Rob Wittman

Rob Wittman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 11, 2007
Preceded by	Jo Ann Davis
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 99th district
In office January 13, 2006 – December 11, 2007
Preceded by	Albert C. Pollard
Succeeded by	Albert C. Pollard
Personal details
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kathryn Jane Sisson
Residence	Montross, Virginia
Alma mater	Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth University

Robert J. Wittman (born February 3, 1959) is currently the Republican representative of Virginia's 1st congressional district. The district stretches from the fringes of the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area. It is nicknamed "America's First District" because the site of Jamestown is located there.

Early life, education and career

Wittman grew up in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as a member of the Corps of Cadets and Army ROTC. While at Virginia Tech, he spent the summers working at a tomato cannery and on a fishing vessel. He later earned a Master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph. D. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Wittman worked for 20 years with the Virginia Department of Health. He served as an environmental health specialist and later was field director for the Division of Shellfish Sanitation.

Wittman served on the Montross Town Council from 1986 to 1996 and as Mayor of the Town of Montross from 1992 to 1996. Two of his major accomplishments in this office were the overhaul of the sewage system and the development of a computerized system for tax billing. From 1996 to 2005, Wittman served on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, the last two years as chairman. He helped with the creation of new libraries and pushed for raises in teacher salaries.

Virginia House of Delegates

In 2005, Wittman was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 99th district. He served on the Agricultural; Chesapeake and Natural Resources; and Police and Public Safety Committees while in the state House.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Readiness
  • Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces
  • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Military Personnel
• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
  • Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

Political campaigns

2007

On December 11, 2007, Wittman was first elected to the United States Congress to succeed the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis, who died in October 2007. He was heavily favored in the special election due to the 1st's heavy Republican bent; it has been in Republican hands since 1977. The Independent Green candidate was Lucky Narain.

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2008 § District 1

Wittman was elected to his first full term on November 4, 2008.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2010 § District 1

See also: Virginia's 1st congressional district election, 2010

Wittman is seeking reelection in 2010, facing Independent-Green candidate Gail for Rail Parker and Democrat Krystal Ball.

=Political positions

In 2010, Wittman stated platforms include strengthening the economy through cutting taxes, supporting small businesses, expanding broadband, and reigning in out-of-control spending.

Wittman is the cosponsor of legislation that would place a 2-year moratorium on capital gains and dividends taxes, cut the payroll tax rate and the self-employed tax rate in half for two years, and reduce the lowest income brackets by 5% each. He also cites a the need to "cut the bureaucratic red-tape that stifles small businesses and innovation."

Wittman has also cited support for "upholding our Constitution, keeping America safe at home and abroad (including support for veterans), restoring the environment, improving education, solving our transportation problems, working for energy independence, reforming healthcare, and fighting illegal immigration, and supporting homeowners affected by Chinese drywall."

External links

• Congressman Rob Wittman official U.S. House site
• Rob Wittman for U.S. Congress official campaign site
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Profile at Vote Smart