Dave Weldon
| Dave Weldon | |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Bacchus |
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| Succeeded by | Incumbent |
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| Born | August 31 1953 Amityville, New York |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Nancy Weldon |
| Religion | Non-denominational Protestant |
David Joseph Weldon, (known as Dave Weldon) (born August 31 1953, Amityville, New York) is an American politician and physician. He has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1995, representing Florida's 15th congressional district (map).
Personal
Weldon served in the United States Army from 1981 to 1987 and the United States Army Reserve from 1987 until 1992. In 1978,he received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the State University of New York, and in 1981 a medical degree from the State University of New York, Buffalo School of Medicine.
Weldon resides in Indialantic, Florida, with his wife, Nancy, and their two children, Katie and David.
In December, 2005, Weldon joined with several other Congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the Holiday season. Weldon plays the bass guitar.[1]
House committees
Weldon is a member of the following House committees and subcommittees:
- Committee on Appropriations
- Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Services Education and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Science State Justice and Commerce and Related Agencies
Terry Schiavo controversy
In response to the legal battle over the removal of the feeding tube of Terry Schiavo, Weldon introduced legislation to force review of the case by the federal government. Weldon, a medical doctor, believed that Schiavo was not in a vegetative state. He supported his belief saying, "She responds to verbal stimuli, she attempts to vocalize, she tracks with her eyes, she emotes, she attempts to kiss her father."[1]
Congressional elections
2006
Weldon faced Democrat Bob Bowman in the general 2006 election. Weldon raised significantly more campaign funds than Bowman: By the end of September, Weldon's total was $673,321 versus $21,944 for Bowman.[2] Weldon also refused to debate Bowman during the campaign.[3] In the November election, Weldon received 125,596 votes to Bowman's 97,947.[4]
2008
As of June 2007, the 15th Congressional District was one of five in Florida that Democrats hope to win from the Republicans in 2008. Paul Rancatore, a commercial airline pilot and lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, is one of two Democrats who will be competing for Weldon's seat.[5] The other candidate is Stephen Blythe, a Melbourne Family Physician, making this the first time in decades that two physicians will compete for the same congressional seat. [6]
Memberships
Weldon is a member of the following:
- Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- American College of Physicians, Fellow
- American Legion Post 163
- Brevard County Medical Society
- Florida Medical Association
- Phi Beta Kappa Society
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 453A
- Washington Legal Foundation national board of advisors
References
- ^ Aimie Parnes, link "Lawmaker races clock in attempt to save Schiavo", Naples News, March 12, 2005
- ^ Larry Wheeler, "GOP leading Space Coast race for cash: Weldon, Feeney report finances", Florida Today, October 18, 2006
- ^ Amber Smith, "Incumbent Touts His Achievements", The Ledger, October 31, 2006
- ^ John McCarthy, "Weldon coasts to an easy win", Florida Today, November 8, 2006
- ^ Brendan Farrington, "Florida will be a congressional battleground again in 2008", Herald Tribune, June 23, 2007
- ^ Stephen Blythe, "Stephen Blythe to enter race for congress", Press Release, July 27, 2007
External links
- U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon M.D. official House site
- Dave Weldon at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Federal Election Commission — Dave Weldon campaign finance reports and data
- OpenSecrets.org — Dave Weldon campaign contributions
- Biography, Voting record, and Interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
- On the Issues — Dave Weldon issue positions and quotes
- Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Dave Weldon voting record
- Dave Weldon for Congress official campaign site
- Weldon.house.gov — 'Special Order by U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D.' (autism epidemic address), Congressional Record (June 18, 2004)
- PBS.org — 'Online Focus: U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon' (interview re: stem cell research), Public Broadcasting Service (August 9, 2004)
- SafeMinds.org (pdf) — 'Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. Testimony Before the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee', Safe Minds (January 11, 2001)
| Preceded by Jim Bacchus |
Representative
of the 15th Congressional District of Florida 1995–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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