Bill Orton

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Bill Orton
Bill Orton

William (Bill) Orton (born September 22, 1948) is a U.S. Democratic Party politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Utah from 1991 to 1997.

Born in Ogden, Utah, Orton is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He attended Brigham Young University, from which he earned his undergraduate degree and his Juris Doctor. In 1966, he was hired by the Internal Revenue Service, and in 1979, he returned to Utah to set up a private law practice.

In 1990, Orton successfully won election to Congress in his first try for political office, defeating Republican Karl Snow. While in the House, Orton served at various times on the Banking, Budget, Small Business, and Foreign Affairs Committees. In 1996, Orton was very narrowly defeated by Republican Chris Cannon during his bid for a fourth term. He left Congress as his third term expired in January 1997. Utah and national political pundits blame Orton's loss on the creation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument without local input.[1][2][3]

Following his departure from Congress, Orton resumed the practice of law and was a member of the legal counsel of the plaintiff in Idaho Potato Growers v. Ruben, the case in which the line-item veto was ruled unconstitutional. He also joined Advantage Associates, a consulting firm made up of former politicians. In 2000, Orton unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Michael Leavitt for the governorship.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Davidson, Lee. Utah's Congressional Delegation in Position to Influence Clinton. Deseret News, 1996-11-13. Last accessed 2007-08-29.
  2. ^ Bernick Jr., Bob. Orton, Utah are Expendable in Clinton's Political Game Plan. Deseret News, 1996-09-30. Last accessed 2007-08-29.
  3. ^ Davidson, Lee. Orton says He's Alive and Well. Deseret News, 1996-09-25. Last accessed 2007-08-29.
Preceded by
Howard C. Nielson		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Utah's 3rd congressional district
1991–1997		 Succeeded by
Chris Cannon