Jim Matheson
| 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 Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Amy Matheson |
| Religion | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
James David "Jim" Matheson (born March 21 1960) is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Utah's 2nd congressional district since 2001 (map). Matheson, a Democrat, represents a district in which President George W. Bush won 67% of the vote in 2004.
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 an elected member of the Democratic Party. However, he is more conservative
than the majority of Democrats.[2] His father, Scott M. Matheson,
served as
Political positioning
Matheson is co-chairman of the Blue Dog Coalition,[6] a fiscally and socially conservative group of 44 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.
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% |
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.
Notes
- ^ Congressman Jim Matheson — Biography. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Matheson far enough to the right for Utahns", Deseret Morning News, 2006-08-31. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
- ^ John McCormick. Scott M. Matheson. Utah History Encyclopedia. University of Utah Press. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Only a few Democrats were able to survive Utah's GOP 'sweep'", Deseret Morning News, 2004-11-04. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
- ^ Jerry Spangler. "Mormon Democrats link up in Congress", Deseret Morning News, 2005-01-31. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
- ^ Bob Bernick Jr.. "Frugal Matheson walks to own beat", Deseret Morning News, 2006-10-29. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Jim Matheson official House site
- Jim Matheson 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 | ||
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| 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) |
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