Mark Amodei

Mark E. Amodei
Member of the Nevada Senate from the Capital district
In office 1999-2010
Preceded by	Ernie Adler
Succeeded by	James Settelmeyer
Member of the Nevada House of Representatives from the Capital district
In office 1996-1999
Personal details
Born	(1958-06-12) June 12, 1958 Carson City, Nevada
Political party	Republican
Children	Ryanne, Erin
Residence	Carson City, Nevada
Alma mater	University of Nevada, University of the Pacific
Profession	U.S. Army captain, Attorney
Website	[1]

Mark E. Amodei (pronounced ah-muh-day) was a Republican member of the Nevada Senate, representing the Capital District (map) since 1998. Previously he served in the Nevada Assembly from 1997 through 1998. After public office as state Senator, he served as chairman of the Nevada Republican Party until May 2011, when he stepped down in order to pursue the republican nomination for congress. Amodei is a candidate for the special election to be held September 13, 2011, to replace former Congressman Dean Heller in Nevada's second congressional district.

Early life

Mark was born to an Irish couple. Donald Amodei was a volunteer fireman who found his calling with the Forestry Division, while his wife Joy worked for a local physician. He has a younger sister Denise.

He graduated from Carson High School in 1976, where he was student class president. Mark attended the University of Nevada before enrolling at McGeorge Law School, where he received his J.D. in 1983.

When Amodei entered the U.S. Army, he had not yet passed the bar exam. So, he was assigned to an artillery division. Upon passing the bar, he became an Army J.A.G.C. officer prosecuting criminal matters, an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Post Judge Advocate. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Award. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Mark returned home become an attorney.

Assemblyman

In 1996, he was elected to the Nevada Assembly, representing Carson City, the state capital. He was named the Outstanding Freshman Legislator.

State Senator

He selected to serve as the President pro tempore of the Nevada State Senate. He has served on the Legislative Commission, Vice Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Public Health Care, Education Commission of the States, Public Lands committee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Legislative Oversight committee, Chairman of the Education Technology committee, and was a member of the Nevada Supreme Court's committee on Court Funding.

2003 tax increase

Amodei was the co-author, with Democratic Senator Terry Care, of a plan in 2003 to increase taxes in Nevada by $1 billion. The plan was offered as an alternative to governor Kenny Guinn's tax plan, which called for over $1 billion in revenue increases. The final plan raised taxes by $873 million.

Expanding collective bargaining for state workers

In 2009, Amodei supported a proposal to expand collect bargaining rights for state workers, whom he believed were unfairly treated during the budget process.

Gas tax increase

In 2009, Amodei sponsored a bill that would have allowed for a gas tax increase in Washoe County; the plan gained public approval in an advisory vote.

Opposed medical liability reform

In 2003, Amodei voted against a tort reform bill that would have changed Nevada's medical liability law. He was the only Republican Senator to vote against the bill.

2010 Run for U.S. Senate

Main article: United States Senate election in Nevada, 2010

Amodei ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate against Democrat Harry Reid, the Majority Leader. He dropped out before election day, as State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle won the primary and lost the general election to Reid.

2011 Run for U.S. House of Representatives

On September 13, 2011, Nevada will choose a replacement for Congressman Dean Heller, who was appointed to fill John Ensign's seat the U.S. Senate, following his resignation from the position. Amodei announced his bid for the congressional seat in May 2011. The next month, he won the Republican nomination by taking in 221 out of 323 ballots to win. He only needed 162 votes. He defeated State Senator Greg Brower, who received just 56 votes and prominent U.S. Navy Veteran Kirk Lippold, who received just 46 votes.

Electoral history

1998 Nevada Senate election in the Capital District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mark E. Amodei	12,348	53%
	Democratic	Ernie Alder (Incumbent)	10,896	47%
Majority			1,452	6%
Turnout			23,244
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing

2002 Nevada Senate election in the Capital District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mark E. Amodei	25,368	82%
	Democratic	David Schumann	4,962	16%
	Republican hold		Swing

2006 Nevada Senate election in the Capital District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mark E. Amodei	27,039	78%
	Democratic	Ike Yochum	7,761	22%
	Republican hold		Swing

Political positions

According to his campaign website here is what he says he would support as U.S. Senator:

• Reduce taxes
• Reform regulations
• Provide incentives
• Extend Bush tax cuts
• Cut spending
• Oppose government run health care

Personal life

Amodei has two daughters: Erin, a nursing student at Truckee Meadows Community College, and Ryanne,a physician trainer on the DaVinci Robotic Surgical Instrument and former engineer in the U.S. Navy.

External links

• Amodei 4 Nevada official website
• Nevada State Legislature - Senator Mark E. Amodei official government website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Mark E. Amodei (NV) profile
• [2]