Cory Gardner

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Cory Gardner
Cory Gardner, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded by Betsy Markey
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
In office
June 23, 2005 – January 2, 2011
Preceded by Greg Brophy
Succeeded by Jon Becker[1]
Personal details
Born Cory Scott Gardner
(1974-08-22) August 22, 1974 (age 38)[2]
Yuma, Colorado, U.S.[2]
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Jaime Gardner; 1 daughter, 1 son
Residence Yuma, Colorado, U.S.
Occupation Politician, small businessman, farmer
Religion Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod[2]

Cory Scott Gardner[3] (born August 22, 1974)[2] is the Republican U.S. Representative for Colorado's 4th congressional district. In 2010, he defeated incumbent Democrat Betsy Markey. He was formerly a member of the Colorado House of Representatives.

Contents

Early life, education, and early political career [edit]

Gardner was born in Yuma, Colorado, the son of Cindy L. (née Pagel) and John W. Gardner. His ancestry includes Irish, German, Austrian, and English.[4] He graduated summa cum laude from Colorado State University with a B.A. in political science. He went to Law School at the University of Colorado to earn his Juris Doctor. Gardner served as General Counsel and Legislative Director for former U.S. Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado.[5]

Colorado House of Representatives [edit]

Elections [edit]

When Republican State Representative Greg Brophy of Colorado's 63rd House District was appointed to resigned State Senator Mark Hillman's seat, Gardner decided to run. In June 2005, the selection committee voted 7-5 for Gardner over Mark Arndt to Brophy's seat.[6][7] In 2006, he defeated Democrat Pauline Artery 73%-27%.[8] He won re-election to a second term unopposed.[9]

Tenure [edit]

He proposed legislation that would set aside money in a rainy-day fund that would help protect the state from future economic downturns. His proposal relied on Referendum C money for future budget emergencies.[10] He staunchly opposed any tax increases. He even said freezing mill-levy rates, which are used to calculate property taxes, would result in a net revenue gain for Colorado.[11] He helped create the Colorado Clean Energy Authority, which brought millions of dollars of economic development to Colorado.[12]

In June 2006, he called on Republican Governor Bill Owens to call a special session addressing the issue of illegal immigration.[13]

The Denver Post hailed Gardner as “the GOP Idea Man”. He was named one of the Top 40 young Republican lawmakers by the magazine Rising Tide. He became House Minority Whip in January 2007.[14]

Committee assignments [edit]

  • House Education Committee[15][16]
  • House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
  • Legislative Council[17]

U.S. House of Representatives [edit]

Elections [edit]

2010
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado, 2010#District 4

Gardner won the Republican primary in the 4th Congressional District to challenge Democratic incumbent Betsy Markey. Also running were American Constitution Party nominee Doug Aden and Independent Ken "Wasko" Waszkiewicz. In an early September poll, Gardner was up 50% to 39% over Markey.[18]

Gardner is one of the GOP Young Guns. He was endorsed by former U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo.[19] On November 2, 2010, Gardner defeated Markey, 52%-41%.

2012
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado, 2012#District 4

Gardner was challenged by Democratic nominee Brandon Shaffer.

Tenure [edit]

Shortly after taking office, Gardner introduced legislation that would speed up clean-air permits for companies engaged in offshore drilling in Alaska, which he says would create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil.[20][21] The House passed Gardner's bill by a vote of 253 to 166 with bipartisan support June 22, 2011.[22]

In March 2011, Gardner introduced that would force congressional committees to hold hearings on programs that are deemed duplicative by a U.S. Government Accountability Office report. Gardner has said he believes such a measure would reduce waste in government.[23][24]

Gardner voted for the Ryan budget plan, derided by many Democrats as ending Medicare as it is currently known.[25][26]

Taxes

Gardner is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[27]

Committee assignments [edit]

Electoral history [edit]

Colorado District 63 election, 2006[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Cory Gardner 15,736 73.3%
Democratic Pauline Artery 5,732 26.7%
Colorado District 63 election, 2008[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Cory Gardner 100.0

References [edit]

  1. ^ "State House District 63 Election Results". Denver Post. November 2, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c d Rubin, Richard (November 3, 2010). "112th Congress: Cory Gardner, R-Colo. (4th District)". Congressional Quarterly.  More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
  3. ^ "Representative Cory Scott Gardner (Cory) (R-Colorado, 4th) - Biography from". LegiStorm. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
  4. ^ "Cory Gardner ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  5. ^ "Cory Gardner official campaign website". Corygardner.com. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
  6. ^ "Archives : The Rocky Mountain News". Nl.newsbank.com. 2005-06-29. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  7. ^ "CO State House 063- R Primary Race - Aug 12, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  8. ^ "CO State House District 63 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  9. ^ "CO State House 063 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  10. ^ Couch, Mark P. (January 26, 2006). "Rainy day funding bills see daylight". Denver Post. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  11. ^ Saccone, Mike (27 April 2007). "Dems rebuff cries of 'increase,' maintain freeze in property-tax rates". The Daily Sentinal. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  12. ^ "Biography | Congressman Cory Gardner". Gardner.house.gov. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  13. ^ Mangalonzo, John (June 13, 2006). "Court ruling riles solons". Journal-Advocate. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  14. ^ "United States > Colorado > CO State House > Minority Whip". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
  15. ^ Associated, The (2007-03-30). "GOP calls for House education chairman to step down over e-mail". SummitDaily.com. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  16. ^ "NewsLibrary.com - newspaper archive, clipping service - newspapers and other news sources". Nl.newsbank.com. 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  17. ^ "Cory Gardner". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2012-11-17. 
  18. ^ Sandoval, Michael (September 2, 2010). "Gardner Leads Markey 50-39 in First Public CO-4 Poll". National Review. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  19. ^ "Tom Tancredo Standing By Endorsement Of Cory Gardner Over ACP Candidate In CD-4". Huffington Post Denver. 29 October 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  20. ^ "House passes Gardner bill on offshore drilling". Denver Business Journal. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2012.  More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
  21. ^ "Hearing on "The American Energy Initiative". Retrieved 11 April 2011. 
  22. ^ "Rep. Gardner's Jobs and Permitting Act Passes House". 22 June 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011. 
  23. ^ Sherry, Allison. "Beltway Breakfast –Gardner tackles duplication, so does Udall, Bennet talks Race to the Top, GOP applauds themselves for cutting another $4 billion". The Spot. The Denver Post. Retrieved 10 January 2012. 
  24. ^ "Rep. Gardner Announces Resolution to Tackle Duplicative Programs and Govt. Waste". Retrieved November 17, 2012. 
  25. ^ "House Vote 277 - Passes Ryan Budget Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
  26. ^ O'Connor, Patrick (2011-04-05). "Democrats Decry Ryan Budget Plan". wsj.com. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
  27. ^ "The Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers 112th Congressional List". Americans for Tax Reform. Retrieved November 30, 2011. 
  28. ^ "CO State House District 63 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 
  29. ^ "CO State House 063 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2011-06-14. 

External links [edit]

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Betsy Markey		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Colorado's 4th congressional district
January 3, 2011 – present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Bill Flores
R-Texas		 United States Representatives by seniority
295th		 Succeeded by
Bob Gibbs
R-Ohio
Senators
Representatives
(ordered by district)
Other states'
delegations
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