Jeff Stidham Editorial writer Phone number: (813) 259-7610  E-mail Jeff Stidham

Age: 47

Years at the Tribune: 18

Education: B.A. in history, Davidson College; J.D. from Florida State University College of Law; M.A. in Journalism, University of Texas at Austin

Hometown: Bartow

Married: To Mary Ellen Murphy for 14 years in June

Children: Murphy, 11

Pet: Molly, a 7-year-old miniature Australian shepherd

Favorite editorial topics: Legal and political issues, health and home

How I became an editorial writer: I applied and was selected seven years ago after having covered the courts for six years. Before that I was a business and general assignment reporter in Pinellas County. I have also covered the cities of Tarpon Springs and Temple Terrace, as well as Hillsborough schools.

Books by the bedside: Daniel Silva's "Prince of Fire"

Most entertaining interview: The late State Attorney Harry Lee Coe, trying to explain what happened to guns missing from the office vault: "They're where they ought to be."

Vacation spot: Idaho's high desert country and the Connecticut coast

Favorite authors: Robert Ludlum, Dorothy Gilman

Favorite bloggers: Power Line, Howard Bashman

Best advice I could give a 20 year old: Don't go to law school unless you're sure you want to practice law.