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The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focused on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee (PAC). The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending, free trade, and economic liberalism (libertarianism). Its PAC endorses and raises money for conservative candidates.

The Club was founded in 1999 by Stephen Moore. The current president is the former Indiana Congressman, Chris Chocola.

Political initiatives[link]

The Club invented the "RINO Watch" list — RINO being a pejorative acronym for Republican In Name Only — to monitor what it describes as "Republican office holders around the nation who have advanced egregious anti-growth, anti-freedom or anti-free market policies." The list has focused on Republicans who voted against tax changes and budget cuts supported by the Club.

In addition, the Club for Growth also makes independent expenditures to pressure certain moderate Republicans to vote more conservatively (e.g. running ads against Senators George Voinovich of Ohio, Olympia Snowe of Maine, and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island after these Senators objected to certain aspects of President Bush's tax cuts). (Chafee was defeated in 2006 general election after an expensive primary fight with a more conservative Republican financed in large part by the club.) Founder of Club for Growth Stephen Moore has said, `We want to be seen as the tax cut enforcer in the party.`^[1]

The Club for Growth's website used to feature a "Comrade of the Month" award, which was given to the public official or figure who, in the Club's words, "best lives up to the policies of big-government redistribution and restrictions on economic freedom."^[2] In March 2009, Barack Obama was named the third "Comrade of the Month" in response to his proposed $3.6 trillion budget, which the conservative Heritage Foundation had projected as liable to result in a doubling of the national debt to $12.5 trillion over ten years.^[3]

Election activities[link]

On September 19, 2005, the Federal Election Commission filed suit against the Club for Growth for violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act for failing to register as a political action committee in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 congressional elections.^[4] In September, 2007 the Club for Growth agreed to pay $350000 in civil penalties and criticized the FEC for the lawsuit.^[5] The agreement, if approved by a federal judge, would mark the end of the lawsuit.

2002 Congressional elections[link]

In the 2002 Congressional races, 17 out of 19 candidates endorsed by the organization's PAC won. It also endorsed Mark Sanford in the South Carolina gubernatorial Republican primary as he defeated Lt. Gov. Bob Peeler.

2004 Congressional elections[link]

In 2004, the Club for Growth's PAC caused a stir within the Republican Party by endorsing and heavily supporting U.S. Representative Pat Toomey, who challenged incumbent Senator Arlen Specter in the Republican primary in Pennsylvania. The organization was reported to have collected contributions totaling over $934,000 for Toomey. It also spent $1 million on its own independent television advertising campaign on Toomey's behalf.^{[citation needed]} Specter, who had the support of President Bush, the RNC, and Sen. Rick Santorum, defeated Toomey by a narrow margin of 51–49%. Afterwards, Toomey accepted the position as President of the Club for Growth which he served as until April 2009.

2006 Congressional elections[link]

After a good deal of electoral success in 2004,^{[citation needed]} the Club continued its policy of supporting candidates who support its positions for federal office, especially during contested primaries. Freshmen U.S. Congressmen Adrian M. Smith (R-NE), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Bill Sali (R-ID), and Tim Walberg (R-MI) all won their heavily contested primary elections in large part because of the Club's involvement^{[citation needed]}. Rep. Walberg defeated moderate incumbent Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz in the August 2006 Michigan primary. Schwarz was backed by Pres. Bush, Sen. McCain, the NRCC, and almost all of the state's Republican establishment. The Club for Growth criticized Schwarz for a number of liberal views on fiscal issues including his votes against the elimination of earmarks in appropriations bills and his support of higher taxes while in the Michigan Legislature. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman defeated in a primary that year. Walberg went on to lose the seat to Democrat Mark Schauer in 2008.

The Club successfully supported the reelection of Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX) in a heavily fought race against former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. They were less successful in supporting the "Three Mikes" for the US Senate (Mike Bouchard in MI, Mike McGavick in WA, and Michael Steele in MD.) Sharron Angle was defeated in Nevada's 2nd Congressional District (CD) in the Republican primary. Angle was the first candidate endorsed by the Club for the 2006 campaign and it spent over a year raising close to one million dollars for her. The result was an exceedingly close loss to Dean Heller, who would go on to victory in November 2006. The Club additionally supported the losing primary campaigns of Minnesota state senator Phil Krinkie for MN CD 6 and Oklahoma state rep. Kevin Calvey for OK CD 5. The winners of those primaries, Michele Bachmann and Mary Fallin respectively, both went on to be elected to congress in November. (The Club supported Michele Bachmann for re-election in 2008.) The Club also supported incumbent congressman Chris Chocola in his losing race in Indiana, John Gard's losing effort in WI's CD 8, and Rick O'Donnell's losing effort for the open 7th CD in Colorado. They did support the successful reelection of Rep. Steve Chabot in a hard fought OH CD 1 victory.

The most high profile race of the year for The Club was their support of conservative Cranston, Rhode Island mayor Stephen Laffey against moderate incumbent Senator Lincoln Chafee. Chafee was able to hang on for a 54% to 46% victory in large part because of Democrats that crossed over to vote for him and the strong aid of Sen. Elizabeth Dole, the NRSC, President Bush, and the rest of the party's establishment in Rhode Island.

2007 Congressional elections[link]

The Club endorsed state senator Steve Buehrer in the special election for Ohio CD 5 to replace the deceased Rep. Paul Gillmor. Buehrer however was defeated by Bob Latta, the son of former Rep. Del Latta, in the Republican primary in November 2007 by a 44% to 40% margin. Latta went on to defeat the Democrat and be elected to congress.

The Club strongly supported Paul Jost, the chairman of the Virginia chapter of The Club for Growth, in the contest to replace deceased Rep. Jo Ann Davis in Virginia congressional district 1. In the nominating convention however Jost was defeated by state delegate Rob Wittman. Wittman went on to win the special general election versus Democrat Phil Forgit and was sworn into congress in December 2007.

2008 Congressional elections[link]

The Club entered the 2008 election cycle by continuing to fund Republican candidates for Congress that support their stated goals of less taxes, more trade, and smaller government. In most cases the candidates they support are in "conservative" districts that rarely elect Democrats or "liberal" Republicans.

Primary elections[link]

• Maryland CD 1: The Club endorsed state senator Andrew P. Harris against the nine term incumbent, Wayne Gilchrest. In the Feb. 12th primary Harris surged to a strong 44% to 32% victory. Gilchrest is the second incumbent Republican to be defeated by a candidate supported by the Club. The first was Rep. Joe Schwarz in Michigan in 2006.^[6] Harris was, however, unable to win the general election.
• Pennsylvania CD 10: the Club backed Chris Hackett, who defeated Dan Meuser in the primary on April 22, 2008 by 52% to 48%. Chris Hackett was defeated by Chris Carney 56% to 44% in a district that was once considered safe for Republicans.
• In California CD 4, open seat: state senator Tom McClintock, who defeated former congressman Doug Ose by 53.7% to 38.7% in the June 3, 2008 primary.
• For the open New Mexico senate seat being vacated by Pete Domenici: Congressman Steve Pearce, who defeated fellow New Mexico U.S. House member Heather Wilson 51% to 49% in the June 3, 2008 primary. (He then lost the general election to Tom Udall.)
• Georgia CD 10: incumbent Paul Broun who defeated state rep. Barry Fleming 71% to 29% in the July 15, 2008 primary election, to the surprise of virtually all observers.^[7]
• In Colorado CD 5: incumbent Doug Lamborn, who won 46%–29%–25% in a rematch against two opponents he defeated in the primary two years previously. In 2006, Lamborn was one of the biggest upset victors supported by The Club.^[8]
• In Arizona CD 5: former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert, who narrowly defeated former candidate Susan Bitter-Smith by 29.9% to 28%; there were three other candidates.^[9]
• In Mississippi's 3rd Congressional District (open seat), Charlie Ross, a former state senator. Ross however was defeated in the April 1, 2008 primary run-off election by Gregg Harper 57% to 43%.
• In Pennsylvania CD 5 (open seat): The Club endorsed, but did not raise funds for, Matt Shaner. Shaner finished a close second in the crowded April 22, 2008 primary. Pennsylvania does not have runoff elections.
• In Alabama CD 2 (open seat): state senator Harri Anne Smith's, who placed second. Smith placed second in the June 3, 2008 primary with 22% of the vote and faced a run-off on July 15, 2008 with State Rep. Jay Love who earned 35% of the vote. The NRCC and most Republican officials eventually endorsed Smith's opponent, and Smith lost the July 15, 2008 runoff 53% to 47%.^[10] Smith would go on to endorse Democrat Bobby Bright over Love in the general election and Bright would narrowly defeat Love.
• In Missouri CD 9 (open seat): state representative Dr. Bob Onder, who lost August 5, 2008 to former state rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer 39% to 31%. The Club made no mention of Onder's defeat on their webpage.^[11]
• In an odd twist, The Club ran a series of ads attacking moderate Republican state treasurer Lynn Jenkins in her quest to be elected from Kansas' 2nd congressional district, but yet did not endorse her opponent, former Rep. Jim Ryun. Jenkins faced a heated battle with the former Congressman Ryun as he was seeking to regain the seat he lost in a 2006 upset. The incumbent representative, Democrat Nancy Boyda, was seen by many as the most vulnerable Democrat in congress and lost in November to Jenkins. On August 5 Jenkins won a narrow 51–49% primary victory over Ryun.^[12] The Club made no mention of Ryun's defeat on their webpage.
• Alaska At Large: in the August 26th Republican primary fight between Lt. Governor Sean Parnell and incumbent Don Young, the Club spent close to a million dollars against Young, who has long been labeled a king of pork barrel politics and is the father of the "Bridge to Nowhere". Parnell lost by just 304 votes out of over 93,000 votes cast.^[13]

Special elections[link]

• Louisiana CD 1: State Sen. Steve Scalise in the May 3, 2008 special election for Louisiana CD 1 to replace Bobby Jindal. Scalise won with 75% of the vote. He had previously defeated Tim Burns in the Republican primary by 58% to 42%.
• Louisiana CD 6: (open seat, but previously Republican since 1974, and again after the 2008 general election): Woody Jenkins, who lost the special election Sat. May 3, 2008 to Democrat Don Cazayoux 49% to 46%. Louisiana does not have a runoff for special general elections.

General election[link]

Nine Club-supported candidates won seats in the general election:

• Rep. Steve Scalise in Louisiana CD 1 with 66% of the vote.
• Rep. Paul Broun's successful reelection campaign in Georgia CD 10 by a 61% to 39% tally.
• Rep. John Shadegg's successful reelection campaign in Arizona's 4th CD by 54% to 42%.
• Rep. Scott Garrett's successful reelection campaign in New Jersey's 5th CD by a 56% to 42% margin.
• Rep. Doug Lamborn's successful reelection campaign for Colorado's 5th CD by a 60% to 37% tally.
• Rep. Michele Bachmann's successful reelection campaign in Minnesota's 6th CD by a 47% to 44% margin despite being a top Democratic target after her controversial remarks on Chris Matthews's Hardball program.
• Pete Olson's successful campaign to defeat incumbent Rep. Nick Lampson in Texas' 22nd CD by a 53% to 45% tally. This was one of five districts that Republicans took from the Democrats.
• Mike Coffman's successful campaign to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Tom Tancredo in Colorado's 6th CD by a 60% to 40% total.
• Tom McClintock's victory over Democrat Charlie Brown to win California's CD 4 by a 51% to 49% tally. The seat had been held by retiring Rep. John Doolittle.^[14]
• Sen. Saxby Chambliss's 58% to 42% victory over Democrat Jim Martin in the Georgia runoff election of December 2, 2008. Under Georgia law, if a candidate fails to top 50% of the vote, a runoff election is held between the two candidates that received the most votes. Chambliss garnered 49.8% of the vote to Martin's 46% in the November general election and thus a runoff was set. The Club had not endorsed Chambliss in the general election, but came to his aide for the runoff after citing his conservative voting record and the need to thwart a filibuster proof Democratic majority of 60 Senate seats.

Ten Club-supported candidates were defeated in the general election:

• Sen. John E. Sununu's (R-NH) was defeated by former New Hampshire Gov. Jean Shaheen in a rematch of the 2002 election by a 52% to 45% margin.
• Former Congressman Bob Schaffer lost the open Colorado senate seat of Sen. Wayne Allard to Democratic Rep. Mark Udall by 52% to 43%.
• Rep. Steve Pearce was defeated by Rep. Tom Udall 61% to 39% for the open New Mexico senate seat being vacated by Sen. Pete Domenici.
• Andrew P. Harris was narrowly defeated in Maryland CD 1 by Democrat Frank Kratovil by 160,914 (49%) to 159,998 (49%). The endorsement of Kratovil by Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, whom Harris defeated in the GOP primary, was seen as the deciding factor in the election. Kratovil thus became the first Democrat to represent this district since Gilchrest himself had begun his first term in 1991, and only the second Democrat since 1963.^[15]
• Rep. Tim Walberg defeated in Michigan CD 7 by Mark Schauer 49% to 47%. Former Rep. Joe Schwarz, who was defeated by Walberg in the 2006 GOP primary, endorsed and campaigned for Schauer. Schwarz has indicated that he wanted to remain neutral if the election stayed local, but he endorsed Schauer because of The Club's continued involvement.^[16][17]
• Rep. Bill Sali was defeated 51% to 49% by Walter Minnick in Idaho's conservative 1st CD.
• Rep. Tom Feeney's reelection loss for Florida CD 24. Feeney was defeated by Suzanne Kosmas 57% to 41% after he admitted to taking free golf trips to Scotland with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
• Former State Rep. Dean Andal was defeated for California's CD 11 by Rep. Jerry McNerney 55% to 45%.
• David Schweikert was defeated in Arizona's CD 5 by Rep. Harry Mitchell 53% to 44%.
• Chris Hackett was defeated 56% to 44% in Pennsylvania's CD 10 by incumbent Chris Carney.

2008 Presidential election[link]

During the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, the Club was critical of Mike Huckabee, using funds from backers of Mitt Romney to attack him as the "tax-increasing liberal governor of Arkansas".^[18] Huckabee, in turn, has referred to the Club for Growth as the "Club for Greed".^[19]

The Club has occasionally made statements both in support and opposition to various proposals by Sen. John McCain. The Club never endorsed a presidential candidate, but did release statements praising Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin from time to time.

2009 special election[link]

The Club endorsed in the special election in New York's 23rd congressional district the Conservative Party of New York candidate, Doug Hoffman instead of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava. With the Club pouring money into Hoffman's campaign, Scozzafava realized that she could not win and withdrew from the race the Sunday before the November 3 special election, endorsing the Democratic candidate Bill Owens.^[20] Owens won the election in a district where portions had not had a Democratic congressman since the 19th century.^[21]

2010 Congressional elections[link]

The Club for Growth supported the winning candidates in 20 of the 26 general election races in which they endorsed and supported a candidate. It marked the most successful election day in CFG's history. Only two of their endorsed candidates lost in the primary. [5]

• On March 4, 2009, the Club endorsed former Oklahoma Republican state rep. Kevin Calvey for Oklahoma's 5th CD. Incumbent Rep. Mary Fallin has announced that she will be running for governor and the seat will be open.
• On April 16, 2009, the Club for Growth's PAC endorsed Pat Toomey in his Senate run against Arlen Specter.^[22]
• On April 28, 2009, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter specifically mentioned the Club for Growth's previous activity in supporting conservative primary opponents against Republicans such as Wayne Gilchrest, Joe Schwarz, Lincoln Chafee and Heather Wilson, in his decision to run for re-election as a Democrat in 2010.
• As of September 20, 2010 The Club for Growth PAC has endorsed 28 candidates in the 2010 election cycle. They are Senators Jim DeMint (SC) and Tom Coburn (OK); Senate candidates Sharron Angle (NV), Ken Buck (CO) (endorsed after he won the primary), Mike Lee (UT) (endorsed after he won the primary, though the Club campaigned against Sen. Bennett before the state convention), Ron Johnson (WI), Joe Miller (AK) (endorsed after the Alaska primary), Rand Paul (KY) (endorsed after the Kentucky primary), Marco Rubio (FL) and Pat Toomey (PA); Representative Tom Graves (GA 9) and House candidates Justin Amash (MI 3), Kevin Calvey (OK 5), Jeff Duncan (SC 3), Stephen Fincher (TN 8) (endorsed after primary), Tim Griffin (AR 2), David Harmer (CA 11) (endorsed after primary), Andy Harris (MD 1) (endorsed after primary), Nan Hayworth (NY 19) (endorsed after primary), Tim Huelskamp (KS 1), Jesse Kelly (AZ 8) (endorsed after primary), Mick Mulvaney (SC 5)(endorsed after primary), Mike Pompeo (KS 4), Kevin Rothfus (PA 4) (endorsed after primary), Dave Schweikert (AZ 5) (endorsed after primary), Tim Scott (SC 1), Robin Smith (TN 3), and Todd Young (IN 9) (endorsed after primary).
• On June 8, 2010 Angle won the Republican primary in what was seen by many as an upset and the Club for Growth poured over $600,000 into her campaign. On that same day Graves won a special election in Georgia to become the newest member of congress.
• On June 22, Duncan and Scott won their primary run-off elections in South Carolina.
• On July 27, Calvey placed second in the OK CD 5 primary with 32.5% to James Lankford's 33.6%. In the August 24 run-off Calvey lost to Lankford in a 65% to 35% landslide.
• In the primaries held on August 3, Huelskamp, Pompeo, and Amash all won their primary elections. This improved the Club for Growth's record to 7 wins in 7 races at that point for the 2010 election cycle.
• In the Tennessee primaries held on August 5, Club For Growth's winning streak was snapped as its candidate, Robin Smith, the former Chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, who narrowly lost her bid to replace Rep. Zach Wamp in CD 3. She lost to Chuck Fleischmann by 1,409 vote or 29.7% to 28.1%. Tennessee has no run-offs.^[23][24]

2012 Congressional elections[link]

The Club for Growth has endorsed the following eight candidates thus far in the 2012 election cycle:

• Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz for the open Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. [6]
• Rep. Jeff Flake for the open senate seat in Arizona being vacated by Republican Sen. Jon Kyl.
• Rep. Steve King's reelection campaign in Iowa. The state is losing a congressional district due to redistricting.
• Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel for the Senate seat currently held by incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
• Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock for the Senate seat currently held by incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Lugar.
• Mark Neumann for the open Senate seat in Wisconsin being vacated by Democratic Sen. Kohl.
• Former Utah State Rep. Carl Wimmer for Utah's newly-created 4th congressional district.
• Nebraska state treasurer Don Stenberg for the Senate seat formerly held by Ben Nelson, challenging attorney general Jon Bruning and state senator Deb Fischer.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Club for Growth
• Club for Growth (527)
• Conservative ‘Club’ Wins With a Broader Battle Plan, by Marie Horrigan, CQPolitics, July 31, 2006
• Club for Growth Scores in GOP Primaries The Politico. June 4, 2008

Chris Chocola
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Mike Pence[1]
Succeeded by	Joe Donnelly
Personal details
Born	(1962-02-24) February 24, 1962 (age 50) Jackson, Michigan
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Sarah Chocola
Residence	Bristol, Indiana
Alma mater	Hillsdale College, Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Occupation	banking executive, agribusiness executive, attorney
Religion	Presbyterian

Joseph Christopher "Chris" Chocola (born February 24, 1962) is the president of the Club for Growth, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda.

Chocola was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana's 2nd congressional district^[2] from 2003 to 2007. He was defeated in 2006 by Joe Donnelly.

Chocola was a member of the Agriculture, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means committees of the House of Representatives.

In April, 2009, Chocola became president of the Club for Growth, a conservative political action committee that focuses on fiscal issues.^[3]

Early life, education, and career[link]

Chocola was born in Jackson, Michigan. He grew up in Michigan, graduating from Williamston High School in 1980. He graduated in 1984 from Hillsdale College, in Hillsdale, Michigan, with a double major in business administration and political economy. While at Hillsdale College he joined the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. After graduation, he went to work at Society National Bank, now known as KeyBank, which had recruited him into its management program in Cleveland. When he left to go to law school, he was a foreign exchange trader for the bank.

Chocola attended law school classes at night at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, in Lansing, Michigan, while working as a credit manager for his family's business, Chocola Cleaning Materials. He graduated in 1988.

In 1988, Chocola was hired as corporate counsel by CTB International in Milford, Indiana, a manufacturer of products for the poultry, egg, swine, and grain production industries, which his grandfather, Howard Brembeck, had founded. He initially managed all the legal aspects of the business as corporate counsel. He then held various management positions until he was named CEO in 1994. In April 1999, he left the CEO position to become chairman of the board.^[4]

In August 2002, CTB International was sold to Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the investment firm of billionaire Warren Buffett. The Chocola family (Chris, his parents, and other relatives) received 55% of the $140 million paid to shareholders of the company.^[5]

Chocola and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, Colin.^[6] They live in Bristol, Indiana, which, after redistricting, is outside of the district he represented.

Congressional elections[link]

2000[link]

In the 2000 election, Chocola made an unsuccessful bid for Congress, losing to incumbent Democrat Timothy J. Roemer by a 52-47 margin. In that campaign, Chocola spent more than $1 million, including $465,000 of his own money.

In the October 8, 2000, edition of the Elkhart Truth, an Elkhart, Indiana newspaper, Chocola was quoted as saying that "Bush's plan of individual investment of 2 percent of the money is a start. Eventually, I'd like to see the entire Social Security system privatized. It's not a 'risky scheme'".^[7] In late October, after Roemer had featured that statement in political ads, Chocola said, "There is no one proposing, including me, a plan of total privatization." The newspaper, saying Chocola had made his statement in meeting its editorial board, refused to retract the story. Roemer refused to stop running the ad despite Chocola's contention that the quotation was taken out of context.^[8]

2002[link]

Roemer retired after his 2001–2003 term. In 2002, Chocola ran again for the open seat. In November, he defeated former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson by a 51-46 margin, in a race that included campaign appearances by President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and other top Republicans, to assist his bid.

2004[link]

In 2004, Chocola defeated Democrat Joe Donnelly by a 54-45 margin, in an election where Bush received 56 percent of the district's vote. In that race, Chocola outspent Donnelly $1.4 million to $700,000. Chocola was assisted by a fundraising visit from Vice President Dick Cheney during the campaign.

2006[link]

Primary[link]

In the Republican primary on May 2, 2006, Chocola faced Tony Zirkle, an attorney, Navy veteran, and frequent candidate, whom he had defeated in 2004. Chocola won 70% to 30%. Zirkle, who said he was "willing to debate the idea of returning the guillotine and lynch mob for those who prey on children under the age of 12", was unable to get Chocola to debate him on that or any other subject.^[9]

Fundraising[link]

In the 2006 campaign cycle Chocola had raised about $3.2 million.^[10]

In mid-August, in a report on National Republican Congressional Committee planned spending, the Associated Press reported that "the GOP has not reserved advertising time to aid Rep. Chris Chocola in Indiana even though Democrats plan to spend at least $700,000 to win the district. House Republicans have told Chocola that he must fend for himself, given his personal wealth and his ability to raise large amounts of money".^[11]

Democratic opponent[link]

In the November general election, Chocola faced Democratic candidate Joe Donnelly,^[12] whom he had defeated in 2004. Donnelly had raised about $1.5 million.^[13]

Polls and ratings[link]

A poll released in mid-June by the Donnelly campaign showed Donnelly leading 48% to 38% with 14% undecided. The campaign did not release all of the poll findings.^[14] A poll released six days later, taken by the South Bend Tribune, showed the race to be at the margin of error with Donnelly at 46% and Chocola at 41%. The telephone poll interviewed 400 likely voters who were asked who they would vote for "if the election were held now".^[15]

On August 16, the Cook Political Report changed the rating for the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss-Up", saying "Despite a significant fundraising advantage over Democrat Joe Donnelly, which has helped fuel a barrage of negative attack ads, incumbent GOP Rep. Chris Chocola looks more like an underdog than the frontrunner". Also in August 2006, Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, a Web site run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, added the race to their "Ferocious Forty" list of the 40 most competitive House races in the nation.^[16]

Defeat[link]

On November 7, 2006, Chocola lost his congressional seat to Democratic candidate Joe Donnelly, whom Chocola had defeated in 2004. The final tally showed Chocola losing by a 54-46 margin, almost an identical reversal of his fortunes in 2004. The election had a much lower turnout than the previous campaign, and the difference appeared to come in St. Joseph County. Historically a Democratic stronghold, Chocola lost it by only a few hundred votes while cruising to victory in 2004. In 2006, however, Donnelly won the county by nearly 14,000 votes, garnering 58% of the vote in what is by far the most populous county of the district.^[17]

Actions as Representative[link]

According to the profile by the Associated Press, "Chocola is a strong supporter of President Bush." The two do differ on some positions, such as illegal immigration. Chocola has supported (against the President's position) the "tough enforcement first" House version of changes in immigration law, in opposition to the President's calls for a guest worker program.

In January 2006, Chocola said that great strides were being made in transitioning Iraq from military coalition to police control. He said it was too early to predict when the job will be done.

Social issues[link]

• Chocola was a cosponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2003 and voted for that Amendment when it came to the floor in 2004. He again was a cosponsor of the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2006 (H.J. Res. 88) and voted for the amendment on July 18, 2006.
• He voted in 2005 for an amendment to the Constitution preventing the desecration of the American flag.
• Voted for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in July 2006, which restricts credit card companies from processing payment towards Internet gambling companies.
• Voted for the Pledge Protection Act in mid-July 2006, which would prevent federal courts from ruling on cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Voted against overriding President George W. Bush's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act in July 2006. The bill would have modified restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and allowed for federal funding of the research.

Fiscal and economic issues[link]

• Introduced a bill that would place currency manipulation tariffs on China. He later denounced this bill when he became President of the Club for Growth.^[18]
• Voted against increasing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by $1 billion in March 2006.
• Voted for the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act in May 2006, which extended tax cuts set to expire over the next seven (7) years.
• Voted for the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act in June 2006. The bill permanently exempted personal estates of less than $5 million per spouse from estate taxes, and lowered the tax rate on larger estates.
• In the summer of 2006, voted for a bill that would allow private companies to drill for oil in ANWR.
• One of two cosponsors of HELPS Retirees Act (H.R. 2177), also known as the Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety Retirees Act of 2005, which enables retired public safety officers to designate up to $5,000 per year from governmental pension or deferred compensation funds for health care premiums on a pre-tax basis. This earned Chocola an endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters, one of his only endorsements from organized labor.

Notes[link]

External links[link]

• Chris Chocola at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Associated Press profile
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post

Neil Cavuto
Neil Cavuto, 2007
Born	(1958-09-22) September 22, 1958 (age 53) Westbury, New York, United States
Occupation	TV anchor, commentator and executive for Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel
Website
Your World at FOXNews.com

Neil Patrick Cavuto (born September 22, 1958) is an American television anchor and commentator on the Fox Business Network and host of three television programs, Your World with Neil Cavuto and Cavuto on Business, both on the Fox News Channel and Cavuto on sister channel Fox Business Network.

Cavuto also tapes a nightly wrap-up of business news which airs on local FOX affiliates during the late news and has a syndicated radio business news segment that airs on weekday afternoons. He is the senior vice president and managing editor of business news for the Fox Business Network, and oversees content and business coverage. He is the author of two books.

Early life[link]

Cavuto was born in Westbury, New York, and raised in Danbury, Connecticut, where he attended Immaculate High School. He worked as a White House intern during U.S. president Jimmy Carter's administration, graduated from St. Bonaventure University, and earned a master's degree from American University.^[1]

Career[link]

Neil Cavuto became the managing editor of business news and television anchor of Your World with Neil Cavuto on Fox News Channel in July 1996, later becoming a vice president of business news in March 2006. He serves all three positions concurrently. Your World is Fox's main business news program.

Before joining Fox, he hosted Power Lunch on CNBC and contributed to NBC's Today. He worked with the Public Broadcasting Service for 15 years. He was also a New York City bureau chief.

He has been awarded numerous times by his peers in the journalism industry, including recognition by the Wall Street Journal as the best interviewer in business news, best business television interviewer four consecutive years, and five nominations for Cable ACE awards.^[2] Cavuto was also awarded the 1980 Hellinger Award, the highest award for graduating journalism students from St. Bonaventure University. Cavuto has Interviewed many high profile business, political and world leaders.

Cavuto is the author of More Than Money, 2004, (ISBN 0060096438) and Your Money or Your Life, 2005, (ISBN 0060826177).^[3] Both books were New York Times best sellers.^[1]

Personal life[link]

Cavuto and his wife, Mary Fulling, whom he married on October 15, 1983, have three children, Tara, Bradley and Jeremy. They reside in Mendham, New Jersey.^[4]

Cavuto has suffered health problems,^[5][6] saying:

"I don't hide that I have had a tough life in many respects. I fought back a near-life-ending cancer, only to end up with multiple sclerosis years later. Doctors have since told me that the odds of contracting both diseases in the same life are something like two million to one! Yet here I am, marching on, continuing to do my job when doctors who've examined my scans and MRIs tell me I shouldn't be walking or talking."^[7]

References[link]

External links[link]

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Tommy Thompson
19th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
In office February 2, 2001 – January 26, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Donna Shalala
Succeeded by	Mike Leavitt
42nd Governor of Wisconsin
In office January 5, 1987 – February 1, 2001
Lieutenant	Scott McCallum
Preceded by	Tony Earl
Succeeded by	Scott McCallum
Personal details
Born	Tommy George Thompson (1941-11-19) November 19, 1941 (age 70) Elroy, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Sue Ann Mashak (m. 1968)
Alma mater	University of Wisconsin–Madison University of Wisconsin Law School
Religion	Roman Catholic
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Captain

Tommy George Thompson (born November 19, 1941), a United States Republican politician, was the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, after which he served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Thompson was a candidate for the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, but dropped out early after a poor performance in polls.^[1] He is currently running for the United States Senate election in 2012.^[2]

Early life, education, and military service[link]

Thompson was born in Elroy, Wisconsin, where his father, Allan, owned and ran a gas station and country grocery store, and his mother, Julia, was a teacher.^[3] He is a former captain in the United States Army and United States Army Reserve, and holds a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Early political career (1966-1987)[link]

Wisconsin Assembly[link]

Thompson was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1966; he became the Assembly's assistant minority leader in 1973 and minority leader in 1981. He was famous for aggressively utilizing parliamentary procedure to give his minority party some limited say in the legislative process. Since this use of procedure was invariably one of delay and obstruction, he soon received the nickname "Dr. No" by the frustrated majority.^{[neutrality is disputed]}

1979 congressional election[link]

Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman William Steiger of Wisconsin's 6th congressional district died at the age of 40 from a heart attack. There was a special election in 1979. In the February 1979 Republican primary, he was defeated by Tom Petri 35%-19%.^[4] Petri won the general election and still represents the 6th district today.

Governor of Wisconsin (1987-2001)[link]

Thompson served as the 42nd Governor of Wisconsin, having been elected to an unprecedented four terms. While serving as governor, he was elected Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association in 1989 and 1990.

The American Legislative Exchange Council identifies Thompson in the form of one of its success stories, being important to the organization in its formative years.^[5]

Elections[link]

1986

Thompson decided to run for Governor of Wisconsin in 1986 against incumbent Democrat Anthony Earl. He ran and won the Republican primary with 52% of the vote in a five candidate field.^[6] He defeated Earl 53%-46%.^[7]

1990

Thompson won re-election to a second term defeating Democrat Thomas Loftus, the Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, 58%-42%.^[8]

1994

Thompson won re-election to a third term defeating Democrat State Senator Chuck Chvala 67%-31%. He won every county in the state except Menominee County.^[9]

1998

Thompson won re-election to a fourth term defeating Democrat Ed Garvey, the Wisconsin Deputy Attorney General, 60%-39%.^[10]

Tenure[link]

Thompson's initiatives during his 14 years as governor of Wisconsin were his Wisconsin Works welfare reform and school choice programs.^[11] In 1990 Thompson pushed for the creation of the country's first parental school-choice program, allowing low-income Milwaukee families to send children to the private or public school of their choice at taxpayer expense. He created the BadgerCare program, designed to provide health coverage to those families whose employers don't provide health insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Through the federal waiver program, Thompson helped replicate this program in several states when he became Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Post-gubernatorial career[link]

Health and Human Services Secretary[link]

Thompson at the 2004 HealthierUS summit

Thompson left office when he was appointed by President George W. Bush as HHS Secretary. Thompson announced his resignation from HHS on December 3, 2004, and served until January 26, 2005, when the Senate confirmed his successor, Michael O. Leavitt.

Business career[link]

He was a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors and had an Amtrak locomotive named for him.^[12][13][14]

Thompson is a partner at Akin Gump, a Washington, D.C., law firm, and was formerly senior adviser at the consulting firm Deloitte and formerly the independent chairman of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.^[15] Thompson taught a class in the fall of 2005 at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government on medical diplomacy.^[16]

Shortly after leaving his Bush Cabinet post, Thompson joined and served for two years on the board of directors of Applied Digital Solutions, makers of the controversial VeriChip: a glass-encapsulated RFID chip that can be injected into human flesh for various database-driven identification purposes.

He was formerly the co-host for their television series, Plain Talk About Health.^[17]

2008 Presidential campaign[link]

After first announcing the formation of an exploratory committee in late 2006, Thompson announced his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election on April 1, 2007.^[18]

During a May 3, 2007, presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Thompson said in response to a question from moderator Chris Matthews that a private employer opposed to homosexuality should have the right to fire a gay worker.^[19] He said, "I think that is left up to the individual business. I really sincerely believe that that is an issue that business people have got to make their own determination as to whether or not they should be." He called CNN the following morning to say he didn't hear the question correctly. He apologized, saying, "It's not my position. There should be no discrimination in the workplace."

Thompson had stated he would drop out of the race if he did not finish either first or second in the Ames straw poll on August 11, 2007. Thompson finished sixth, with just 7% of the vote, despite the fact that some major contenders were not competing in the poll. On August 12, Thompson officially announced he would drop out of the race.

In October 2007, Thompson endorsed Rudy Giuliani. Thompson told the Associated Press in a statement that "Rudy Giuliani has shown that he is a true leader. He can and will win the nomination and the presidency. He is America's mayor, and during a period of time of great stress for this country he showed tremendous leadership." He then endorsed Senator John McCain after Giuliani's withdrawal from the presidential race.^[20] However, in a New York Times article published October 11, 2008, Thompson is quoted in response to a question regarding whether he was happy with McCain's campaign as saying, "No. I don't know who is."^[21]

2012 U.S. Senate election[link]

On September 19, 2011, Thompson officially launched his campaign to run for the Wisconsin senate seat vacated by Sen. Herb Kohl.^[22] On December 1, 2011, he formally announced his candidacy.

Criticism[link]

Medicare controversies[link]

After leaving office, Thompson promoted changes to Medicare that some complained would benefit companies Thompson has a financial stake in (including Centene and the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions).^[23]

Additionally, while in office, Thompson was involved in a dispute over whether the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services had to share cost estimates to Congress for legislation that would create a prescription drug benefit. Critics accused HHS of downplaying the true cost of the law by $150 billion. CMS Administrator Tom Scully threatened to fire the actuary if he revealed to Congress his estimate. Investigators determined that the data was improperly hidden from Congress, but did not conclude whether laws had been broken.^[24]

Treatment of Ojibwa spearfishers[link]

During his 1986 gubernatorial campaign, Thompson suggested abrogating the right of Wisconsin's Ojibwa tribe to engage in traditional spearfishing.^[25] Once in office, Thompson called on the tribe to sell their rights to spearfish in off-reservation lakes and streams, which is guaranteed by treaties with the United States, for $42 million dollars to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and $10 million to the Mole Lake Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.^[25] Thompson and anti-spearfishing organizations Protect Americans' Rights and Resources and Stop Treaty Abuse-Wisconsin tried unsuccessfully to challenge the 1983 "Voigt Decision" of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals—which prohibited Wisconsin from regulating fishing on Ojibwe land.^[25] The decision was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1983.^[25][26] Thompson claimed that Native Americans' lives were in danger from protesters associated with PARR and STA if they continued spearfishing.  In 1989, federal judge Barbara Crabb refused the request and chastised the state for attempting to avoid violence by punishing the Ojibwa, who had broken no laws, since it was violence by non-Native American protesters that was threatening.^[26] Crabb issued an injunction against violent anti-spearfishing protests in 1991, and made it permanent in 1992.^[27] On May 20, 1991, the Thompson administration declared it would no longer attempt to appeal the 1983 Voight Decision.^[25]

Statements about Jews, Israel[link]

In April 2007, Thompson was compelled to apologize for remarks he made about Jews and Israel during an address to an assembled crowd of Jewish social activists in Washington, D.C.^[28] On April 18, 2007, appearing before a conference organized by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Thompson made reference to his lucrative transition from public service to the private sector by stating: "You know that's sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that."^[29] After the conclusion of his address, Thompson was reportedly pulled aside privately by the RAC's Rabbi David Saperstein, and then returned to the podium to issue a clarification,^[30] adding: "I just want to clarify something because I didn't (by) any means want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to, ladies and gentlemen, is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion. You've been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that."^[29]

Later, Thompson told Politico that his remarks could be blamed on fatigue and a persistent cold.^[28]

Thompson made a variety of other lesser gaffes, including referring to the Anti Defamation League as the fringe Jewish Defense League, and to Israel bonds as "Jewish bonds".^[31][32][33] He also discussed his connections to politically conservative Israeli and Jewish leaders while speaking to the mostly liberal leaning group.^[31]

Conference organizers avoided comment on the faux pas, instead praising Thompson's decision to appear before the group.^[34]

Politicizing of science[link]

In 2001, early in his term as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Thompson's office rejected 19 of 26 people recommended for seats on the advisory board for the NIH developing nations unit, including a Nobel laureate, by the unit's director.^[35] In return, Thompson's office sent résumés for other scientists that Gerald Keusch, the director of the Fogarty International Center, described in an interview as "lightweights" with "no scientific credibility". Keusch relayed to the Nobel laureate, Torsten Wiesel, that he was rejected for having "signed too many full-page letters in The New York Times critical of President Bush." ^[36] This incident was cited by the advocacy group Union of Concerned Scientists as part of a report detailing their allegations of politicization of science under President George W. Bush's administration.^[37][38]

Electoral history[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Official sites

• U.S. Senate Campaign Website

Documentaries, topic pages and databases

• Federal Election Commission - Tommy G. Thompson (President) campaign finance reports
• On the Issues - Tommy Thompson issue positions and quotes
• PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer - Vote 2008: Tommy Thompson
• "Tommy Thompson and the Conservative Revolution"; primary source material compiled by the Wisconsin Historical Society
• Tommy Thompson at the Open Directory Project
• Tommy G. Thompson Collection, 1957-ongoing Special Collections & Archives, Marquette University (archive of materials donated by Thompson and others)
• Appearances on C-SPAN

Media coverage

• New York Times - Tommy G. Thompson news stories and commentary

v t e United States Secretaries of Health and Human Services (previously United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) Secretaries of Heath, Education, and Welfare Hobby Folsom Flemming Ribicoff Celebrezze Gardner Cohen Finch Richardson Weinberger Mathews Califano Harris Secretaries of Health and Human Services Harris Schweiker Heckler Bowen Sullivan Shalala Thompson Leavitt Sebelius

v t e Governors of Wisconsin Territory (1836–1848) Dodge Doty Tallmadge Dodge State (since 1848) Dewey Farwell Barstow MacArthur Bashford Randall Harvey Salomon Lewis Fairchild Washburn Taylor Ludington Smith Rusk Hoard Peck Upham Scofield R. La Follette Davidson McGovern Philipp Blaine Zimmerman Kohler Sr. P. La Follette Schmedeman P. La Follette Heil Goodland Rennebohm Kohler Jr. Thomson Nelson Reynolds Knowles Lucey Schreiber Dreyfus Earl Thompson McCallum Doyle Walker