Ben Chandler

Ben Chandler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  February 17, 2004
Preceded by	Ernie Fletcher
Succeeded by	Incumbent
Born	September 12 1959 (1959--) (age 48) Versailles, Kentucky
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jennifer Chandler
Religion	Presbyterian

Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III (born September 12 1959) is an American politician from Kentucky. He is the member of the House of Representatives for Kentucky's 6th congressional district and was first elected in 2004.

Chandler was born in Versailles, Kentucky. He received a BA and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky at Lexington, Ky., and became a private practice lawyer. He was State Auditor from 1991 to 1995 before he became the Attorney General of Kentucky from 1995 until 2003, and was the Democratic candidate for governor in the election of 2003. He was defeated in that election by his Republican opponent, Congressman Ernie Fletcher. Fletcher was forced to resign from Congress in order to become governor, and a special election was held for his seat in February 2004. Chandler became the Democratic candidate and won the election.

Chandler is a Blue Dog Democrat as well as a member of the House New Democrat Coalition. He is considered to be an up-and-coming leader in the Democratic Party, and his name had been rumored as a candidate for governor for the 2007 election and Senator in the 2008 election. Chandler, however, announced on November 30, 2006, that he would not seek the governorship in 2007, stating he could better serve the Commonwealth in Congress: "With rising seniority and a Democratic majority, I have the opportunity to do so much more for my constituents and for the people of Kentucky." [1]

Ben Chandler's grandfather Albert Chandler, better known as Happy Chandler, served as Governor of Kentucky, Commissioner of Baseball, and as a U.S. Senator.

External links

• U.S. Congressman Ben Chandler official House site
• Ben Chandler at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Federal Election Commission — A.B. Chandler III campaign finance reports and data
• On the Issues — Ben Chandler issue positions and quotes
• OpenSecrets.org — Ben Chandler campaign contributions
• Project Vote Smart — Representative Albert B. 'Ben' Chandler III (KY) profile
• Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Ben Chandler voting record

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