Tim Walberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tim Walberg | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2007– |
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| Preceded by | Joe Schwarz |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | April 12, 1951 (age 55) Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Susan Walberg |
| Religion | Non-Denominational Protestant |
Timothy "Tim" Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is the current Republican Congressman for Michigan's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives (map). The 7th District includes Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties and parts of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties. [1] He defeated moderate incumbent Representative Joe Schwarz in the August 2006 Republican primary, campaigning as a "common sense conservative." Walberg is known as both a social and economic conservative and was a congressional candidate in Michigan's 7th congressional district in 2004 in which he placed third, receiving 18% of the vote. [2]
Walberg was born and educated in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduating high school, he became a member of the U.S. Forest Service. Walberg soon left this work and entered Fort Wayne Bible College, now Taylor University, where he was trained as a minister. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1999. Since 1999, his seat has been held by former State Rep. Doug Spade and currently by State Rep. Dudley Spade, both Democrats. Walberg also spent time as a pastor and as a division manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, returning to Michigan after his retirement in January 2006. [3]
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[edit] 2006 elections
During the 2006 primary, Walberg received financial support from various pro-life groups and the Club for Growth. His campaign criticized Schwarz for his positions on abortion, taxes, and border security. [4] Additionally, Walberg campaigned against pork-barrel spending, same-sex marriage, decreasing tax relief, allowing amnesty for illegal aliens, and earmarks placed on appropriations bills. [5] [6] Walberg defeated Schwarz in the primary by 6%.
In October 2006, the Walberg campaign faced scandal when one of the campaign's employees pleaded guilty to child abuse charges. The allegations first appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot. [7] The allegations included severe injuries to a young childs face and body. The staffer was sentenced to probation. Walberg later said he would not discuss hiring decisions with the media.
On November 7, 2006, Walberg defeated Democrat Sharon Renier, the 2004 Democratic nominee. Walberg received 49.93% to Reniers 45.98% [8]. The Renier campaign spent $46,000 [9] to Walberg's $1.2 million [10].
[edit] Congressional bio
Just prior to Walberg being sworn in to office, allegations surfaced regarding a violation of the rules of the House. The complaint, filed with the House ethics committee and House clerk's office, states that Walberg in fact violated House rules and federal law by sending private reception invitations that included what is designated as the seal of the House of Representatives. A seal that represents itself as an official congressional seal is supposed to be used only for official government business, which doesn't include swearing-in receptions, said George Shevlin, staff director of the House Administration Committee, which handles regulations that govern the House. Walberg said his legal counsel determined the complaint has no merit. [11]
In March of 2007, Walberg was a guest on the Jack Ebling show on WILS-AM. During the broadcast he stated that parts of Detroit and Harvey, IL are more dangerous than Iraq. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg's offices have both released statements requesting an apology from Walberg. "Unfortunately, for years people have beat up on the city of Detroit. Detroit is the word for negative. We are working very hard to transform that image of our city." said James Canning, spokesman for the Detroit office of the Mayor. Mayor Kellogg was also deeply disapointed in the comments, stating that: "Even though our country appears to have accomplish(ed) great gains in racial harmony, we still have members of congress who suffer from the highest levels of ignorance and stupidity." [12]
In Congress, he has established himself as a conservative on social, military, and economic policies. He serves on the Education & Labor and Agriculture Committees, and also serves on the Republican Policy Committee. In Congress, he has established himself very early as one of the staunchest supporters of the social, military, and economic policies of President George W. Bush [13].
[edit] Family
Tim and his wife Sue live in Tipton, Michigan (near Tecumseh), where they raised their three children, now adults, Matthew, Heidi and Caleb.
[edit] 2008 election
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has named Walberg as one of the top targets in the House for the up-coming 2008 elections.
David Nacht, a lawyer from Scio Township, and Sharon Renier, Walberg's 2006 opponent, are the only Democrats who have announced interest in running for the seat. Nacht has been a practicing attorney in the Ann Arbor area for many years and is currently a member of the Scio Township Board, as well as a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Committee.
[edit] Electoral history
- 2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives - 7th District
- Tim Walberg (R), 49.93%
- Sharon Renier (D), 45.98%
- 2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives - 7th District Republican Primary
- Tim Walberg (R), 33,144, 53%
- Joe Schwarz (R) (inc.), 29,349, 47%
- 2004 election for the U.S. House of Representatives - 7th District Republican Primary
- Joe Schwarz (R), 28%
- Brad Smith (R), 22%
- Tim Walberg (R), 18%
- Clark Bisbee (R), 14%
- Gene DeRossett (R), 11%
- Paul DeWeese (R), 7%
[edit] References
- ^ http://walberg.house.gov/Biography/
- ^ http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/03/mi_7_schwarz_pressured_from_th.html
- ^ http://www.hillsdale.net/stories/042206//news_2006042200121.shtml
- ^ http://www.clubforgrowth.com/twalberg.php
- ^ http://www.clubforgrowth.com/2006/08/a_2for2_night.php
- ^ http://www.clubforgrowth.com/twalberg.php
- ^ http://www.mlive.com/news/jacitpat/index.ssf?/base/news-19/1161878713322500.xml&coll=3
- ^ http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/06GEN/06007000.html
- ^ http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/dcdev/forms/C00425462/272290/
- ^ http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/cancomsrs/?_06+H4MI07103
- ^ http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS01/701050331/1001/news
- ^ http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/NEWS01/70322004
- ^ http://www.walbergforcongress.com/issues/
[edit] External links
- Official House Website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Campaign website
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Joe Schwarz |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 7th congressional district 2007–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
