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==Early life, education, and farming career==
==Early life, education, and farming career==
Rehberg was born in [[Billings, Montana]], the son of Patricia Rae (née Cooley) and Jack Dennis Rehberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/rehberg.htm |title=Dennis R. “Denny” Rehberg: b. 5 Oct 1955 Billings, Yellowstone Co., MT |publisher=rootsweb.ancestry.com |date= |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}</ref> He attended Billings West High School and [[Montana State University - Bozeman|Montana State University]]. While at Washington State University he joined The Fraternity Delta Lambda Phi.
Rehberg was born in [[Billings, Montana]], the son of Patricia Rae (née Cooley) and Jack Dennis Rehberg.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/reps/rehberg.htm |title=Dennis R. “Denny” Rehberg: b. 5 Oct 1955 Billings, Yellowstone Co., MT |publisher=rootsweb.ancestry.com |date= |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}</ref> He attended Billings West High School and [[Montana State University - Bozeman|Montana State University]].


Since 1996, Rehberg has been managing the Rehberg Ranch near Billings. He oversees a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rehberg.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=12&sectiontree=3,12 |title=Congressman Denny Rehberg : Biography |publisher=Rehberg.house.gov |date=2010-08-17 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref>
Since 1996, Rehberg has been managing the Rehberg Ranch near Billings. He oversees a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rehberg.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=12&sectiontree=3,12 |title=Congressman Denny Rehberg : Biography |publisher=Rehberg.house.gov |date=2010-08-17 |accessdate=2010-08-23}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:01, 14 May 2012

Denny Rehberg
File:Denny Rehberg 2009.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's At-large district
Assumed office
January 3, 2001
Preceded byRick Hill
26th Lieutenant Governor of Montana
In office
January 20, 1991 – January 15, 1997
GovernorStan Stephens
Marc Racicot
Preceded byAllen Kolstad
Succeeded byJudy Martz
Member of the Montana House of Representatives
In office
1985–1991
Personal details
Born
Dennis R. Rehberg

(1955-10-05) October 5, 1955 (age 68)
Billings, Montana
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJan Rehberg
ChildrenA.J. Rehberg
Katie Rehberg
Elsie Rehberg
ResidenceBillings, Montana
Alma materWashington State University
OccupationRancher, political assistant

Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg (born October 5, 1955) is the U.S. Representative for Montana's at-large congressional district, serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.[1]

Early life, education, and farming career

Rehberg was born in Billings, Montana, the son of Patricia Rae (née Cooley) and Jack Dennis Rehberg.[2] He attended Billings West High School and Montana State University.

Since 1996, Rehberg has been managing the Rehberg Ranch near Billings. He oversees a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.[3]

Early political career

Staffer

In 1977 he began working as an intern in the Montana State Senate, and two years later he joined the Washington, D.C. staff of Montana U.S. Congressman Ron Marlenee as a legislative assistant. In 1982, Rehberg returned to farming, until running for the State House in 1984.

Montana legislature

Rehberg was elected then to the Montana State House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991, where he served three terms. In the legislature, he considered himself to be a fiscal conservative, and he advocated balancing the state budget without any tax increases. He was the only freshman member to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.

Lieutenant Governor

In July 1991, Rehberg was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Governor Stan Stephens. He was subsequently elected to a full term in 1992.

As Lieutenant Governor, Rehberg sought to bring government back to the local level by traveling to all 56 counties every year. He chaired the Drought Advisory Committee and the Task Force credited with reforming Worker’s Compensation, the Montana Rural Development Council, and several health care initiatives. He was succeeded as Lieutenant Governor by fellow Republican Judy Martz.

1996 U.S. Senate election

Main article: United States Senate election in Montana, 1996

He ran for a seat in the United States Senate against incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Max Baucus, 50%-45%.[4]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2000-2004

Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Rick Hill of Montana's At-large congressional district decided to retire after two terms in 2000. Rehberg decided to run and won the Republican primary with 74% of the vote.[5] In the general election, he defeated Democrat State School Superintendent Nancy Keenan 52%-44%.[6] In 2002, he won re-election to a second term with 65%.[7] In 2004, he won re-election to a third term with 64%.[8]

2006
Main article: United States House of Representatives election in Montana, 2006

He won re-election to a fourth term against Democrat State Representative Monica Lindeen 59%-39%.[9]

2008
Main article: United States House of Representatives election in Montana, 2008

He won re-election to a fifth term against Democrat State Representative John Driscoll 64%-32%.[10]

2010
Main article: United States House of Representatives election in Montana, 2010

He won re-election to a sixth term against Democrat Dennis McDonald 60%-33%.[11]

Tenure

Homosexuality

Rehberg left an "Idaho Travel Package" on the airplane seat of Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho. The contents included a stuffed sheep with gloves attached to it, a Village People CD, books on cross-dressing and sign language, and a T-shirt that reads, "My senator may not be gay, but my governor is Butch."[12] Rehberg's travel bag was first reported by The Hill newspaper, which covers Congress. It said Rehberg was proud of the gift bag and quoted him as boasting, "I spent a bit of time putting the things together."[12]

In the Dec. 26, 1994, issue of Newsweek, then Lt. Governor Rehberg was quoted as saying "The problem with AIDS is you get it, you die, so why are we spending [money on] any people that get it?" when discussing why he supported cutting the state's hospital budget.[13]

Rehberg opposes gay marriage, and supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.[14] He voted against the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, a bill that amends the Federal definition of a hate crime to include gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill passed, 237 to 180.[15]

Pell Grants

After having scrutinized the Pell Grant program as one that was 'expanding' too quickly, congressman Rehberg set his sights on the free school lunch program as a program where there was potential of taxpayers being ripped off, although the state Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau expressed the real concern that not enough families that qualify request the assistance.[16]

Iraq War

Rehberg voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.[17]

Rehberg currently serves on the Military Quality of Life and Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. In 2007, he voted against the Mandatory Troop Rest Periods between Deployments to Iraq bill (creates a mandatory rest period between deployments to Iraq for members of the Armed Forces, passed) and against the Redeployment from Iraq Act (reduces the presence of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq by April 1, 2008, passed).[18] In 2002, he voted for the Joint Resolution on the Use of Military Force Against Iraq (adopted).[19]

Environmental record

Rehberg describes himself as “a lifelong steward of the land”. He voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 and against the Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001.[20] He is currently one of the foremost critics on keeping the Gray Wolf on the endangered species list.[21] On environmental issues, Rehberg has also been given low ratings by interest groups. Environment America gave him an 8% rating in 2008, and 27% rating in 2009. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund gave him a 13% rating. In his position statement on Economic Development, he said “Our [Montana’s] coal and natural gas reserves stretch for hundreds of years into the future, and we can turn them into much needed energy.” Dennis Rehberg states opposition to the Shays-Meehan bill from 1998, of which he says it “stripped freedom of speech rights from Montana citizens.” Aside from the bill, he makes a point to say he supports full and open disclosure laws for campaign finance reform.

Economic record

On April 15, 2011, Rehberg was one of four Republican members of Congress to vote against The Path to Prosperity.[22]

Committee assignments

Current Congress
110th Congress (2007-2008)
  • House Committee on Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on House Committee on House Committee on Financial Services and General Government
    • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
109th Congress (2005-2006)
  • House Committee on Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies -
    • Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs
    • Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

Caucus memberships

Congressional staff

  • Chief of Staff, Legislative Director: Jay Martin
  • Deputy Chief of Staff: Kristin Smith
  • State Director: Randy Vogel
  • Scheduler: Madeleine Coleman
  • Communications Director: Jed Link
  • Press Secretary: Tom Schultz
  • Legislative Assistants: Abra Belke, Kelly Pike, Eric Bierwagen[24]

2012 U.S. Senate election

See also: United States Senate election in Montana, 2012

On February 6, 2011, Rehberg announced that he would challenge Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in 2012.[25] According to Salon, it is a "race that pundits are saying could be a tough challenge for Tester."[26]

Personal life

Rehberg married his high school sweetheart, Jan, a water attorney who represents farmers and ranchers. They have been married for over 25 years and have three children, A.J., Katie, and Elsie.

Wealth

With a net worth of 6.5 to 56.1 million dollars, Rehberg is the fourteenth-richest U.S. Representative in the House.[27] However, on May 1, 2011, he told an audience member at a town hall meeting that he was "struggling like everyone else."[28]

Boating accident

On the night of Thursday, August 27, 2009, while in the area for a series of town hall forums on healthcare, Rehberg was a passenger in a boating accident near Bigfork, MT on Flathead Lake. Montana State Senate Majority Whip Greg Barkus was driving the boat.[29][26]

Rehberg, Barkus and his wife Kathy, and two Rehberg aides were hospitalized in Kalispell following the accident, which took place sometime between 10pm and midnight. Dustin Frost, Rehbeg's 27 year-old state director in Montana, suffered a brain injury. Frost was in a coma for more than a week.[29][30] Rehberg sustained a broken ankle and rib fractures.[31]

Law enforcement agents are investigating the cause of the accident, including "how fast the boat was going, who was driving, and 'whether alcohol and drugs were involved.'" [29] Barkus "was found to have a blood alcohol content of .16 two hours after the accident. Despite the fact that, according to a witness quoted in the criminal complaint, Barkus had been drinking scotch and wine at a lakeside restaurant that night, Rehberg later said he 'was surprised to learn the results of Greg's blood alcohol test.'"[26] Rehberg released his BAC, measured several hours after the crash, at 0.5 but it was actually 0.055.[32]

Barkus ultimately pleaded no contest to a felony criminal endangerment charge and was given a four-year deferred sentence.[26]

Lawsuit against Billings firefighters

In July 2010, Rehberg's corporation that has developed a subdivision on his former ranch land sued the City of Billings and its Fire Department for failing to protect trees and some scrub brush.[33] While the suit was filed in July, Rehberg and his wife did not push forward with litigation, given the political pressures of the 2010 Congressional campaign.[34] Statewide, Fire Department officials are concerned that suits like those filed by Rehberg will hurt efforts to contain fires. As KXLH News reported, "Now, two Helena-area fire department chiefs are saying cases like this could affect their operations. "We are balancing 1,000 things and the number one priority is life safety. So, even though we are afraid of being sued and all the other things, it certainly pales in comparison to sitting across the table from someone's wife or husband and telling them that they are dead or injured,"Tri-Lakes Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bob Drake said.[35]

Memberships

  • Member, Billings Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Billings Downtown Rotary Club
  • Former Chair, Montana Rural Development Council
  • Member, Montana Stockgrowers Association
  • State Chair, Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • National Guard and Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization.

Electoral history

Montana's at-large congressional district: Results 2000–2010[36]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct Libertarian Votes Pct
2000 Denny Rehberg 211,418 51.5% Nancy Keenan 180,971 44.1% James J. Tikalsky 9,132 2.2%
2002 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 214,100 64.6% Steve Kelly 108,233 32.7% Mike Fellows 8,988 2.7%
2004 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 286,076 64.4% Tracy Velazquez 145,606 32.8% Mike Fellows 12,458 2.8%
2006 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 239,124 58.9% Monica J. Lindeen 158,916 39.1% Mike Fellows 8,085 2%
2008 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 307,132 64.2% John Driscoll 154,713 32.4% Mike Fellows 16,282 3.4%
2010 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 217,696 60.4% Dennis McDonald 121,954 33.8% Mike Fellows 20,691 7.9%

References

  1. ^ Lipton, Eric (December 23, 2011). "Mining Companies Back Friend's Bid for Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  2. ^ "Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg: b. 5 Oct 1955 Billings, Yellowstone Co., MT". rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "Congressman Denny Rehberg : Biography". Rehberg.house.gov. 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  4. ^ "MT US Senate Race - Nov 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  5. ^ "MT US Senate- R Primary Race - Jun 04, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  6. ^ "MT At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "MT At-Large Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  8. ^ "MT At-Large Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  9. ^ "MT - At-Large Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  10. ^ "MT - At-Large Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "MT - At-Large Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b Rothstein, Betsy (February 13, 2008). "Rep. Rehberg's practical plane joke". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012.
  13. ^ December 26, 1994 (1994-12-26). "1994 Perspectives". Newsweek. Retrieved 2010-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg - Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  15. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Rehberg on HR 1592 - Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  16. ^ "Montana GOPer Fears School Lunch Fraud Is Eating Taxpayer Money". TPM. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  17. ^ Roll call vote, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
  18. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg - Voting Record". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  19. ^ "2011 National Key Votes - Project Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  20. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg - Voting Record". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  21. ^ "Listening is first step in crafting wolf legislation". Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  22. ^ house.gov (2011-04-15). "Final vote results for roll call 277". Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  23. ^ "U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus Members". House of Representatives. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  24. ^ "National Federation of Independent Businesses". Capwiz.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  25. ^ Official website
  26. ^ a b c d Elliott, Justin (February 2, 2011). "Senate hopeful was involved in drunken boat crash". Salon.
  27. ^ "Denny Rehberg (R-Mont), 2008". OpenSecrets. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  28. ^ "Wealthy Lawmaker Claims to be Struggling". Political Wire. Retrieved 05/02/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  29. ^ a b c Ann, Mary. "The Sleuth - Rep. Rehberg Hospitalized, Boat Crash Under Investigation". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  30. ^ [1][dead link]
  31. ^ "Campers recount Montana boat crash, rescue - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |". Kxxv.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  32. ^ Scott, Tristan (2009-09-24). "Rehberg irresponsible for crash role, challenger says". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2010-08-23. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  33. ^ "Rehberg Ranch Estates sues city of Billings". Billings Gazette. 2010-07-04. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  34. ^ "Rehberg lawsuit against city firefighters sits idle". Billings Gazette. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  35. ^ "Helena-area fire officials comment on Rehberg lawsuit against Billings". KXLH.com. 2010-07-28. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  36. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Montana
1991–1997 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large congressional district
2001–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
184th 		Succeeded by

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