Chip Cravaack

Last updated

Cravaack was inspired to run for Congress by a suggestion from a talk radio show host that voters demand town hall meetings with their congressmen during the health care bill Tea Party movement protests of August 2009. [7] Cravaack went with 25 people to one of Oberstar's Minnesota offices asking for a meeting that day and when Oberstar did not come, Cravaack decided to challenge him in the November 2010 election. [11] [7]

Cravaack entered the race as a political novice and an underdog. [10] The 8th had been in Democratic hands since 1947, and Oberstar was the longest-serving congressman in Minnesota's history, usually cruising to reelection. [7] [10] Geography also seemed to be against Cravaack; his home in Lindstrom was in Chisago County, in the southern portion of the district. His campaign manager was future Minnesota House of Representatives member Anne Neu. [16]

According to the Star Tribune , Cravaack's campaign was "structured like a military operation". [7] He toured the district in a motor home dubbed "The War Wagon," and gave volunteers ranks such as commander, captain, and precinct lieutenant. [10] He discovered that his experience as a union steward attracted the interest of district voters, especially the miners. [10]

Cravaack campaigned on a platform of free-market principles and government spending cuts. [7] He attacked Oberstar's vote on the health care bill, saying he would vote to repeal and replace it, and called an Oberstar-approved extension of the Clean Water Act to include wet meadows a "land grab" by the federal government. [10] [17] Cravaack also criticized the earmark process that Oberstar had used to fund infrastructure projects in the district, saying it was time for the spending to stop, [11] [10] and attacked Oberstar's vote on "cap and trade" legislation to limit carbon emissions, saying it would result in higher energy prices. [10] In his first ad, Cravaack paid homage to Oberstar's service, saying that he ran against Oberstar "with all due respect" but accusing him of having lost touch with the district. [18]

The crowd jeered Oberstar at a candidate debate held in Duluth, and he called for a more civil atmosphere at the next debate. [17] The second debate centered on economic issues. [17] Cravaack argued that the 2003 Bush tax cuts should be continued in all tax brackets to stimulate employment, and Oberstar said he would end the tax cut for the top two percent of earners because the lowered tax had caused part of the deficit. [17]

A poll conducted for KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities in October showed Oberstar ahead of Cravaack by only one point, 47% to 46%. [19] Cravaack received the endorsement of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich as the polls tightened. [10] He was also endorsed by Minnesota's largest anti-abortion organization, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, and the largest newspaper in the district, the Duluth News Tribune . [11] In the November 2 election, Cravaack scored one of the biggest upsets in Minnesota political history, [20] defeating Oberstar by a vote of 133,490 (48%) to 129,091 (47%). [21] He believed the abortion issue was crucial to his victory; he had argued that Obamacare allowed for the payment of abortions with taxpayer funds and encouraged euthanasia for the elderly. [7] By the time of the election, Cravaack characterized the bill as an example of socialized medicine that would result in the rationing of medical care. [7]

2012

In the 2012 election, Cravaack was endorsed by the Mesabi Daily News in Virginia and the Duluth News Tribune . [22] On November 6, he was unseeded by former Democratic congressman Rick Nolan, by a vote of 191,976 (54%) to 160,520 (45%)

Tenure

Following his election in November 2010, Cravaack backed fellow Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann for the number four GOP leadership position of House Republican Conference chair. [23]

In March 2011, Cravaack came under criticism by Duluth students and community leaders for voting for a budget bill that made cuts to the federal Pell Grant program that provides financial aid to college students, including 30 percent of the students at the University of Minnesota Duluth. [24] He also received attention for implying during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing that Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was furthering the goals of a terrorist organization. [25]

In March 2012, Cravaack introduced a bill in Congress that would have allowed mining and logging in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Superior National Forest through a land exchange that would rely on the state environmental review process and bypass federal environmental reviews, with proceeds going to the school districts. [26] [27]

He also sponsored a bill, which became law, that required the TSA to treat military personnel with respect while traveling on orders or in uniform. "The bill's intent, he said, is that the military personnel would be able to go through security with the same ease as registered flyers." [28]

Cravaack opposed sequestration and voted against the Budget Control Act, saying, "You cut with a scalpel, not a meat ax." [28]

Committee assignments

112th Congress [29]

Electoral history

Chip Cravaack
Chip Cravaack, Official Portrait, 112th Congress.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Minnesota's 8th district
In office
January 3, 2011 –January 3, 2013
2010 Eighth Congressional District of Minnesota Elections [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chip Cravaack 133,490 48.2%
Democratic (DFL) James Oberstar (incumbent)129,09146.6%
Independence Timothy Olson11,8764.3%
Constitution Richard (George) Burton2,4920.9%
Write-ins 132.01%
Total votes277,081 100.0
Turnout  70
Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)
2012 Eighth Congressional District of Minnesota Elections [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic (DFL) Rick Nolan 191,976 54.3%
Republican Chip Cravaack (incumbent)160,52045.4%
Write-ins 1,1670.3%
Total votes353,665 100.0
Turnout  
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican

Personal life

Cravaack had two sons with his wife, Traci. They divorced in 2011. [5] As of 2016, he taught social studies at Bishop Guertin High School, a Catholic College Preparatory School in Nashua, New Hampshire. [36]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Cravaack was born in 1959. [2] Multiple sources, including the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, list his birth date as December 29. [3] [4] However, at least one other source says he was born on January 29, [5] and several articles about his 2010 congressional campaign, all published before December 29, give his age as 51, which would support the earlier birthday. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rod Grams</span> American politician (1948–2013)

Rodney Dwight Grams was an American politician and television news anchor who served in both the United States House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. A local news anchor, Grams became well-known for working at Twin Cities station KMSP-TV from 1982 until 1991. He was a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Olav Sabo</span> American politician (1938–2016)

Martin Olav Sabo was an American politician who served as United States Representative for Minnesota's fifth district, which includes Minneapolis; the district is one of eight congressional districts in Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Kline (politician)</span> American politician (born 1947)

John Paul Kline Jr. is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2017. The district included most of the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. A member of the Republican Party, Kline served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce from 2011 until 2017. Kline retired from Congress at the end of his term in January 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collin Peterson</span> American accountant & politician (born 1944)

Collin Clark Peterson is an American accountant, politician, and lobbyist who served as the U.S. representative for Minnesota's 7th congressional district from 1991 to 2021. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he was chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture from 2019 to 2021 having previously held the office from 2007 to 2011; he had been ranking member from 2011 to 2019 and 2005 to 2007. Peterson was the most senior U.S. Representative from Minnesota and the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation. In 2020, Peterson was defeated by Michelle Fischbach, ending his 30-year tenure in the United States House of Representatives. In 2022, Peterson registered as a federal lobbyist after opening an eponymous consulting firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Oberstar</span> American politician (1934–2014)

James Louis Oberstar was an American politician and Congressman who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011. Hailing from Minnesota and a member of the state's local Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he represented the northeastern eighth congressional district, which included the cities of Duluth, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, International Falls, and Hibbing, and consisted in an area of Minnesota known as the Iron Range. He was chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee from 2007 until his departure, previously being the ranking minority member since 1995. In November 2010, he was defeated by a margin of 4,407 votes by Republican Chip Cravaack. He served the longest tenure of any Congressman from Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Carney</span> American politician (born 1959)

Christopher Paul Carney is an American politician who was the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Nolan</span> American politician (1943–2024)

Richard Michael Nolan was an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. representative from Minnesota's 8th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. He previously served as the U.S. representative from Minnesota's 6th congressional district between 1975 and 1981 and was also a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1969 until 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Tonko</span> American politician (born 1949)

Paul David Tonko is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 20th congressional district since 2013. He represented the 21st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has been called a staunch progressive. After the 2020 redistricting cycle and effective for the 118th Congress, the 20th district will include all of Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties as well as part of Rensselaer County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Schock</span> American politician (born 1981)

Aaron Jon Schock is a former American politician who was Republican U.S. Representative for Illinois's 18th congressional district from 2009 until 2015. The district is based in Peoria and includes part of Springfield. He was the first member of the U.S. Congress born in the 1980s as well as the first millennial member of Congress; when he took his seat in 2009 he was the youngest member of Congress, at age 27. Previously, Schock had served two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, also as its youngest member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Minnesota</span> Politics of the U.S. state of Minnesota

Minnesota is known for a politically active citizenry, with populism being a longstanding force among the state's political parties. Minnesota has consistently high voter turnout, ranking highest or near-highest in recent elections. This is due in part to its same-day voter registration laws; previously unregistered voters can register on election day with evidence of residency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota</span>

The 2008 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 4, 2008. All 8 congressional seats that make up the state's delegation were contested. Representatives were elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 111th United States Congress from January 4, 2009, until January 3, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erik Paulsen</span> American politician (born 1965)

Erik Philip Paulsen is an American businessman and politician who represented Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2009 and as majority leader from 2003 to 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bishop (politician)</span> American politician (born 1967)

Michael Dean Bishop is an American attorney and politician who was the U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, and the Michigan State Senate from 2003 to 2010 where he served as majority leader.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarryl Clark</span> American politician

Tarryl Lynn Clark is an American activist, attorney, politician and a former member of the Minnesota Senate. A Democrat, she represented District 15, including portions of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties, from 2006 to 2011. She was a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party nominee for United States Congress in 2010, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Republican Michele Bachmann.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Dold</span> American politician (born 1969)

Robert James Dold Jr. is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 10th congressional district from 2011 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2017. He is a member of the Republican Party. Prior to his election, Dold ran his family-owned business, Rose Pest Solutions. In 2010, Dold defeated Democratic Party nominee Dan Seals to replace Republican incumbent Mark Kirk in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dold was narrowly defeated by Democrat Brad Schneider in 2012, but regained the seat in 2014, defeating Schneider in a rematch. He was again defeated by Schneider in 2016 in a third contest between the two.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota</span>

The 2010 Minnesota U.S. House of Representatives elections took place on November 2, 2010. All eight congressional seats in the state's delegation were contested. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected served in the 112th United States Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Bucshon</span> American politician and physician (born 1962)

Larry Dean Bucshon is an American politician and physician who has been the U.S. representative for Indiana's 8th congressional district since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 14, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota</span>

The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Minnesota, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with an open gubernatorial election, a U.S. Senate election, a special U.S. Senate election, State House elections, and other elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Stauber</span> American hockey player and politician (born 1966)

Peter Allen Stauber is an American politician, former professional hockey player, and retired law enforcement officer from Minnesota serving as the United States representative for Minnesota's 8th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, Stauber has represented the district since 2019.

References

  1. ↑ "Representative Raymond John Cravaack (Chip) (R-Minnesota, 8th)". LegiStorm. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Why is he called Chip?". Duluth News Tribune . December 18, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Raymond "Chip" Cravaack". Official Congressional Directory : 112th Congress. Washington, D. C.: United States Government Printing Office. 2011. p. 146. ISBN   9780160886539. RAYMOND "CHIP" CRAVAACK, Republican, of Lindstrom, MN; born in Charleston, WV
  4. ↑ "Rep. Chip Cravaack". Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Willette, Janet Kubar (October 1, 2010). "Chip Cravaack is candidate for U.S. House seat in 8th District". Post-Bulletin . Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Myers, John (October 19, 2010). "Crowd gets raucous at Oberstar-Cravaack forum". Duluth News Tribune . Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Kevin Diaz and Eric Roper (November 13, 2010). "Chip Cravaack gets ready to report for duty". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Cravaack: From Political Unknown To Hot Commodity". WCCO-TV . CBS News. November 3, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  9. ↑ Kelleher, Bob (November 4, 2010). "Cravaack finds appeal in the 8th to unseat Oberstar". Minnesota Public Radio . Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Eric Roper (October 14, 2010). "Has 'The Dean' met his match?" . Star Tribune . p. A1, A7. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steve Karnowski (November 3, 2010). "Cravaack plays giant killer in Congressional race". Winona Daily News. The Associated Press. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  12. ↑ Friedrich, Alex; Kraker, Dan; Zdechlik, Mark (November 6, 2012). "Nolan defeats Cravaack in 8th District" . Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Chip Cravaack ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Chip Cravaack ('77)". Cincinnati, Ohio: St. Xavier High School. July 20, 2010. Archived from the original on June 26, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Congressman Chip Cravaack : About Me". Archived from the original on December 11, 2012.
  16. ↑ Thinker1962 (March 11, 2011), Ann Part One , retrieved December 3, 2018{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. 1 2 3 4 Bruce Bisping (October 23, 2010). "Jobs carry debate as Oberstar-Cravaack rematch stays civil". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 26, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  18. ↑ Cravaack's first ad on YouTube
  19. ↑ "Poll: Oberstar in Tight 8th District Race". Minneapolis and St. Paul: KSTP-TV. October 29, 2010. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  20. ↑ Albert Eisele (November 4, 2010). "Oberstar's stunning defeat makes history". The Minnesota Post. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  21. ↑ Renalls, Candace (November 3, 2010). "Cravaack defeats Oberstar in 8th District race". Duluth News Tribune. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
  22. ↑ Kimball, Joe (October 22, 2012). "Duluth Paper Again Endorses Cravaack in 8th District Congressional Race". MinnPost.
  23. ↑ Derek Wallbank (November 4, 2010). "Make that two: Cravaack will back Bachmann for leadership post". Minnesota Post. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  24. ↑ Bob Kelleher (March 3, 2011). "Cravaack under fire for vote to cut financial aid". Minnesota Public Radio News.
  25. ↑ Joe Kimball (March 11, 2011). "Cravaack tangles with L.A. sheriff at Muslim hearing". Minnesota Post. Archived from the original on March 14, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  26. ↑ "Scrutiny needed on BWCA swap: Boundary Waters land deal would mostly benefit industry". Star Tribune. July 16, 2012.
  27. ↑ Palcich, Elanne (March 8, 2012). "Exchanging school trust lands isn't 'for the sake of our children'". MinnPost.
  28. 1 2 O'Rourke, Mike (October 21, 2012). "Cravaack: Nation's Financial Problems Demand Action Now". Brainerd Dispatch. Brainerd, Minnesota. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Committees and caucuses". Congressman Chip Cravaack, Proudly Representing the 8th District of Minnesota. Archived from the original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  30. ↑ "Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence". The House Committee on Homeland Security. March 2, 2011. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Subcommittee on Transportation Security". The House Committee on Homeland Security. Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  32. ↑ "Mica Announces Subcommittee Chairmen & Memberships for the 112th Congress" (Press release). Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Republicans. January 20, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  33. ↑ "Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation". Committee on Science - U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on March 15, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Results from Congressional District 08". Minnesota Secretary of State. January 19, 2011. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Results from Congressional District 08". Minnesota Secretary of State. November 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Faculty & Staff Directory". www.bghs.org. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 8th congressional district
2011–2013		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.