Dave Loebsack
Dave Loebsack | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 2nd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Jim Leach |
Personal details | |
Born | Sioux City, Iowa, U.S. | December 23, 1952
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Terry Loebsack |
Residence | Iowa City, Iowa |
Education | Iowa State University (BA, MA) University of California, Davis (PhD) |
David Wayne Loebsack (/ˈloʊbˌsæk/; born December 23, 1952) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Iowa's 2nd congressional district since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, he also is an emeritus professor of political science at Cornell College.[1] The district includes most of Iowa's southeastern part; Loebsack is a resident of Iowa City. He currently is the only Democrat in Iowa's congressional delegation.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Cement Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus[3]
- Congressional Arts Caucus[4]
- Afterschool Caucuses[5]
Voting record
Consistently, David Loebsack has voted in line with the Democratic Party. Out of 1,551 total votes, he has voted with the Democratic Party 90% of the time. He has voted consistently to protect legal access to abortion and to pass measures that instill regulations that aim to protect the environment. He strongly believes in Wall Street reform and regulation, is generally in opposition to bailouts, and has stated that his "role in government is to help stick up for the little guy".
Interest Group Ratings
Economic
David Loebsack’s Interest Group Ratings concerning fiscal (economic) issues reinforce his general allegiance to party lines. Regarding the budget, spending, and taxes, he received 4% from the conservative Citizens Against Government Waste (2010), 36% from the National Journal Conservative Economic Policy Score (2011), and 64% from the National Journal Liberal Economic Policy Score (2011). Concerning Business and Consumers, Loebsack received 100% from the American Council of Engineering Companies (2009–2010), 0% from the conservative Alliance for Worker Freedom (2008), and 66% from the National Small Business Association (2011).
Civil liberties
Similar to Loebsack’s Interest Group Ratings regarding the economy, his social ratings also adhere to party lines. Regarding civil liberties and civil rights, Loebsack has received 91% from the Human Rights Campaign (2009–2010), 95% from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (2009–2010), and 20% from the Arab American Institute (2009–2010). Loebsack has generally scored high among Interest Groups involved in civil liberties.
Environment
Concerning the Environment, he received 94% from the League of Conservation Voters (2011) and 90% from Environment America (2011).
Abortion
Finally, his Interest Group Ratings concerning abortion reflect the Democratic party position, receiving 100% from NARAL Pro-Choice America (2011) and 0% from the National Right to Life Committee (2011).
Political campaigns
2006
In 2006 Loebsack defeated 15-term incumbent Jim Leach in one of the biggest upsets of the cycle. Loebsack was nominated by a special convention of the 2nd District after failing to get the required number of signatures to be on the primary ballot. Since there was no one qualified for the ballot, the convention was called to determine the nomination. The 2nd had been trending Democratic for some time (a Republican presidential candidate hasn't carried it since 1984), and was reckoned as the most Democratic district in the state. It was taken for granted that Leach would have been succeeded by a Democrat once he retired. Nonetheless, Leach was not on any Democratic target lists. Loebsack won largely by running up an 8,395-vote margin in Johnson County, home to Iowa City.
2008
Loebsack was easily reelected in 2008, taking 57 percent of the vote over Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a doctor from Ottumwa and the former president of the state medical society.
2010
Loebsack faced Miller-Meeks again in 2010 and had a much more difficult time of it than he had two years earlier. He prevailed with only 51% of the vote, largely by running up a 13,900-vote margin in Johnson County. Terry Branstad easily carried the district in his successful bid to reclaim the governorship. Chuck Grassley carried every county in the district except Johnson; in fact, Johnson was the only county Grassley lost in his bid for another term.
2012
After redistricting moved Loebsack's home in Mount Vernon to the 1st District of fellow Democrat Bruce Braley, Loebsack moved to Iowa City in the reconfigured 2nd. The redrawn district is no less Democratic than its predecessor; it regained Davenport, which had been the anchor of the 2nd and its predecessors for decades before being shifted out of the district in the 2000s round of redistricting.
Loebsack won the election with 55.4% of the vote. His Republican opponent, John Archer, got 42.5%; Alan Aversa, an Independent candidate, received 2.2%. Braley won the 1st district with 56.9% of the vote.[6]
2014
Loebsack beat Miller-Meeks, 52.5% to 47.5%. The 1st district went Republican, leaving Loebsack the only Democratic House member from Iowa.[7]
2016
In October 2016, the Daily Iowan endorsed Loebsack, saying that while he was "not perfect" he displayed a "willingness to work with the other side" and had "maintained some degree of competence in office."[8] Loebsack beat Christopher Peters, 54% to 46%. Again, Loebsack was the only Democrat that Iowa sent to the House in 2016. The state went for Donald Trump by a comfortable margin, and Republican Chuck Grassley was returned to the Senate by a landslide.[9] Despite the Republican swing in Iowa, Loebsack managed to hold his position as a Democrat.
Tenure
Taxation
In November 2017, Loebsack was the only House member from Iowa to vote against tax reform, claiming the "tax plan that was rushed through the House of Representatives will hurt everyday Iowans."[10]
Immigration
In September 2017, Loebsack told Ottumwa voters that he supports "Dreamers." He said, "We've got do everything we can to protect them."[11]
Electoral history
2006
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack | 107,683 | 51.38 | |||
Republican | James A. Leach (incumbent) | 101,707 | 48.53 | |||
No party | Others | 196 | 0.09 | |||
Total votes | 209,586 | 100.00 | ||||
Turnout | ||||||
Democratic gain from Republican |
2008
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack (incumbent) | 175,218 | 57.19 | |
Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 118,778 | 38.77 | |
Green | Wendy Barth | 6,664 | 2.18 | |
Independent | Brian White | 5,437 | 1.78 | |
No party | Others | 261 | 0.09 | |
Total votes | 306,358 | 100.00 | ||
Turnout | ||||
Democratic hold |
2010
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack (incumbent) | 115,839 | 50.99 | |
Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 104,319 | 45.92 | |
Libertarian | Gary Joseph Sicard | 4,356 | 1.92 | |
Constitution | Jon Tack | 2,463 | 1.08 | |
No party | Others | 198 | 0.09 | |
Total votes | 227,175 | 100.00 | ||
Turnout | ||||
Democratic hold |
2012
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack (incumbent) | 211,863 | 55.57 | |
Republican | John Archer | 161,977 | 42.48 | |
Independent | Alan Aversa | 7,112 | 1.87 | |
No party | Others | 323 | 0.08 | |
Total votes | 381,275 | 100.00 | ||
Turnout | ||||
Democratic hold |
2014
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack (incumbent) | 143,431 | 52.48 | |
Republican | Mariannette Miller-Meeks | 129,455 | 47.36 | |
Write-ins | 443 | 0.16 | ||
Total votes | 273,329 | 100 | ||
Democratic hold |
2016
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Dave Loebsack (incumbent) | 198,571 | 53.66 | |
Republican | Christopher Peters | 170,933 | 46.19 | |
Write-ins | 528 | 0.15 | ||
Total votes | 370,032 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold |
References
- ^ "Politics Faculty | Cornell College". www.cornellcollege.edu. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
- ^ a b "U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack". U.S. Government. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
- ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
- ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
- ^ Lattman, Peter; Iowa - Election 2012; New York Times; https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/states/iowa.html
- ^ Iowa Election Results 2014; New York Times; https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/iowa-elections
- ^ Endorsement: Dave Loebsack
- ^ Iowa Results; New York Times; https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/iowa
- ^ Meyer, Elizabeth; Dave Loebsack, Iowa’s lone Democrat, votes no on tax bill; The Hawk Eye; November 17, 2017; http://www.thehawkeye.com/news/20171117/dave-loebsack-iowas-lone-democrat-votes-no-on-tax-bill
- ^ Menon, Aish; Congressman Dave Loebsack talks about DACA and other issues; KTVO; http://ktvo.com/news/local/congressman-dave-loebsack-talks-about-daca-and-other-issues
External links
- U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack official U.S. House site
- Dave Loebsack for Congress
- ‹The template Curlie is being considered for deletion.› Dave Loebsack at Curlie
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- 1952 births
- American expatriates in Iceland
- American Methodists
- Cornell College faculty
- Iowa Democrats
- Iowa State University alumni
- University of California, Davis alumni
- Living people
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Iowa
- Politicians from Sioux City, Iowa
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- 21st-century American politicians