Ben Chandler

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For other persons of the same name, see Albert Chandler.
Ben Chandler
Ben Chandler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office 
February 17, 2004
Preceded by Ernie Fletcher
Born September 12, 1959 (1959-09-12) (age 48)
Versailles, Kentucky
Political party Democratic
Spouse Jennifer Chandler
Religion Presbyterian

Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III (born September 12, 1959) is an American politician from Kentucky. He is the member of the House of Representatives for Kentucky's 6th congressional district and was first elected in 2004.

Chandler was born in Versailles, Kentucky. He received a BA and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky at Lexington, Ky., and became a private practice lawyer. He was State Auditor from 1991 to 1995 before he became the Attorney General of Kentucky from 1995 until 2003, and was the Democratic candidate for governor in the election of 2003. He was defeated in that election by his Republican opponent, Congressman Ernie Fletcher. Fletcher was forced to resign from Congress in order to become governor, and a special election was held for his seat in February 2004. Chandler became the Democratic candidate and won the election.

Chandler is a Blue Dog Democrat as well as a member of the House New Democrat Coalition. He is considered to be an up-and-coming leader in the Democratic Party, and his name had been rumored as a candidate for governor for the 2007 election and Senator in the 2008 election. Chandler, however, announced on November 30, 2006, that he would not seek the governorship in 2007, stating he could better serve the Commonwealth in Congress: "With rising seniority and a Democratic majority, I have the opportunity to do so much more for my constituents and for the people of Kentucky." [1]

As a superdelegate in the 2008 United States presidential election, Chandler has endorsed Barack Obama.[1]

Ben Chandler's grandfather Albert Chandler, better known as Happy Chandler, served as Governor of Kentucky, Commissioner of Baseball, and as a U.S. Senator.

[edit] Committee assignments

  • Committee on Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Committee on Science and Technology
    • Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
    • Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
  • Horse Caucus (Co-Chair)
  • Public Broadcasting Caucus (Co-Chair)

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Ernie Fletcher		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 6th congressional district
2004–Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Chris Gorman		 Attorney General of Kentucky
1995-2003		 Succeeded by
Greg Stumbo
Preceded by
Paul Patton		 Democratic nominee for Governor of Kentucky
2003		 Succeeded by
Steve Beshear
v • d • e
Kentucky's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Representative(s)
Ed Whitfield (R), Ron Lewis (R), John Yarmuth (D), Geoff Davis (R), Hal Rogers (R), Ben Chandler (D)
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Non-voting delegations
Persondata
NAME Chandler, Ben
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Chandler, Albert Benjamin, III (full name)
SHORT DESCRIPTION Kentucky politician
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH Versailles, Kentucky, United States
DATE OF DEATH living
PLACE OF DEATH none
Languages