He was born in New York City, was educated at Swarthmore College, and obtained his law degree from Yale University. In 1982, he was elected for the first of five two-year terms in the Florida House of Representatives; in 1992, he was elected to the U.S. House, and has held his seat ever since.
Deutsch is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat being vacated in 2004 by retiring Senator Bob Graham.