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| Bill Paxon | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 27th district |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | James T. Walsh |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Reynolds |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 31st district |
|
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993 |
|
| Preceded by | Jack Kemp |
| Succeeded by | Amo Houghton |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 147th district |
|
| In office 1983–1988 |
|
| Preceded by | Richard L. Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Reynolds |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 29, 1954 Akron, New York |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Molinari |
| Children | two |
| Residence | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Alma mater | Canisius College |
L. William Paxon (born April 29, 1954), known as Bill Paxon, is a lobbyist and former member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Paxon was born in Akron, near Buffalo, New York. At the age of 15, Paxon volunteered for the first congressional campaign of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp. Kemp, decades later, was the Republican Vice Presidential nominee in 1996. Paxon graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute high school in 1972, and then from Canisius College. He was elected to the Erie County Legislature in November 1977 at the age of 23, making him the youngest member ever when elected. In addition, he holds honorary doctorates from Daemen College, Roberts Wesleyan College and Canisius College.
[edit] Political career
Paxon was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1982, and the House of Representatives as a Republican in 1988, where he served until 1999. He did not run for reelection in 1998. Paxon chaired the Republican House Leadership committee during the 105th Congress. In 1992, Paxon was elected to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee.
[edit] Leadership challenge
In the summer of 1997 several House Republicans, who saw Newt Gingrich's public image as a liability, attempted to replace him as Speaker. The challenge began July 9 with a meeting between Republican conference chairman John Boehner of Ohio and Republican leadership chairman Paxon. According to their plan, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, Boehner and Paxon were to present Gingrich with an ultimatum: resign, or be voted out. However, Armey balked at the proposal to make Paxon the new Speaker, and told his chief of staff to warn Gingrich about the coup.[1][2]
On July 11, Gingrich met with senior Republican leadership to assess the situation. He explained that under no circumstance would he step down. If he was voted out, there would be a new election for Speaker, which would allow for the possibility that Democrats—along with dissenting Republicans—would vote in Dick Gephardt as Speaker. On July 16, Paxon offered to resign his post, feeling that he had not handled the situation correctly, as the only member of the leadership who had been appointed to his position—by Gingrich—instead of elected.[3]
[edit] Post-congressional career
After leaving Congress, Paxon became an advisor to GOP congressional members.[4][5]
Following his 21-year public service career, Mr. Paxon joined the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP, where, since January 1999, he has advised a wide range of public and private sector clients on policy issues. He has consistently been rated one of Washington’s top lobbyists.
Paxon was hired by Boeing to lobby members of Congress.[6]
[edit] Personal life
While in Congress, the conservative Paxon worked closely with moderate then Rep. Susan Molinari R-Staten Island, who is now a lobbyist. They married on July 3, 1994 and live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have two daughters, Susan Ruby and Katherine.
[edit] References
- ^ "Attempted Republican Coup: Ready, Aim, Misfire". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/07/21/time/gingrich.html. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
- ^ "Attempted Republican Coup: Ready, Aim, Misfire". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/07/21/time/gingrich.html. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
- ^ Gingrich, Newt (1998). Lessons Learned the Hard Way. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 159–160. ISBN 978-0060191061.
- ^ Kurtz, Howard. "Moving to the Right". The Washington Post. April 19, 2006.
- ^ "The press breaks out: once used only by activists, outing is growing popular with mainstream reporters". The Advocate. October 13, 1998.
- ^ Carney, Timothy. "Who were Boeing's lobbyists?". Washington Examiner. February 24, 2011.
[edit] External links
- Bill Paxon at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Richard L. Kennedy |
New York State Assembly, 147th District 1983–1988 |
Succeeded by Thomas M. Reynolds |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Jack Kemp |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 31st congressional district 1989–1993 |
Succeeded by Amo Houghton |
| Preceded by James T. Walsh |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 27th congressional district 1993–1999 |
Succeeded by Thomas M. Reynolds |
