Before graduating from Winter Haven High School in 1973, Attkisson served as the Florida state president of National FFA Organization.

Attkisson began his career working for then-Governor Bob Graham in Tallahassee, Florida.

After serving on the Kissimmee Planning Advisory Board, Attkisson was appointed to the Kissimmee City Commission to fill the vacancy left by mayor Bruce Van Meter resigning from the city commission in order to run for state representative.

During his tenure in the Florida House, he was noted for his involvement in "Terri's Law" on the Terri Schiavo case and standardizing the minimum amount of acreage required for property owners to have the opportunity to attain the yearly agricultural tax break offered by the state.

[3] While riding his bicycle, Attkisson was fatally struck from behind by a motorist[8] on the evening of April 6, 2017 in St.