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Tim Walberg

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Tim Walberg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 7th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2007
Preceded byJoe Schwarz
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSusan Walberg
ResidenceTipton, Michigan
Alma materFort Wayne Bible College, Wheaton College
Occupationminister, college administrator

Timothy "Tim" Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is the current Republican Congressman for Michigan's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. The District includes Branch County, Eaton County, Hillsdale County, Jackson County, MI and Lenawee County and parts of Calhoun County, MI and Washtenaw County. [1] He defeated moderate incumbent Representative Joe Schwarz in the August 2006 Republican primary, campaigning on a platform of support for President Bush's "War on Terror" and opposition to the common practice of Congressional pork barrel spending. Walberg is known as both a social and economic conservative, and has opposed some policies of the Bush administration, including on immigration reform, No Child Left Behind, and funding water projects. Walberg was a congressional candidate in Michigan's 7th congressional district in 2004 in which he placed third behind Schwarz and attorney Brad Smith, receiving 18% of the vote.[2]

Early History

Walberg was born and educated in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduating high school, he became a member of the U.S. Forest Service. Walberg soon left this work and entered Fort Wayne Bible College, now Taylor University, where he was trained as a minister. He also obtained a M.A. from Wheaton College. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. Since 1999, his seat has been held by former State Rep. Doug Spade and currently by State Rep. Dudley Spade, both Democrats. Walberg also spent time as a pastor and as a division manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois while continuing to live in Michigan.[3]

2006 elections

During the 2006 primary, Walberg received financial support from various pro-life groups and the Club for Growth. His campaign criticized Schwarz for his positions on abortion, taxes, government / pork-barrel spending, and national security.[4] Additionally, Walberg campaigned for cutting taxes, against providing amnesty to illegal immigrants, against gay marriage, and against pork-barrel spending.[5][6] Walberg defeated Schwarz in the primary by 6%.

In October 2006, the Walberg campaign faced scandal when the campaign's volunteer coordinator plead guilty to child abuse charges.[7] The allegations first appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot.[8] According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, "Walberg said he knew of the alleged abuse 'on or about Sept. 12'."[9] The staffer plead guilty to the charges on September 18 and left the campaign only after the charges became public in October. Walberg frequently stated the matter was "private" and he hoped the best for the family involved.

On November 7, 2006, Walberg defeated Democrat Sharon Renier, the 2004 Democratic nominee. Walberg received 49.93% to Renier's 45.98%[10]. The Renier campaign spent $46,000[11] to Walberg's $1.2 million[12].

Committee Assignments

  • Agriculture Committee
    • Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
    • Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
  • Education and Labor Committee
    • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
    • Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness

Controversy

In March of 2007, Walberg was a guest on the Jack Ebling show on WILS-AM. During the broadcast he shared stories from soldiers who said that 80–85% of Iraq are as stable as Detroit or Harvey, IL. The Michigan Democratic Party released statements attacking Walberg with Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg's offices have both released statements requesting an apology from Walberg. "Unfortunately, for years people have beat up on the city of Detroit. Detroit is the word for negative. We are working very hard to transform that image of our city." said James Canning, spokesman for the Detroit office of the Mayor. Mayor Kellogg was also deeply disappointed in the comments, stating that: "Even though our country appears to have accomplish(ed) great gains in racial harmony, we still have members of congress who suffer from the highest levels of ignorance and stupidity."[13]

Walberg received criticism from the Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer[14] following statements suggesting support for oil and natural gas drilling in the Great Lakes. At a local meeting Walberg suggested that slant or directional drilling may be a safe method of removing oil with little environmental impact. Walberg later stated he and his constituents are frustrated with high gas prices and are always looking for domestic and safe alternatives to foreign oil.[15] At another constituent meeting, Walberg noted that drilling in the Great Lakes is currently prohibited by Michigan and federal law, and would not comment on whether he would support changing those laws.[16]

On August 6, 2007, the Lenawee County Elections Commission approved the wording for Jackson resident James Carr's recall petition. [17] While Michigan laws and constitution allow for recall elections, an attorney for Walberg says there is no provision in the U.S. constitution for recalling a United States Congressperson and challenged the action in court. On August 28, 2007, Lenawee County Circuit Court Judge Harvey Koselka issued an injunction that prohibited filing signed petitions with the state until a ruling is made on the constitutionality of recalling a member of Congress. [18] [19] Carr has since ended his campaign. [20]

Family

Tim and his wife Sue live in Tipton, Michigan (near Tecumseh), where they raised their three children, now adults, Matthew, Heidi and Caleb. Walberg's son Matthew works as a crime reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

2008 election

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen has named Walberg as one of the top targets in the House for the upcoming 2008 elections.[21]

An indication that fellow Republicans believe Walberg may be potentially vulnerable came with the controversy over politicizing the General Services Administration. In a slide show created by the White House Political Office, Walberg was one of 36 Republican incumbents listed, appearing under the "Secondary Defense" column.[22]

On August 23 2007, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer announced he would be challenging Walberg in the 2008 election.[23] Schauer is the fourth Democrat to enter the race, along with 2004 and 2006 nominee Sharon Renier[24], attorney David Nacht[25], and former Adrian mayor and former state Senator Jim Berryman[26].

Former Congressman Joe Schwarz has declined to run.

Regarding his fundraising for the 2008 congressional race, Walberg said: "Our goal is to make a real strong showing in the first quarter, so people like Joe Schwarz back off."[27] Walberg raised a total of $135,980 in the first quarter of 2007, two-thirds from political action committees and one-third from individual contributors, according to information filed with the Federal Election Commission.[28]

Vice-President Dick Cheney appeared in Marshall, Michigan at an invitation only fund raiser for Walberg on March 7.[29][30]

Electoral history

2004 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District Republican Primary

  • Joe Schwarz (R), 28%
  • Brad Smith (R), 22%
  • Tim Walberg (R), 18%
  • Clark Bisbee (R), 14%
  • Gene DeRossett (R), 11%
  • Paul DeWeese (R), 7%

2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District Republican Primary

  • Tim Walberg (R), 33,144, 53%
  • Joe Schwarz (R) (inc.), 29,349, 47%

2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives — 7th District

  • Tim Walberg (R), 49.93%
  • Sharon Renier (D), 45.98%
  • Robert Hutchinson (L), 1.55%
  • David Horn (UST), 1.47%
  • Joe Schwarz (write-in), 1.07%

References

  1. ^ Representative Tim Walberg
  2. ^ http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/03/mi_7_schwarz_pressured_from_th.html
  3. ^ Hillsdale.net
  4. ^ The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org
  5. ^ The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org
  6. ^ The Club For Growth - http://www.clubforgrowth.org
  7. ^ WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Our Apologies
  8. ^ Demas, Susan J. (October 25, 2006). "Staffer guilty of crime stays on" (PDF). Jackson Citizen Patriot. MLive.com (archived at Michigan Department of Human Services News Clips. Retrieved 2007-03-31. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help) Demas, Susan J. (October 25, 2006). "Walberg campaign aide resigns". Jackson Citizen Patriot. MLive.com. Retrieved 2007-03-31.
  9. ^ Demas, Susan J. (October 27, 2006). "DeVos: Aide's resignation 'proper'" (PDF). Jackson Citizen Patriot. MLive.com (archived at Michigan Department of Human Services News Clips. Retrieved 2007-03-31. {{cite news}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ 2006 Official Michigan General Election Results - 7th District Representative in Congress 2 Year Term (1) Position
  11. ^ FEC Disclosure Form 3 for Sharon Renier for Congress
  12. ^ FEC Candidate Summary Reports - Candidate ID H4MI07103
  13. ^ Lansing State Journal: The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (A3,20070322,NEWS01,70322004,AR)
  14. ^ Press Release
  15. ^ Idea of Great Lakes oil drilling sparks debate WZZM 13 May 30, 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2007
  16. ^ The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (A5,20070605,NEWS01,706050316,AR). | Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich
  17. ^ Recall campaign launched against Walberg Retrieved August 8, 2007
  18. ^ Associated Press (2007-08-29). "Judge rules against Walberg recall effort". The Ann Arbor News. Retrieved 2007-08-30. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Pelham, Dennis (2007-08-29). "Walberg recall over". The Daily Telegraph (Lenawee). Retrieved 2007-08-30. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Misusing the recall process again The Daily Telegram. September 10, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2007
  21. ^ Hotline On Call: Van Hollen's Top '08 Targets
  22. ^ http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070328111824-19475.pdf
  23. ^ "Senate minority leader to challenge Walberg". Lansing State Journal. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-08-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  24. ^ Swing State Project:: Weekly Open Thread: What Races Are You Interested In?
  25. ^ Detnews.com | This article is no longer available online
  26. ^ Walberg Watch: Jim Berryman Is In
  27. ^ The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (A5,20070325,NEWS01,703250325,AR). | Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich
  28. ^ The article requested can not be found! Please refresh your browser or go back. (A5,20070416,NEWS01,304160017,AR). | Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich
  29. ^ Cheney to stump for Walberg in Marshall | Battle Creek Enquirer - www.battlecreekenquirer.com - Battle Creek, Mich
  30. ^ Cheney is coming; so is the criticism | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

External links

Political offices
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 7th congressional district
2007-01-03–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tim_Walberg&oldid=226277848"