Travis Childers
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| Travis Childers | |
 U.S. Representative Travis Childers |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office May 20, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Roger Wicker |
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Prentiss County
Chancery Court Clerk |
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| In office 1991 – 2008 |
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| Born | March 29, 1958 [1] Booneville, Mississippi |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Tami Childers |
| Children | Dustin & Lauren |
| Residence | Prentiss County, Mississippi |
| Alma mater | University of Mississippi |
| Profession | Realtor |
| Religion | Baptist |
| Website | Congressman Travis Childers |
Travis Wayne Childers (born March 29, 1958) is the Democratic U.S. Representative from Mississippi's 1st congressional district.[2][3][4].
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[edit] Early life and career
Childers was born in Booneville in Prentiss County, Mississippi. His father died when he was 16 years old; in high school he worked nights and weekends at the first convenience store in Booneville to support his mother and sister.
Childers attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College and then the University of Mississippi, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1980.
While a student at Ole Miss, Childers became licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) and consequently became a Realtor. After graduating he joined Robert Davis' real estate business in Booneville and worked there throughout the 1980s. Eventually he became licensed as a Real Estate Broker by MREC prior to his ownership of Travis Childers Realty & Associates, a successful Northeast Mississippi real estate firm. He also owns, with his wife Tami, Landmark Community, a personal care home, and Landmark Nursing Center, an 80-bed skilled care facility and Alzheimer's unit.
In 1991, Childers was elected Prentiss County Chancery Clerk. He was re-elected five times (with 75 percent of the vote the final time). In 2001-2002, Childers served as president of the Mississippi Chancery Clerks Association.
[edit] Congressional campaign
A special election in Mississippi's 1st congressional district was triggered when Roger Wicker, the U.S. Representative for the 1st district, was appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to the United States Senate seat vacated by Trent Lott.
Childers was endorsed by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal,[5], the Commercial Dispatch[6], and the Commercial Appeal[7]
Several candidates qualified for the election. In the initial April 22 special election, Childers won 49.4 percent of the vote, falling just 400 votes short of the majority (50 percent plus one) needed to avoid a runoff. On May 13, Childers faced Republican candidate Greg Davis (who had won 46.3 percent on April 22).[8][9] Childers won the runoff.
This election returned the district to the Democrats. For many years, the seat was held by Democrat Jamie Whitten of Charleston, who had the record as the longest-serving Congressman. Rep. Whitten retired, and the seat had been won by the Republican Roger Wicker.
House Democratic leaders have stated they plan to appoint Childers to the Agriculture Committee.[10]
Childers and Davis will face each other again in the 1st district's November General Election[4]
[edit] Politics
Childers has been described as a conservative Democrat[11]. He is pro-life and pro-gun.[12] However, Childers also holds some mainstream Democratic positions. He is an advocate for a swift withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, supports increased funding for public education, and believes in tax breaks for working people.[13]
[edit] Personal life
Childers and his wife, Tami, have two children: Dustin, a first-year student at Mississippi College School of Law, and Lauren, a freshman at the University of Mississippi. Childers and his family belong to the East Booneville Baptist Church.
[edit] References
- ^ djournal.com: 2008 Voter's Guide
- ^ CURRENT HOUSE FLOOR PROCEEDINGS LEGISLATIVE DAY OF MAY 20, 2008 110TH CONGRESS - SECOND SESSION
- ^ Office of the Clerk: U.S. House of Representatives: Official lists were updated to reflect the addition of Rep. Childers, MS-01, to the rolls
- ^ a b Clarion Ledger: Childers wins 1st District for Democrats
- ^ "Editorial: Childers best choice." Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal 18 April 2008.
- ^ "Childers for Congress." Commercial Dispatch 20 April 2008
- ^ "Childers for Mississippi's 1st District." Commercial Appeal 11 May 2008.
- ^ Clarion Ledger: Mississippi - County Vote Results, April 22, 2008
- ^ An Alarm Bell Goes Off for GOP in Mississippi
- ^ O'Connor, Patrick. "A Seat On The Ag Committee Awaits Childers." Politico Crypt Blog 8 May 2008.
- ^ Politico.com: Primary shenanigans could backfire
- ^ Electoral-Vote.com: May 13th Special Election
- ^ Brumfield, Patsy R.; EMILY LE COZ (4/23/2008). Childers, Davis to meet yet again May 13. Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
[edit] External links
- Congressman Travis Childers, official U.S. House website
- Official campaign 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
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Travis Childers Realty & Associates
| Preceded by Roger Wicker |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 1st congressional district May 20, 2008- |
Incumbent |
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