. J. Ortiz, MD (USAF, ret.).
He has lived in Miami, Kansas City, Anchorage, Savannah, Macon, Charlotte, Greenville, Columbia, Spartanburg, and now resides in Anderson with his bride, Amy Poore Ortiz, a native of Anderson Co.
His bride, Amy, is the daughter of the late Gaston Poore and Doris Poore, having family ties throughout the area, Confederate ancestors who fought in the War Between the States, and ancestry dating back to pre-Revolutionary War days. Capt. And Mrs Ortiz were married in May, 1995 in Spartanburg Co.
Capt. Ortiz has authored his own informative weekly column, entitled “Leonardo’s Corner” which has been published in newspapers throughout SC and GA.
Has sat on various government committees, including the Census 2000, Spartanburg Human Relations committees, and the Council for Latino Issues.
He has been a member of Kiwanis, Toastmasters, Knights of Columbus (3rd degree, Council 631), and Phi Kappa Theta.
He is a former GA certified law enforcement officer, volunteer firefighter, and First Responder.
He has been named in “Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals” (1999 & 2000) and in “Who’s Who in American Business” (2000).
Capt. Ortiz currently has a federal administrative law practice limited to Social Security and Labor, is a US Merchant Marine Master Captain, is a minister and Notary Public.