// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did Robert Merkle go to the doctor? He had a merkle of problems.
Robert W. Merkle, Jr. (1944-2003[1]) was an American attorney who served as U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Florida from 1982 to 1988.[2][3] He also ran for governor of Florida and in the Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat. He prosecuted drug lords, politicians, and judges.[4]
Early life
[edit]Merkle went to St. Leo Preparatory School outside Tampa where he was an accomplished athlete. He received a football scholarship to Notre Dame where he played fullback during his junior year before being sidelined by injuries his senior year.[4]
Career
[edit]He worked as a prosecutor for the Justice Department and as an assistant state attorney in the Pasco-Pinellas county circuit before being appointed U.S. attorney in April 1982. He was an outspoken opponent of abortion.[4]
He lost to Connie Mack III in the Republican Primary for the 1988 United States Senate election in Florida.[5]
He was U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Merkle was Catholic. He and his wife, Angela, had nine children. [4]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Robert Merkle, 58; Prosecuted Drug Kingpin". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 9, 2003.
- ↑ "Bicentennial Celebration of the United States Attorneys" (PDF). www.justice.gov.
- ↑ "The Political Graveyard: U.S. District Attorneys in Florida". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- 1 2 3 4 Roger Roy (April 20, 1986). "MERKLE -- REVILED BY ESTABLISHMENT, REVERED BY PUBLIC". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
- ↑ "OurCampaigns". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ↑ Bill Moushey (November 22, 1998). "Out of control". Win at all costs. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on March 2, 1999.