Matt Salmon

Matthew James Salmon
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Sam Coppersmith
Succeeded by	Jeff Flake
Personal details
Born	January 21, 1958 (1958-01-21) Salt Lake City, Utah
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Arizona State University Brigham Young University
Religion	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)

Matthew James "Matt" Salmon (born January 21, 1958) is a former Republican Congressional Representative from Arizona. In 2002, he lost to Janet Napolitano in a highly competitive Arizona governor's race.

Early life, education, and business career

Salmon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona in 1976. He later went on to attend Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in 1981. In 1986 he graduated with a master's in public administration from Brigham Young University, later becoming a telecommunications executive and community affairs manager. Based on his telecommunications and community affairs experience, Salmon decided in 1991 to run for elected office. Salmon is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Arizona Senate

He served as a member of the Arizona Senate from 1991 to 1995. From 1993 to 1995 he was the assistant majority leader.

U.S. House of Representatives

In 1994 he was elected as a Republican to the 104th and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1995–January 3, 2001). During his first Congressional election campaign, term limits were a high-profile issue. Salmon was one of many candidates nationwide who pledged to serve only three terms in Congress. He honored his campaign pledge and did not stand for reelection to the 107th Congress in 2000.

Salmon was instrumental obtaining the January 29, 2000 release of U.S. based academic researcher Song Yongyi from detention in China on spying charges.

Accomplishments

• "Watchdog of the Treasury" award six years in a row
• "Taxpayer Hero" award from Citizens Against Government Waste
• "Friend of Small Business" award from the National Federation of Independent Business

Post-congressional career

He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2002. After that race, he served as a lobbyist and chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

In 2007, he served as campaign manager to businessman Scott Smith's successful campaign for Mayor of Mesa. In 2008, he became President of the Competitive Telecommunications Association, a Washington, D.C.-based trade association.

2012 congressional run

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona, 2012

In April 2011 Salmon announced he would run in 2012 for Congress in Arizona's 6th congressional district, the seat left open by Jeff Flake, who succeeded Salmon in 2001. He has been endorsed by the Club for Growth.

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• 2002 Arizona Governor's Race USA Today November 11, 2002
• Salmon holds vision for Arizona's GOP "Ex-congressman eyes chairman seat" The Arizona Republic November 28, 2004 (restricted access)

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Sam Coppersmith	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st congressional district 1995–2001	Succeeded by Jeff Flake