Keith received his Ph.D. from the University of Florida and is a proud alumnus of ABAC and Valdosta State. His dissertation focused on the populist movement of the 1890s in Congress, specifically Congressional response to the agrarian revolt in the South and how it shaped the future of southern politics. Keith’s interest in southern politics stems from growing up in Southwest Georgia where he saw first-hand the effects of racial injustice and economic inequality. His research has been published in Social Science Quarterly and American Review of Politics. Prior to college, Keith served in the United States Navy from 1998 to 2006. Most of that time was on board the USS Kentucky (SSBN-737 BLUE) as a Nuclear Machinist Mate. He also worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Schneider National, Inc. from 2006-2008.