Jim Matheson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jim Matheson | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2001 |
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| Preceded by | Merrill Cook |
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| Born | March 21, 1960 Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Amy Matheson |
| Residence | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Alma mater | Harvard University, UCLA |
| Occupation | energy consultant |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
James David "Jim" Matheson (born March 21, 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Utah's 2nd congressional district (map), which includes the state's sole progressive base in Salt Lake City. He is a Democrat, and the only member of his party currently representing Utah at the federal level.
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[edit] Early life and career
Matheson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and obtained a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and his M.B.A from the University of California, Los Angeles.[1] His father, Scott M. Matheson, served as Governor of Utah from 1977 to 1985,[2] and his brother, Scott Matheson Jr., was the 2004 Democratic nominee for Governor.[3] Matheson is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]
Prior to entering politics, Matheson worked in the energy field, working for several different companies and studying environmental policy. He later started his own energy consulting firm.
[edit] Political career
In 2000, Matheson was tapped to run for the 2nd District seat. The Democrats were optimistic in part because the 2nd District has historically been friendlier to Democrats than the rest of Utah and in part because two-term incumbent Merrill Cook had a reputation for erratic behavior[citation needed]. The prospect of losing the seat frightened district Republicans enough that Cook was unseated in the primary by computer executive Derek Smith. However, Matheson defeated Smith comfortably, taking 56 percent of the vote even as George W. Bush won the district with 57% of the vote.
During the 2000s round of redistricting, the Republican-controlled state legislature significantly altered Matheson's district. The old 2nd had been located entirely in Salt Lake County since the 1980s round of redistricting; Salt Lake County has historically favored Democrats more than the rest of Utah. The legislature drew all or part of 14 mostly rural counties in eastern and southern Utah into the 2nd. They were only connected to Salt Lake City by a narrow band of territory in Utah County. In addition, the legislature shifted most of western Salt Lake City to the 1st, leaving the more conservative eastern part of the city in the 2nd. The new district was approximately six points more Republican than its predecessor. Matheson was thought to face difficult odds for reelection, even though his family has roots in southern Utah. As expected, the 2002 race was very close. Matheson defeated State Representative John Swallow by only 1,600 votes, largely due to the 25,800 votes over Swallow in Salt Lake County[citation needed].
According to at least one study, some extra financial help from the Republican Party might have helped Swallow defeat Matheson[citation needed].
In 2004 Matheson defeated Swallow again—this time by a 12-point margin even as Bush won the state by a large margin (and carried the district with 67 percent of the vote). In 2006, he defeated State Representative LaVar Christensen by 22 points. Matheson defeated Republican challenger Bill Dew in the 2008 general election by 28 points.
Like most Utah Democrats, Matheson is relatively conservative by national party standards,[5] however more liberal than perceived, scoring only 36 for The American Conservative Union Ratings for 2008. Rob Bishop scored 100 and Bob Bennett scored 64.[6]
Matheson is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition,[7] a conservative group of 52 Democrats in the House. He also is a member of the New Democrat Coalition.
Among other significant votes, Matheson voted against raising the federal debt limit; as well as against both Republican and Democratic budgets that do not reduce the deficit. Matheson, a former energy industry businessman, voted against authorizing the construction of new oil refineries. In March, 2007, Matheson was one of 14 Democrats who voted against a bill that would require President George W. Bush to bring combat troops home from Iraq by September 1, 2008.
In November 2009, Matheson also voted against the Affordable Health Care for America Act. [8]
[edit] Committee assignments
Congressman Matheson sits on these committees and subcommittees in the 111th Congress:
[edit] Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Jim Matheson | 145,021 | 56% | Derek W. Smith | 107,114 | 41% | Bruce Bangerter | Independent American | 4,704 | 2% | Peter Pixton | Libertarian | 2,165 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2002 | Jim Matheson | 110,764 | 49% | John Swallow | 109,123 | 49% | Patrick Diehl | Green | 2,589 | 1% | Ron Copier | Libertarian | 1,622 | 1% | |||||
| 2004 | Jim Matheson | 187,250 | 55% | John Swallow | 147,778 | 43% | Jeremy P. Petersen | Constitution | 3,541 | 1% | Patrick Diehl | Green | 2,189 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2006 | Jim Matheson | 133,231 | 59% | LaVar Christensen | 84,234 | 37% | W. David Perry | Constitution | 3,395 | 2% | Bob Brister | Green | 3,338 | 1% | * | ||||
| 2008 | Jim Matheson | 204,268 | 63% | Bill Dew | 111,696 | 35% | Dennis Ray Emery | Constitution | 2,731 | 1% | Mathew Arndt | Libertarian | 4,171 | 1% | * |
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Congressman Jim Matheson — Biography". http://www.house.gov/matheson/bio.shtml. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ John McCormick. "Scott M. Matheson". Utah History Encyclopedia. University of Utah Press. http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MATHESON%2CSCOTT.html. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr. (2004-11-04). "Only a few Democrats were able to survive Utah's GOP 'sweep'". Deseret Morning News. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595102960,00.html. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ Jerry Spangler (2005-01-31). "Mormon Democrats link up in Congress". Deseret Morning News. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600108572,00.html. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr. (2006-08-31). "Matheson far enough to the right for Utahns". Deseret Morning News. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645195985,00.html. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ "2008 Votes by State Delegation". The American Conservative Union. http://www.acuratings.org/2008all.htm#UT. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr. (2006-10-29). "Frugal Matheson walks to own beat". Deseret Morning News. http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650202661,00.html. Retrieved 2006-11-09.
- ^ http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll398.xml
- ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson official House site
- Jim Matheson for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- 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
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Congressional profile at GovTrack.us
- Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia
- Questionnaire responses from Jim Matheson Deseret Morning News, October 15, 2006
- Respond to Congress issuing a pay raise House.gov, June 13 , 2006
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by Merrill Cook |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd congressional district 2001 – present |
Incumbent |
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