Robert Aderholt

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Robert Aderholt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Tom Bevill
Born	July 22, 1965 (1965-07-22) (age 43) Haleyville, Alabama
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Caroline Aderholt
Residence	Haleyville, Alabama
Alma mater	Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University
Profession	attorney
Religion	United Methodist (convert from Congregationalist)

Robert Brown Aderholt^[1] (born July 22, 1965) is an American politician and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Alabama's 4th congressional district (map). The district includes most of the far northern suburbs of Birmingham, as well as the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.

[edit] Life and political career

Aderholt was born in Haleyville, where he still lives, to Mary Frances Brown and Bobby Ray Aderholt.^[2] Aderholt's father, a part-time minister for a small group of Congregational churches in northwest Alabama, was a circuit judge for more than 30 years, and his wife's father was a state commissioner and senator. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College where he graduated. Aderholt received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and practed law after graduation. In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge, and in 1995 become the top aide to Governor Fob James. With that experience, he won the Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill, who retired from Congress in 1996.

As the Republican nominee, Aderholt faced a considerable challenge against State Senator Bob Wilson Jr., who called himself a Democrat "in the Tom Bevill tradition". In a culturally conservative district, Aderholt didn't hedge on cultural issues. This was a seriously contested district, receiving a deal of national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won narrowly, 50%-48%, and hasn't faced serious opposition since.

Aderholt also endorsed a candidate for circuit judgeship in Blount County, Steven King. Though the move was controversial, King won the judgeship. Aderholt was subsequently criticized by many for endorsing someone that was not from his own district.

Aderholt is married to the former Caroline McDonald. They have two children. The Aderholts live in Arlington, Virginia.

[edit] House record

Aderholt's voting record is generally conservative, however his vote on economic issues has been generally based on the concerns of his district rather than an overarching ideology. He has been notable in his support of quotas on steel imports and sponsored a bill assessing additional antidumping duties on foreign steel in 1999. He reached out further to industrial unions with his vote against PNTR with China. Aderholt's most notable success has been the continued protection of the sock industry, based out of Fort Payne, Alabama. He voted against the free trade agreements with Chile, Morocco, and Singapore, but supported the US-Australia FTA. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Aderholt has secured a significant amount of highway and sewer funding for the 4th District.

Aderholt is a staunch supporter and confidant of "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore, whose home is in Gadsden, the longtime political center of the district. Moore joined Aderholt when Aderholt introduced controversial legislation which would remove issues regarding the First Amendment to the Constitution from the reach of the Federal Courts.

Aderholt has somewhat successfully converted this ancestrally Democratic seat into a Republican bastion of the south.

Aderholt voted in favor of CAFTA, but has since stated that he relied on promises by the Bush White House that were not kept.

[edit] Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch (Ranking Member)
• Committee on the Budget
• Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

[edit] Electoral history

2008 General Election

2006 General Election

2004 General Election

2002 General Election

Previous Elections

• General Election 2000: Robert Aderholt (R) — 61%
• General Election 1998: Robert Aderholt (R) — 56%
• General Election 1996: Robert Aderholt (R) — 50%

[edit] Group ratings (2004)

• National Journal
  • Economic: 27% Liberal, 72% Conservative
  • Social: 0% Liberal, 91% Conservative
  • Foreign: 4% Liberal, 93% Conservative
• Americans for Democratic Action: 0
• American Civil Liberties Union: 0
• Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 100
• Christian Coalition: 100
• American Conservative Union: 92
• National Taxpayers Union: 49
• League of Conservation Voters: 9

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• U.S. Congressman Robert B. Aderholt official House 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