Tim Walberg | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan | |
Assumed office January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Mark Schauer |
Constituency | 7th district (2011–2023) 5th district (2023–present) |
In office January 3,2007 –January 3,2009 | |
Preceded by | Joe Schwarz |
Succeeded by | Mark Schauer |
Constituency | 7th district |
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
In office January 3,1983 –January 3,1999 | |
Preceded by | James E. Hadden |
Succeeded by | Doug Spade |
Constituency | 40th district (1983–1992) 57th district (1992–1999) |
Personal details | |
Born | Timothy Lee Walberg April 12,1951 Chicago,Illinois,U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Susan Walberg (m. 1974) |
Children | 3 |
Education | Moody Bible Institute Taylor University (BA) Wheaton College (MA) |
Occupation | Pastor (former) |
Signature | ![]() |
Website | House website |
Timothy Lee Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 5th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously represented the 7th district from 2007 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2023. As the longest tenured member from Michigan, Walberg is the current Dean of its delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives. [1]
Walberg was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Alice Ann and John A. Walberg. His paternal grandparents were Swedish. [2] In 1964, Walberg served the Barry Goldwater 1964 presidential campaign as a volunteer. Walberg graduated from Thornton Fractional North High School in 1969 and briefly served the U.S. Forest Service. From 1973 to 1977, Walberg served as pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in New Haven, Indiana. [3]
Walberg was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. He also spent time as a pastor and as a division manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago while continuing to live in Michigan. [4]
After six years out of politics, Walberg ran in a field of six candidates in the 2004 Republican primary for the 7th District after six-term incumbent Nick Smith retired. Walberg finished third in the primary. State Senator Joe Schwarz won the primary and the general election. [5]
Walberg defeated Schwarz in the Republican primary. [6] In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee Sharon Renier, 50%–46%. [7]
In 2007, there was a failed recall effort against Walberg. [8] [9] [10]
Entering the 2008 race, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen identified Walberg as one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in Congress. [11] On August 23, 2007, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer announced he would challenge Walberg. [12] The previous occupant of the seat, Joe Schwarz, who lost to Walberg in the 2006 Republican primary, declined to run but on September 30 endorsed Schauer. [13]
Schauer narrowly defeated Walberg in the November election, 49% to 47%. Between the two candidates, around $3.5 million was spent on the campaign, [14] making it one of the most expensive House races in the 2008 election. Schauer outspent Walberg by nearly $300,000. [15]
On July 14, 2009, Walberg announced that he would challenge incumbent Mark Schauer. [16] He defeated Marvin Carlson and Brian Rooney in the Republican primary.
Polling showed the race as a dead heat. [17] Walberg defeated Schauer, 50%–45%. [18]
Wahlberg defeated Democratic nominee Kurt Haskell, 53%–43%. [19]
Walberg defeated former Democratic State Representative Pam Byrnes with 54% of the vote. [20]
Walberg defeated Doug North in the August 2 Republican primary and Democratic nominee State Representative Gretchen Driskell [21] in the general election, with 55% of the vote. [22]
Walberg defeated Driskell again, with 53.8% of the vote. [23]
Walberg defeated Driskell a third time, with 58.7% of the vote.
Due to redistricting, Walberg, the incumbent of the 7th congressional district, faced Democratic opponent Bart Goldberg, an attorney, in the 5th congressional district. Walberg was re-elected with 62.4% of the vote. [24]
Walberg rejects the scientific consensus on climate change. [29] [30] [31] On the subject, he said in May 2017, "I believe that there is a creator in God who is much bigger than us. And I’m confident that, if there’s a real problem, He can take care of it." [29]
Walberg has repeatedly voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. [32] [33] Walberg shares an office with Jackson Right to Life, which was vandalized by abortion rights activists in June 2022, just before the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. Fox News attributed the attack to the group Jane's Revenge. [34]
In 2015, Walberg cosponsored a resolution to amend the US constitution to ban same-sex marriage. [35] Walberg also cosponsored a resolution disagreeing with the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges , which held that same-sex marriage bans violated the constitution. [36]
Walberg voted against the Respect for Marriage Act codifying Loving v. Virginia and Obergefell v. Hodges , recognizing marriages across state lines regardless of "sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals." [37]
On October 8, 2023, Walberg gave a keynote speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Uganda, at the invitation of Ugandan legislator David Bahati. Walberg's trip to Uganda was paid for by The Fellowship, which sponsored the breakfast. During his speech, Walberg urged Uganda to "stand firm" against international pressure to "change you", apparently referencing sanctions by the United States government against Uganda over the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, which prescribes lengthy prison sentences and in certain instances the death penalty for homosexual activities. “Worthless is the thought of the world, worthless, for instance, is the thought of the World Bank, or the World Health Organization, or the United Nations, or, sadly, some in our administration in America who say, ‘You are wrong for standing for values that God created,’ for saying there are male and female and God created them," said Walberg. Bahati, the original sponsor of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, stated that Walberg had told him “Uganda is on the right side of God,” when he asked Walberg if he were comfortable associating with Bahati. Walberg additionally praised Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who also spoke at the breakfast, and who signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law. [38] [39] [40] [41]
Walberg has repeatedly invoked birther conspiracy theories about President Barack Obama, arguing that Obama should have been impeached over his birth certificate. [42]
In December 2020, Walberg was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania , a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated [43] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. [44] [45] [46]
In March 2024, responding to a question about "why are we spending our money to build a port for them," [47] [48] referring to the Biden Administration's plan to build a temporary port off the coast of Gaza to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid in the Israel-Hamas War, [48] [49] Walberg told the crowd the U.S. "shouldn’t be spending a dime on humanitarian aid" and instead “should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick." [47] [48] [49] The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a U.S.-based Muslim civil rights group, condemned Walberg's comments as a "clear call to genocide." [50] Dawud Walid, Chief director of CAIR's Michigan chapter, said: "This ... should be condemned by all Americans who value human life and international law." "To call indifferently for the killing of every human being in Gaza sends a chilling message," Walid added. [51] [52]
Tadatoshi Akiba, a member of the Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo) and former mayor of Hiroshima City, and others held a press conference at City Hall on April 10. The letter of request, which was read out loud, criticized the Hibakusha for their suffering from radiation damage and psychological damage, and said "We regret your ignorance and insensitivity to the unjust suffering and human misery that occurred as a result of the atomic bombings." [53] Japanese Diet member Jin Matsubara criticized the event as a "defeat for diplomacy". In response, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa stated that she was not considering protesting. [54] [55]
Walberg also opposes humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War. “Instead [of] 80 percent in Ukraine being used for humanitarian purposes, it should be 80 [to] 100 percent to wipe out Russia — if that’s what we want to do.” [48] [49] Walberg also voted against aid to Ukraine in 2022. [56]
In response, Walberg denied advocating the use of nuclear weapons, claiming that he merely "used a metaphor to convey the need for both Israel and Ukraine to win their wars as swiftly as possible" despite his reference to the US dropping atomic bombs on two Japanese cities to bring an end to WWII. [50] [57]
Walberg and his wife, Sue, have been married since 1974. They have three adult children: Matthew, Heidi, and Caleb. [59]
Walberg is an ordained pastor. Ordained as a Baptist, he currently identifies as nondenominational [60] and attends a church affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. [61]
John Joseph Henry Schwarz, is an American physician and independent politician from Michigan, who was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as a moderate Republican. He represented Michigan's 7th congressional district from January 2005 to January 2007.
Mark Hamilton Schauer is an American politician who served as a U.S. representative for Michigan's 7th congressional district from 2009 to 2011.
The 2008 congressional elections in Michigan were held on November 4, 2008, to determine who would represent the state of Michigan in the United States House of Representatives. Michigan had fifteen seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2000 United States census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 111th Congress from January 3, 2009, until January 3, 2011. The election coincided with the 2008 U.S. presidential election.
Pam Byrnes is a former Democratic State Representative in the Michigan State House of Representatives, representing the 52nd District, which covers parts of Washtenaw County. On July 18, 2013, Pam Byrnes announced that she will run as a Democratic candidate to challenge Republican Representative Tim Walberg in Michigan's 7th congressional district.
The House Liberty Caucus is a congressional caucus consisting of conservative, libertarian, and libertarian conservative members of the United States House of Representatives.
Elections were held on November 2, 2010, to determine Michigan's 15 members of the United States House of Representatives. Representatives were elected for two-year terms to serve in the 112th United States Congress from January 3, 2011, until January 3, 2013. Primary elections were held on August 3, 2010.
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, a decrease of one following the 2010 United States census. 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 7, 2012. The filing deadline for candidates to file to run in the primary was May 15. Except for two seats, all the incumbents sought re-election. The open seats were the 5th and 11th congressional districts. Due to the loss of one seat from the 2010 census, two congressmen ran against each other.
The 2014 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the Governor of Michigan, concurrently with the election of Michigan's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
The 2014 U.S. House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the 14 members of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the election of Michigan's governor, as well as the Class 2 U.S. Senate Seat.
Gretchen Demarest Driskell is an American politician, accountant, and real estate agent from the state of Michigan. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 52nd district. Before her time in the Michigan legislature, she was the first female mayor of Saline, Michigan, a position she held for 14 years.
Thomas More Barrett is an American politician who served as a member of the Michigan Senate from the 24th district. A Republican, he previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.
The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate in 33 other states and various state and local elections. The deadline for candidates to file for the August 2 primary election was April 19.
Paul Mitchell III was an American businessman and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party for most of his Congressional tenure, he left the party in December 2020, three weeks prior to his departure from Congress, and became an independent. In July 2019, Mitchell announced that he would not run for re-election in 2020 to spend more time with his family.
The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 6, 2018, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other offices, including a gubernatorial election, other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The filing deadline for candidates filing for the August 7 primary was April 24, 2018. Unless otherwise indicated, the Cook Political Report rated the congressional races as safe for the party of the incumbent.
Elissa Blair Slotkin is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2019. The district, numbered as the 8th district from 2019 to 2023, is based in Lansing and stretches into Detroit's outer western suburbs.
The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the 14 U.S. representatives from the state of Michigan, one from each of the state's 14 congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. Party primaries were held on August 4, 2020. The Michigan delegation prior to the election consisted of seven Democrats, six Republicans and one Libertarian. Unless otherwise indicated, the Cook Political Report rated the races as safe for the party of the incumbents.
The 2024 United States Senate election in Michigan will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect a Class I member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Michigan. It will be held concurrently with the 2024 United States presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate, other elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Primary elections will take place on August 6, 2024. The election is considered essential for Democrats' chances to retain the Senate majority in 2024.
Hillary Jeanne Scholten is an American attorney and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan's 3rd congressional district since 2023. The district, which was once represented by late President Gerald Ford, is based in Grand Rapids and includes much of the urban core of West Michigan. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan were held on November 8, 2022, to elect representatives for the thirteen seats in Michigan. The deadline for candidates to file for the August 2 primary was April 19. The congressional makeup prior to the election was seven Democrats and seven Republicans. However, after the 2020 census, Michigan lost one congressional seat. Democrats won a majority of seats in the state for the first time since 2008. This can be partly attributed to the decrease in the number of districts, which resulted in two Republican incumbents – Bill Huizenga and Fred Upton – in the new 4th district. Redistricting also played a part in shifting partisan lean of the districts which favored the Democrats overall, including in the 3rd district, which Democrats were able to flip with a margin of victory of 13 points. That was made possible by a non-partisan citizens' commission drawing the new political boundaries instead of the Michigan legislature after a 2018 ballot proposal was approved.
Lisa Carmella McClain is an American politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 9th congressional district since 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she won election to the state's redrawn 9th district in the 2022 election. On November 15, 2022, McClain was elected to serve in congressional leadership as Secretary of the House Republican Conference.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)