Jim Matheson
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| Jim Matheson | |
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| In office 2001 - present |
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| Preceded by | Merrill Cook |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | March 21, 1960 (age 47) Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Amy Matheson |
| Religion | Mormon |
James David "Jim" Matheson (born March 21, 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the second district of Utah since 2001 (map). Matheson, a Democrat, represents a district in which President George W. Bush won 67% of the vote in 2004.
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[edit] Early life and career
Matheson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and obtained his B.A. from Harvard University and his M.B.A from the University of California, Los Angeles.[1] He is a rarity in Utah politics as he is an elected member of the United States Democratic Party. However, he is more conservative than the majority of Democrats.[2] His father, Scott M. Matheson, served as Governor of Utah from 1977 to 1985,[3] and his brother, Scott Matheson Jr., was the 2004 Democratic nominee for Governor.[4] Matheson is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[5]
[edit] Political positioning
Matheson is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition,[6] a fiscally conservative group of about three dozen Democrats in the House. Among other significant votes, Matheson voted against raising the federal debt limit; as well as against both Republican and Democratic budgets that do not reduce the deficit. Matheson, a former energy industry businessman, voted against authorizing the construction of new oil refineries. In March, 2007, Matheson was one of 14 Democrats who voted against a bill that would require President George W. Bush to bring combat troops home from Iraq by September 1, 2008.
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | U.S. House | General | Jim Matheson | Democratic | 145,021 | 56% | Derek W. Smith | Republican | 107,114 | 41% | ||
| 2002 | U.S. House | General | Jim Matheson | Democratic | 110,764 | 49% | John Swallow | Republican | 109,123 | 49% | ||
| 2004 | U.S. House | General | Jim Matheson | Democratic | 187,250 | 55% | John Swallow | Republican | 147,778 | 43% | ||
| 2006 | U.S. House | General | Jim Matheson | Democratic | 133,231 | 59% | LaVar Christensen | Republican | 84,234 | 37% |
[edit] Opposition to nuclear testing
Matheson believes that all Utahns live with the consequences of the nuclear weapons testing. His own father died from multiple myeloma, a rare form of cancer believed to have been caused by his exposure to radioactive fallout from explosions at the Nevada Test Site. He has introduced legislation that sets up roadblocks to future weapons testing, including staunch opposition to the proposed Divine Strake tests. In addition, he has actively opposed the transportation and storage of nuclear waste in Utah.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Congressman Jim Matheson -Biography. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Matheson far enough to the right for Utahns", Deseret Morning News, 2006-08-31. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
- ^ John McCormick. Scott M. Matheson. Utah History Encyclopedia. University of Utah Press. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Only a few Democrats were able to survive Utah's GOP 'sweep'", Deseret Morning News, 2004-11-04. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
- ^ Jerry Spangler. "Mormon Democrats link up in Congress", Deseret Morning News, 2005-01-31. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Frugal Matheson walks to own beat", Deseret Morning News, 2006-10-29. Retrieved on November 9, 2006.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson official House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Federal Election Commission - Jim Matheson campaign finance reports and data
- On the Issues - Jim Matheson issue positions and quotes
- OpenSecrets.org - Jim Matheson campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart - Representative Jim Matheson (UT) profile
- SourceWatch Congresspedia - Jim Matheson profile
- Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Jim Matheson voting record
- Jim Matheson for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Questionnaire responses from Jim Matheson Deseret Morning News, October 15, 2006
- Respond to Congress issuing a pay raise House.gov, June 13 , 2006
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Merrill Cook |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd congressional district 2001–Present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Utah's current delegation to the United States Congress |
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| Senators: Orrin Hatch (R), Robert Bennett (R)
Representative(s): Rob Bishop (R), Jim Matheson (D), Chris Cannon (R) All delegations: Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming — American Samoa • District of Columbia • Guam • Puerto Rico • U.S. Virgin Islands |
Categories: 1960 births | Current members of the United States House of Representatives | Members of the United States House of Representatives from Utah | Living people | Latter Day Saint politicians | People from Salt Lake City | Harvard University alumni | University of California, Los Angeles alumni
