Jump to content

Keith Rothfus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lyttle-Wight (talk | contribs) at 10:23, 9 October 2018 (→Elections: Add 2016 election.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Keith Rothfus
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded byMark Critz
Personal details
Born
Keith James Rothfus

(1962-04-25) April 25, 1962 (age 62)
Endicott, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseElsie Rothfus
Children6
EducationBuffalo State College (BS)
University of Notre Dame (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Keith James Rothfus /ˈrɒθfəs/ (born April 25, 1962)[1] is the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district. He succeeded Democrat Mark Critz, whom he defeated in the 2012 election.[2][3] Prior to serving in Congress, he worked as an attorney. After new congressional district maps were released by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in February 2018, Rothfus became a candidate in Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district.

Early life and education

Rothfus was born in 1962 in Endicott, New York. He graduated from West Seneca West Senior High School in 1980. He graduated from the State University of New York College at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in information systems. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1994.[4]

Law career

For most of his adult life, Rothfus has been a corporate attorney. He was employed by the United States Department of Homeland Security from 2006 to 2007. He has also been a member of the Edgeworth, Pennsylvania zoning board. He serves on the board of directors of the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania.[1][5]

U.S. House of Representatives

Rothfus' first Congressional portrait

Elections

2010
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2010 § District 4

Rothfus decided to run for Congress in Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district. In the Republican primary, he defeated U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan 65%–35%.[6] Rothfus challenged Democrat U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire, losing 51%–49%.[7][8]

2012
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2012 § District 12

After redistricting, most of the 4th District was merged with the Johnstown-based Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district. Rothfus won the Republican primary unopposed. In the general election, he faced incumbent Democrat Mark Critz, who had defeated incumbent Jason Altmire in the Democratic primary. Rothfus led Critz in fundraising for the second half of 2012. It was a highly competitive election, with outside groups spending nearly $10 million.[9]

Rothfus defeated Critz 52%–48%.[8][10][11] He took office when the 113th Congress convened on January 3, 2013.

2014
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2014 § District 12

Rothfus sought a second term in the U.S. House in 2014. He was re-nominated in the May 20 Republican primary and faced Democratic nominee Erin McClelland in the general election. He defeated McClelland 59%–41%, winning a second term.[12]

2016
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2016 § District 12

Rothfus sought a third term in the U.S. House in 2016. He again faced Democratic candidate Erin McClelland in the general election. He defeated McClelland 62%–38%, winning a third term.[13]

2018
Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2018 § District 17

For his first three terms, Rothfus represented a district stretching from the northwestern suburbs of Pittsburgh to Johnstown. After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out the old congressional map as unconstitutional and replaced it with a map of its own, Rotfhus' district was renumbered as the 17th District and reconfigured as a more compact district in the northern and western suburbs of Pittsburgh. Democrat Conor Lamb, who won a special election for the neighboring 18th District, had his home drawn into the new 17th and filed to run for a full term there on March 20.[14] On paper, the new 17th is far less Republican than its predecessor; President Trump carried the old 12th by 20 points, but would have carried the new 17th by just 2.5 points.[15]

Committee assignments

Political positions

Rothfus is a conservative and member of the Republican Study Committee.[16]

Human trafficking

Along with Congressman Juan Vargas (D-CA), Rothfus introduced the "Fight Illicit Networks and Detect Trafficking Act" (or the FIND Trafficking Act), H.R. 6069. On July 17, 2018, the House passed the S.488, the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018, which contained the text of the FIND Trafficking Act. The FIND Trafficking Act directs the Comptroller of the Currency to study how virtual currencies can facilitate human trafficking.[17]

Finance

On July 20, 2017, Rothfus introduced H.J.Res.111, which nullifies a rule submitted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.[18]

Gay rights

In 2015, he signed onto a resolution which would amend the U.S. Constitution so that only marriages between men and women are legal.[19] Rothfus has a 0 rating from the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights advocacy group.[20]

Healthcare

In early 2017, efforts were made to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Approximately 130 of Rothfus's constituents requested a town hall to discuss their concerns about removed/reduced health coverage. Frustrated citizens sponsored and invited Rothfus to a town hall; he declined.[21] Some of Rothfus's constituents reportedly started a PAC to motivate him to meet with them.[22] On June 3, activists and constituents purportedly frustrated with Rothfus's refusal to host a town hall interrupted a Chamber of Commerce meeting that Rothfus was attending.[23]

Insurance regulation

On September 12, 2018, a bill that Rothfus had introduced, the State Insurance Regulation Preservation Act (H.R. 5059), passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would tailor the supervision of the Federal Reserve over holding companies that own thrifts (savings and loans banks). The bill streamlines regulator's approach to insurance savings and loan holding companies (ISLHCs) by enacting several reforms.[24]

Natural disasters

In 2013, Rothfus voted against a bill to provide disaster relief funding to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Referring to the bill's funding offsets for the National Flood Insurance Program, he said it was "irresponsible to raise an insolvent program's debt ceiling without making reforms."[25]

Refugees

In January 2017, Rothfus issued a statement in support of President Trump's executive order on refugees.[26]

In May 2017, Rothfus voted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act,[27][28][29] including provisions to defund Planned Parenthood.[30] The bill included an exemption for Congress that was later removed,[31] and the MacArthur amendment, which allowed states to opt out of covering preexisting conditions.[32]

Rothfus is supported by America First Policies, a PAC that runs pro-Rothfus ads.[33]

Personal life

Rothfus resides with his wife, Elsie, and their six children in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.[1] He is a survivor of appendix cancer.

He and his family attend St. James Roman Catholic Church in Sewickley.[34]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Keith James Rothfus". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on January 10, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Cernetich, Kelly. "Critz Concedes Race to Rothfus". PoliticsPA. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  3. ^ "Rothfus wins seat in Pa.'s redrawn 12th Congressional District". WPXI. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  4. ^ "Keith Rothfus". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  5. ^ "The Keith You Know". keithrothfus.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "PA – District 04 – R Primary Race". Our Campaigns. May 18, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  7. ^ "PA – District 04 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Schmitz, Jon and McNulty, Timothy (November 7, 2012). "Rothfus upsets Critz in bitter battle for U.S. House". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 8, 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "New Jersey Herald – GOP's Rothfus beats incumbent Critz in W. Pa. race". Njherald.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  10. ^ "Commonwealth of PA – Elections Information". Electionreturns.state.pa.us. November 6, 2012. Archived from the original on November 16, 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates". Politico.com. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
  12. ^ "2014 Pennsylvania House Election Results". Politico. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  13. ^ "Pennsylvania 2016 General Election – November 8, 2016 Official Results". Pennsylvania Secretary of State. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  14. ^ Eliza Collins (March 20, 2018). "Conor Lamb won Pennsylvania's 18th district. Tuesday he filed in the state's 17th District". USA Today.
  15. ^ Prose, J.D. (March 14, 2018). "U.S. Rep.-elect Conor Lamb in primary race to challenge Rep. Keith Rothfus". The Times. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  16. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  17. ^ "Rothfus Supports Economic Growth Package that Includes his Bipartisan Anti-Drug and Human Trafficking Bill". Congressman Keith Rothfus. July 17, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  18. ^ https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-joint-resolution/111
  19. ^ Marcos, Cristina (February 19, 2015). "GOP resolution proposes gay marriage ban". The Hill. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  20. ^ Andrew Breiner. "Republicans Who Didn't Say 'LGBT' in Their Orlando Statements". Roll Call. Roll Call. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  21. ^ Ryan Deto (February 22, 2017). "U.S. Congressman Keith Rothfus dodges 130 constituents in first week back in district". Pittsburgh City Paper. Pittsburgh City Paper.
  22. ^ "'Yinzers Against Jagoffs' PAC forms demanding more accessibility from U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus". Pittsburgh City Paper. Ryan Deto. March 20, 2017.
  23. ^ Emily Balser. "Protesters interrupt Rothfus meeting". TribLive. Trib Total Media. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  24. ^ "House Passes Rothfus' Bipartisan Bill to Tailor the Supervision of Insurance-Focused Savings and Loan Holding Companies". Congressman Keith Rothfus. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  25. ^ Larissa Dudkiewicz. "Rothfus Votes Against Hurricane Sandy Relief". Patch. Patch. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "Rothfus statement on President Trump's executive order on refugees". WeAreCentralPa.com. Kevin Valentine. January 30, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  27. ^ "How Every Member Voted on the House Health Care Bill". New York Times. May 4, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  28. ^ "The American Health Care Act Makes Unsustainable Cuts to Medicaid". AARP. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  29. ^ "This is what Americans will really dislike about the House 'Trumpcare' bill". CNN. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  30. ^ Sandhya Somashekhar, Paige W. Cunningham. "Congressional health-care bill 'defunds' Planned Parenthood". Washington Post. Washington Post. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  31. ^ Linda Qiu. "Fact Check: Is Congress Exempt From the G.O.P. Health Bill?". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  32. ^ "The GOP's big lie: Healthcare bill 'protects people with preexisting conditions'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  33. ^ "The Daily 202: What does Trump have to hide? Secretive White House unapologetic about clawing back transparency". The Washington Post. April 17, 2017.
  34. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Keith Rothfus". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Keith Rothfus.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority
289th 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Keith_Rothfus&oldid=863203591"