Robert Aderholt

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Robert Aderholdt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Tom Bevill
Born	July 22, 1965 (1965-07-22) (age 42) Haleyville, Alabama
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Caroline Aderholt
Religion	Formerly Congregationalist-Baptist, now United Methodist

Robert Brown Aderholt^[1] (born July 22, 1965) is an American politician and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Alabama's 4th congressional district (map).

[edit] Life and political career

Aderholt was born in Winston County to Mary Frances Brown and Bobby Ray Aderholt.^[2] Aderholt's father, a part-time minister for a small group of Congregational churches in northwest Alabama, was a circuit judge for more than 30 years, and his wife's father was a state commissioner and senator. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College where he graduated. Aderholt received his law degree from Samford University and practed law after graduation. In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge, and in 1995 become the top aide to Governor Fob James. With that experience, he won the Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill, who retired from Congress in 1996.

As the Republican nominee, Aderholt faced a considerable challenge against State Senator Bob Wilson Jr., who called himself a Democrat "in the Tom Bevill tradition". In a culturally conservative district, Aderholt didn't hedge on cultural issues. This was a seriously contested district, receiving a deal of national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won narrowly, 50%-48%, and hasn't faced serious opposition since.

Aderhold also endorsed a candidate for circuit judgeship in Blout County, Steven King. Though the move was controversial, King won the judgeship. Aderholt was subsequently criticized by many for endorsing someone that was not from his own district.

Aderholt is married to the former Caroline McDonald. They have two children. The Aderholts live in Arlington, Virginia.

[edit] House record

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[edit] Constituent Services

Aderholt's voting record is generally conservative, however his vote on economic issues has been generally based on the concerns of his district rather than an overarching ideology. He has been notable in his support of quotas on steel imports and sponsored a bill assessing additional antidumping duties on foreign steel in 1999. He reached out further to industrial unions with his vote against PNTR with China. Aderholt's most notable success has been the continued protection of the sock industry, based out of Fort Payne, Alabama. He voted against the free trade agreements with Chile, Morocco, and Singapore, but supported the US-Australia FTA. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Aderholt has secured a significant amount of highway and sewer funding for the 4th District.

Aderholt has somewhat successfully converted this ancestrally Democratic seat into a Republican bastion of the south.

[edit] Controversy

Aderholt was criticized for selling out one of his district's most important industries. He voted in favor of CAFTA, which did tremendous damage to manufacturing industry within the district. Aderholt stated that he relied on promises by the Bush White House that were not kept. Adding to the controversy was the fact that Vice President Dick Cheney personally appeared at a high dollar fund raiser for Aderholt that some called a quid pro quo for the CAFTA vote, since Cheney personally lobbied Aderholt to vote in favor of CAFTA.

Aderholt is a staunch supporter and confidant of "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore. Moore joined Aderholt when Aderholt introduced controversial legislation which would remove issues regarding the First Amendment to the Constitution from the reach of the Federal Courts. Most Constitutional experts considered the proposed legislation as purely political as it would be likely be struck down as unconstitutional if it was ever actually passed by the House and Senate.

[edit] Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act

Aderholt does not support the conservative views of the late-President Ronald Reagan who stated:

Only a few years ago, the General Services Administration was racked by indictments and report after report of inefficiency and waste. Today at GSA, Jerry Carmen has not only put the whistleblowers back in charge, he’s promoted them and given them new responsibilities. Just listen to this little set of figures. Today, General Services Administration work-in-progress time is down from 30 days to 7, even while the agency has sustained budget cuts of 20 percent, office space reductions of 20 percent, and the attrition of 7,000 employees. President Ronald Reagan Conservative Political Action Conference Washington, DC February 18, 1983.

Aderholt voted against the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act H.R. 985 Congressional Record 2007

[edit] Committees and subcommittees

• House Committee on Appropriations (21st of 37)
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, Housing & Urban Development and Related Agencies

[edit] Electoral history

2006 General Election

2004 General Election

2002 General Election

Previous Elections

• General Election 2000: Robert Aderholt (R) — 61%
• General Election 1998: Robert Aderholt (R) — 56%
• General Election 1996: Robert Aderholt (R) — 50%

[edit] Group ratings (2004)

• National Journal
  • Economic: 27% Liberal, 72% Conservative
  • Social: 0% Liberal, 91% Conservative
  • Foreign: 4% Liberal, 93% Conservative
• Americans for Democratic Action: 0
• American Civil Liberties Union: 0
• Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 100
• Christian Coalition: 100
• American Conservative Union: 92
• National Taxpayers Union: 49
• League of Conservation Voters: 9

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• U.S. Congressman Robert B. Aderholt official House site

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Profile at SourceWatch Congresspedia