John Salazar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John Salazar | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2005– |
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| Preceded by | Scott McInnis |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | July 21, 1953 (age 53) Alamosa, Colorado |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Lou Salazar |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
John T. Salazar (born July 21, 1953) is a Democrat from Colorado, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004, representing Colorado's 3rd congressional district (map). He was born in Alamosa, Colorado, but calls Manassa, Colorado his home. He is married to Mary Lou Salazar and has three children: Estevan, Miguel and Jesus. His brother, Ken Salazar, was also elected in 2004 to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate.
Salazar served in the U.S. Army from 1973-1976, and is a farmer and rancher, raising cattle, potatoes, wheat, barley, and hay. He also served on the Colorado Agricultural Commission from 1999-2002 and in the Colorado House of Representatives. from 2003 until 2004.
Salazar, who grew up on his parents' farm and ranch, is concerned with conservation, particularly when it comes to water rights. He has said his top priority on Capitol Hill will be ensuring that water derived from the snow melt of Colorado's Western Slope will stay in his district instead of being sent to California or Nevada. Though a Democrat, he has conservative leanings -- he opposes expanding gun control and supports permanent repeal of the inheritance tax. He also supports allowing Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.
As a veteran, a son of a veteran, and father of a child serving in the Colorado National Guard as of 2004, Salazar has also been vocal against cuts to veterans' benefits and has criticized the Bush administration's proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
[edit] 2006 Reelection Campaign
Salazar won an open-seat in 2004 against Greg Walcher. He handily won his reelection bid against Republican Scott Tipton from Cortez, Colorado. The 3rd District includes more conservative strongholds in the rural valley regions of southern and western Colorado including Grand Junction and some more liberal strongholds such as Pueblo and some pockets in the mountains, such as Durango, CO. The district is described as politically balanced and was a closely watched race in 2006. Salazar won with 61% of the vote.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Congressman John Salazar official House site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Federal Election Commission - John T. Salazar campaign finance reports and data
- On the Issues - John Salazar issue positions and quotes
- OpenSecrets.org - John Salazar campaign contributions
- Project Vote Smart - Representative John T. Salazar (CO) profile
- SourceWatch Congresspedia - John Salazar profile
- Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: John Salazar voting record
- John Salazar for Congress 2008 official campaign site
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Scott McInnis |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd congressional district 2005–Present |
Incumbent |
| Colorado's current delegation to the United States Congress |
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| Senators: Wayne Allard (R), Ken Salazar (D)
Representative(s): Diana DeGette (D), Mark Udall (D), John Salazar (D), Marilyn Musgrave (R), Doug Lamborn (R), Tom Tancredo (R), Ed Perlmutter (D) 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 |
