Peter DeFazio
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| Peter DeFazio | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 6, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Weaver |
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| Born | May 27, 1947 [1] Needham, Massachusetts[1] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Myrnie L. DeFazio |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Peter Anthony DeFazio (born May 27, 1947) is an American politician. He serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Oregon, representing the 4th Congressional District and is currently serving his 11th term. DeFazio is Oregon's most senior member of Congress, which makes him the dean of Oregon's House of Representatives delegation. A native of Massachusetts and a veteran of the United States Air Force, he previously served as a county commissioner for Lane County, Oregon.
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[edit] Political career
From 1977 to 1982, DeFazio worked as an aide for U.S. Representative Jim Weaver.[1] DeFazio was elected as a Lane County commissioner in 1983 and served as chairman from 1985 to 1986.[1] In 1986, DeFazio was elected to Weaver's House seat when Weaver did not seek reelection to the House,[1] taking 54 percent of the vote. He hasn't faced another contest nearly that close, and has been reelected ten times.
After Senator Bob Packwood resigned in 1995, DeFazio ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate in a special primary, losing to Ron Wyden. He served as a delegate to the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
In the 2006 election, DeFazio won re-election to an 11th term, defeating Republican Jim Feldkamp. DeFazio serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Natural Resources committees, and subcommittees of each; he chairs the Transportation subcommittee on Highways and Transit.[2]
DeFazio has a liberal voting record,[3][4] supporting federal government intervention in health care, the environment, labor, and education. He opposes the Iraq War, free trade agreements, and tax cuts for the wealthy.
DeFazio reportedly considered and re-considered running against incumbent Senator Gordon Smith for the 2008 Senate election.[5][6][7] On April 20, 2007, DeFazio announced he would not run for Smith's seat.[8]
[edit] Personal life
DeFazio was born in Needham, Massachusetts.[1] He served in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971.[2] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University in 1969[1] and a Master of Science degree from the University of Oregon in 1977,[1] and worked as a gerontologist.
DeFazio is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He and his wife, Myrnie Daut,[2] reside in Springfield.
| Preceded by James H. Weaver |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 4th congressional district 1987 – present |
Incumbent |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h DeFazio's biography in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- ^ a b c DeFazio's profile from Project Vote Smart
- ^ On the Issues — Peter DeFazio issue positions and quotes
- ^ Congress Votes Database: Peter DeFazio voting record from the Washington Post
- ^ Blake, Aaron. "Rep. DeFazio pulls name from 2008 Senate-bid speculations", January 4, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-12.
- ^ Daily Kos: OR-Sen: DeFazio beats Smith - DSCC poll
- ^ Dietz, Diane. "DeFazio ponders U.S. Senate run", Eugene Register-Guard, April 3, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
- ^ DeFazio will not run for Senate. OregonLive.com (April 20, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-04-20.
[edit] External links
- Congressman DeFazio official U.S. House website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- DeFazio for Congress official campaign website
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