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| Tim Walberg | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 7th district |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | Mark Schauer |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009 |
|
| Preceded by | Joe Schwarz |
| Succeeded by | Mark Schauer |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 57th district |
|
| In office 1983–1998 |
|
| Succeeded by | Doug Spade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1951 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Susan Walberg |
| Children | Matthew Walberg Heidi Walberg Caleb Walberg |
| Residence | Tipton, Michigan |
| Alma mater | Fort Wayne Bible College, Wheaton College |
| Occupation | minister, college administrator |
| Religion | Non-Denominational Protestant |
Timothy Lee "Tim" Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is the current U.S. Representative for Michigan's 7th congressional district, and was also the former Congressman for the district from 2007 to 2009.
Contents |
[edit] Early life, education, and religious career
Born and educated in Chicago, Illinois, Walberg left a post-high school position with the U.S. Forest Service to pursue higher education. At one point working in a steel mill to help pay tuition, he studied forestry at Western Illinois University and attended Moody Bible Institute, but did not complete a degree until 1975, when he earned a B.A. in religious education from Fort Wayne Bible College. By then Walberg was half-way through a four-year stint as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in New Haven, Indiana, which concluded when he enrolled in the Wheaton College graduate school. After receiving an M.A. in communications in 1978, Walberg and his young family relocated to Tipton, Michigan, where he led services at Union Gospel Church and became involved in local anti-abortion movements. He resigned his pastorship in 1982 in preparation for a successful bid for the Michigan House of Representatives.
[edit] Michigan legislature
Walberg served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. He was succeeded by Doug Spade and the seat is currently held by Dudley Spade, both Democrats. Walberg also spent time as a pastor and as a division manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois while continuing to live in Michigan.[1]
[edit] U.S. House of Representatives
[edit] Elections
- 2004
After six years out of politics, Walberg ran in the 2004 Republican primary for the 7th District after six-term incumbent Nick Smith retired. He narrowly lost to former State Senator Joe Schwarz, a considerably more moderate Republican. Schwarz went on to win in November.
- 2006
Walberg immediately began gearing up for a rematch against Schwarz in 2006. During the 2006 primary, Walberg received financial support from various pro-life groups and the Club for Growth. His campaign criticized Schwarz for his positions on abortion, taxes, government / pork-barrel spending, and national security.[2] Additionally, Walberg campaigned for cutting taxes, against providing amnesty to illegal immigrants, against gay marriage, and against pork-barrel spending.[2][3] Walberg defeated Schwarz in the primary by 3,915 votes.[4]
In October 2006, the Walberg campaign faced scandal when the campaign's volunteer coordinator pled guilty to child abuse charges.[5] The allegations first appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot.[6] According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, "Walberg said he knew of the alleged abuse 'on or about Sept. 12'."[7] The staffer pled guilty to the charges on September 18 and left the campaign after the charges became public in October. Walberg frequently stated the matter was "private" and he hoped the best for the family involved.
Walberg's defeat of Schwarz gave the Democrats hope of winning the seat. Although Republicans had held it for decades, the 7th is a somewhat marginal district on paper; it narrowly voted for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996 and voted for George W. Bush almost as narrowly in 2000 and 2004. On the other hand, Schwarz had won the previous election (against the same Democratic opponent) by 22%.
On November 7, 2006, Walberg defeated Democrat Sharon Renier, the 2004 Democratic nominee. Walberg received 49.93% to Renier's 45.98%, less than he was expected to win by.[8] The Renier campaign spent $46,000[9] to Walberg's $1.2 million[10]
- 2008
Entering the 2008 race, Walberg was identified by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen as one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in congress.[11] On August 23, 2007, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer announced he would challenge Walberg in the 2008 election.[12] The prior occupant of the seat, Joe Schwarz, who was defeated by Walberg in the 2006 Republican primary declined to run himself, but on September 30 endorsed Schauer.[13]
Schauer narrowly defeated Walberg in the November 2008 election. Republican presidential candidate John McCain lost the district to Democrat Barack Obama by nearly 17,000 votes but outpolled Walberg by over 6,000 votes, while Walberg lost to Schauer by 7,432 votes. Between the two candidates, around $3.5 million dollars were spent on the campaign,[14] along with the massive amount spent by independent groups, made it the most expensive House race in the 2008 election.[15]
- 2010
Walberg challenged Democratic incubent Mark Schauer. Libertarian nominee Greg Merle, US Taxpayers nominee Eugene Aughney, and Green Party nominee Richard Wunsch were also running.
On July 14, 2009, Walberg announced that he was running for his old congressional seat.[16] He defeated Marvin Carlson and Brian Rooney in the Republican primary.
Prior to the election, nonpartisan polling showed the race as a dead heat.[17]
In the final results Walberg won the seat with 50.1% of the vote.[18]
[edit] Tenure
- Iraq War security comments
In March 2007, Walberg was a guest on the Jack Ebling show on WILS-AM. During the broadcast Walberg stated that most of Iraq was as stable as Detroit, Michigan or Harvey, Illinois. Both the offices of the Mayor of Detroit and the Mayor of Harvey released statements requesting an apology from Walberg. "Unfortunately, for years people have beat up on the city of Detroit. Detroit is the word for negative. We are working very hard to transform that image of our city", said James Canning, spokesman for the Detroit office of the Mayor. Mayor Kellogg of Harvey stated: "Even though our country appears to have accomplish(ed) great gains in racial harmony, we still have members of congress who suffer from the highest levels of ignorance and stupidity."[19]
- Great Lakes drilling controversy
Walberg received criticism from the Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer[20] following statements suggesting support for oil drilling in the Great Lakes. Following the criticism, at a constituent meeting, Walberg noted that drilling in the Great Lakes is currently prohibited by Michigan and federal law, and would not comment on whether he would support changing those laws.[21]
- Recall efforts
On August 6, 2007, the Lenawee County Elections Commission approved the wording for Jackson resident James Carr's recall petition.[22] While Michigan laws and constitution allow for recall elections, an attorney for Walberg says there is no provision in the U.S. Constitution for recalling a United States Congressperson and challenged the action in court. On August 28, 2007, Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Harvey Koselka issued an injunction that prohibited filing signed petitions with the state until a ruling is made on the constitutionality of recalling a member of Congress.[23][24] Carr has since ended his campaign.[25]
[edit] Committee assignments
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Walberg is known as both a social and economic conservative. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and the Tea Party Caucus.
[edit] Electoral history
- 2004 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District Republican Primary
- Joe Schwarz (R), 28%
- Brad Smith (R), 22%
- Tim Walberg (R), 18%
- Clark Bisbee (R), 14%
- Gene DeRossett (R), 11%
- Paul DeWeese (R), 7%
- 2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District Republican Primary
- Tim Walberg (R), 33,144, 53%
- Joe Schwarz (R) (inc.), 29,349, 47%
- 2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District
- Tim Walberg (R), 49.93%
- Sharon Renier (D), 45.98%
- Robert Hutchinson (L), 1.55%
- David Horn (UST), 1.47%
- Joe Schwarz (write-in), 1.07%
- 2008 election for the U.S. House of Representatives - 7th District
- Mark Schauer (D), 48.79%[26]
- Tim Walberg (R), 46.49%
- Lynn Meadows (G), 2.96%
- Ken Proctor (L), 1.76%
- 2010 election for the U.S. House of Representatives- 7th District
- Tim Walberg (R), 50.1%
- Mark Schauer (D), 45.4%
- Other, 4.5%
[edit] Personal life
Tim and his wife Sue live in Tipton (near Tecumseh, Michigan), where they brought up their three now-adult children. Walberg's son Matthew works as a crime reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
[edit] References
- ^ Hillsdale.net
- ^ a b The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org
- ^ The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org
- ^ "2006 Official Michigan Primary Election Results - 7th District Representative in Congress 2 Year Term (1) Position". Miboecfr.nictusa.com. http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/06PRI/06007000.html. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Our Apologies
- ^ Demas, Susan J. (October 25, 2006). "Staffer guilty of crime stays on". Jackson Citizen Patriot (MLive.com (archived at Michigan Department of Human Services News Clips). Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. http://web.archive.org/web/20070314125931/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/DHS-NewsClip10-25-06_176576_7.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-31. Demas, Susan J. (October 25, 2006). "Walberg campaign aide resigns". Jackson Citizen Patriot (MLive.com). Archived from the original on 2007-05-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20070515085643/http://www.mlive.com/jacitpat/latest/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_jcpatlive/archives/2006_10.html. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
- ^ Demas, Susan J. (October 27, 2006). "DeVos: Aide's resignation 'proper'". Jackson Citizen Patriot (MLive.com (archived at Michigan Department of Human Services News Clips). Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. http://web.archive.org/web/20070314125931/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/DHS-NewsClip10-25-06_176576_7.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
- ^ 2006 Official Michigan General Election Results - 7th District Representative in Congress 2 Year Term (1) Position
- ^ FEC Disclosure Form 3 for Sharon Renier for Congress
- ^ FEC Candidate Summary Reports - Candidate ID H4MI07103
- ^ Hotline On Call: Van Hollen's Top '08 Targets
- ^ "Senate minority leader to challenge Walberg". Lansing State Journal. 2007-08-23. http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/NEWS01/708230386. Retrieved 2007-08-24.[dead link]
- ^ Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-schauer-congress,0,7495459.story.
- ^ "Schauer declares victory in 7th District U.S. House race". Michigan Daily. 2008-11-05. http://www.michigandaily.com/content/2008-11-05/schauer-wins-7th-district. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
- ^ http://www.politickerco.com/jeremypelzer/2692/co-4-independent-spending-third-highest-nation
- ^ File photo. "Former Congressman Tim Walberg to challenge U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer for old seat". MLive.com. http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/07/walberg_to_challenge_us_rep_sc.html. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ "The Hill: Latest poll shows race between Mark Schauer, Tim Walberg a dead heat". Jackson Citizen Patriot. 2010-10-07. http://blog.mlive.com/jackson-politics/2010/10/the_hill_latest_poll_shows_race_between_mark_schauer_tim_walberg_a_dead_heat.html.
- ^ "Michigan - Election Results 2010". JNew York Times. 2010-11-03. http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/michigan.
- ^ Lansing State Journal[dead link]
- ^ Press Release
- ^ The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (A5,20070605,NEWS01,706050316,AR). | Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich
- ^ Recall campaign launched against Walberg. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
- ^ "Judge rules against Walberg recall effort". Associated Press. The Ann Arbor News. 2007-08-29. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. http://web.archive.org/web/20070930181027/http://www.mlive.com/annarbor/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-24/1188398414272300.xml&coll=2. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
- ^ Pelham, Dennis (2007-08-29). "Walberg recall over". The Daily Telegraph (Lenawee). http://www.lenconnect.com/articles/2007/08/29/news/news01.txt. Retrieved 2007-08-30.[dead link]
- ^ Misusing the recall process again The Daily Telegram. September 10, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007.
- ^ "The Capitol Record Since 1906". Michigan State University. http://youvote.msu.edu/GenElectResults2008.htm. Retrieved January 20, 2009.[dead link]
[edit] External links
 |
Simple English Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Tim Walberg |
- Congressman Tim Walberg official U.S. House site
- Tim Walberg for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- Congressional profile at GovTrack
- Congressional profile at OpenCongress
- Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
- Current Bills Sponsored at StateSurge.com
- Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
- Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Campaign contributions at the National Institute for Money in State Politics
- Appearances on C-SPAN programs
- Profile at SourceWatch
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joe Schwarz |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 7th congressional district January 3, 2007 - January 3, 2009 |
Succeeded by Mark Schauer |
| Preceded by Mark Schauer |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 7th congressional district 2011–present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Mike Fitzpatrick R-Pennsylvania |
United States Representatives by seniority 341st |
Succeeded by Sandy Adams R-Florida |
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