| Revision as of 04:33, 29 March 2010 editRrius (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers46,549 edits Please take this to the talk page. There is no clear reason why this shouldn't be in the article.← Previous edit | Revision as of 04:42, 29 March 2010 edit undo75.253.201.112 (talk) Undid revision 352676355 by Rrius (talk)Tag: references removedNext edit → | ||
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| | image=Jim DeMint.jpg | | image=Jim DeMint.jpg | ||
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| | place of birth=], ] | | place of birth=], ] | ||
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| | occupation=marketing consultant | | occupation=marketing consultant | ||
| | residence= Greenville, South Carolina | | residence= Greenville, South Carolina | ||
| | spouse=Debbie DeMint | | spouse=Debbie DeMint | ||
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| == Early life, education, and early career == | == Early life, education, and early career == | ||
| Sen. DeMint was born in ], one of four children. DeMint's parents, Tom Eugene DeMint and the former Betty W. (Rawlings) Bonaparte,<ref></ref> divorced when he was five. His mother operated a dance studio. DeMint was educated at the ] and Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. DeMint played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper.<ref>John J. Miller, , National Review, February 22, 2010</ref> He received a ] from the ] and an ] from ]. | Sen. DeMint was born in ], one of four children. DeMint's parents, Tom Eugene DeMint and the former Betty W. (Rawlings) Bonaparte,<ref></ref> divorced when he was five. His mother operated a dance studio. DeMint was educated at the ] and Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. DeMint played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper.<ref>John J. Miller, , National Review, February 22, 2010</ref> He received a ] from the ] and an ] from ]. | ||
| Prior to entering politics, DeMint worked in the field of ]. In 1983, he founded his own research firm, the DeMint Group. He was president of this corporation until 1998. | Prior to entering politics, DeMint worked in the field of ]. In 1983, he founded his own research firm, the DeMint Group. He was president of this corporation until 1998. | ||
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| In the Senate, DeMint introduced a failed amendment to change the ] corporate accountability legislation. {{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} | In the Senate, DeMint introduced a failed amendment to change the ] corporate accountability legislation. {{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} | ||
| On the issue of immigration, DeMint favors requiring all illegal immigrants in the United States to return to their home countries and apply for legal residency. He is also against the ] program and is in favor of establishing ] as the country's official language.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} | On the issue of immigration, DeMint favors requiring all illegal immigrants in the United States to return to their home countries and apply for legal residency. He is also against the ] program and is in favor of establishing ] as the country's official language.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} | ||
| On February 6, 2008 Jim DeMint was joined by senators ], ], ], ], and ] for the introduction of the Semper Fi Act of 2008 which would strip federal funding from ] in response to the ].<ref name="SJM Lawmakers">{{cite web | On February 6, 2008 Jim DeMint was joined by senators ], ], ], ], and ] for the introduction of the Semper Fi Act of 2008 which would strip federal funding from ] in response to the ].<ref name="SJM Lawmakers">{{cite web | ||
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| Following an ] on December 25, 2009, DeMint criticized President ] for lacking focus on terrorism since taking office and for failing to appoint a head of the ]. Demint has also had a singular role in blocking a vote on Obama's nominee for the position, ].<ref></ref> | Following an ] on December 25, 2009, DeMint criticized President ] for lacking focus on terrorism since taking office and for failing to appoint a head of the ]. Demint has also had a singular role in blocking a vote on Obama's nominee for the position, ].<ref></ref> | ||
| == |
==Bibliography== | ||
| In 2009, DeMint authored a book entitled ''Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism'' (Fidelis, Nashville, 2009). | In 2009, DeMint authored a book entitled ''Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism'' (Fidelis, Nashville, 2009). | ||
| === |
===Campaign finances=== | ||
| From 2001 to 2006, Demint’s largest campaign donors came from the health professionals ($612,923 in donations), lawyers/law firms ($462,418), and real estate ($444,779) industries. <ref> http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00002472&cycle=2006 OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics</ref> From 2003 to 2008, his largest donors once again came from the health professionals ($697,986), lawyers/law firms ($581,598) and real estate ($574,736) industries. <ref> http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=2008&type=I&cid=N00002472&newMem=N Cener for Responsive Politics</ref> | From 2001 to 2006, Demint’s largest campaign donors came from the health professionals ($612,923 in donations), lawyers/law firms ($462,418), and real estate ($444,779) industries. <ref> http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00002472&cycle=2006 OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics</ref> From 2003 to 2008, his largest donors once again came from the health professionals ($697,986), lawyers/law firms ($581,598) and real estate ($574,736) industries. <ref> http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=2008&type=I&cid=N00002472&newMem=N Cener for Responsive Politics</ref> | ||
| == |
==Electoral history== | ||
| === 2004 election === | === 2004 election === | ||
| {{Main|United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2004}} | {{Main|United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2004}} | ||
| DeMint declared his candidacy the Senate on December 12, 2002, after Hollings announced that he would retire after the 2004 elections. DeMint was supposedly the ]'s preferred candidate in the Republican primary. | DeMint declared his candidacy the Senate on December 12, 2002, after Hollings announced that he would retire after the 2004 elections. DeMint was supposedly the ]'s preferred candidate in the Republican primary. | ||
| In the Republican primary on June 8, 2004 DeMint placed a distant second, 18 percentage points behind former governor ]. DeMint won the runoff handily, however. | In the Republican primary on June 8, 2004 DeMint placed a distant second, 18 percentage points behind former governor ]. DeMint won the runoff handily, however. | ||
| DeMint then faced ] state education superintendent ] in the November general election. DeMint led Tenenbaum through much of the campaign and ultimately defeated her by 9.6 percentage points. DeMint's win meant that South Carolina was represented by two Republican Senators for the first time since ], when ] and ] served together as Senators. | DeMint then faced ] state education superintendent ] in the November general election. DeMint led Tenenbaum through much of the campaign and ultimately defeated her by 9.6 percentage points. DeMint's win meant that South Carolina was represented by two Republican Senators for the first time since ], when ] and ] served together as Senators. | ||
| DeMint stirred controversy during debates with Tenenbaum when he stated his belief that openly ] people should not be allowed to teach in ]. When questioned by reporters, DeMint also stated that ]s who live with their boyfriends should similarly be excluded from being educators. He later apologized for making the remarks without specifically retracting their substantive claims, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate." He also noted that these were opinions based on his personal values, not issues he would or could deal with as a member of Congress.<ref>Dan Hoover, , ''Greenville News'', October 6, 2004</ref> | DeMint stirred controversy during debates with Tenenbaum when he stated his belief that openly ] people should not be allowed to teach in ]. When questioned by reporters, DeMint also stated that ]s who live with their boyfriends should similarly be excluded from being educators. He later apologized for making the remarks without specifically retracting their substantive claims, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate." He also noted that these were opinions based on his personal values, not issues he would or could deal with as a member of Congress.<ref>Dan Hoover, , ''Greenville News'', October 6, 2004</ref> | ||
| DeMint has since re-tooled his rhetoric regarding homosexuals as a public health initiative.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} In a 2008 interview, he cited the prevalence of certain diseases among homosexuals as his reason for opposing gay marriage. <ref>Demint, Jim, Remarks to Diane Rehm, 'The Diane Rehm Show', National Public Radio, January 31, 2008</ref> | |||
| '''2004 South Carolina United States Senate election''' | '''2004 South Carolina United States Senate election''' | ||
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| |} | |} | ||
| == |
==Footnotes== | ||
| {{Reflist|2}} | {{Reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 04:42, 29 March 2010
| Jim DeMint | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from South Carolina | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2005Serving with Lindsey Graham | |
| Preceded by | Ernest Hollings |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 4th district | |
| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Inglis |
| Succeeded by | Bob Inglis |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Debbie DeMint |
| Residence(s) | Greenville, South Carolina |
| Alma mater | University of Tennessee, Clemson University |
| Occupation | marketing consultant |
James Warren DeMint (born September 2, 1951) has been a United States Senator from South Carolina since 2005. He had previously represented South Carolina's 4th congressional district from 1999 to 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life, education, and early career
Sen. DeMint was born in Greenville, South Carolina, one of four children. DeMint's parents, Tom Eugene DeMint and the former Betty W. (Rawlings) Bonaparte, divorced when he was five. His mother operated a dance studio. DeMint was educated at the Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville, South Carolina and Wade Hampton High School in Greenville. DeMint played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. from Clemson University.
Prior to entering politics, DeMint worked in the field of market research. In 1983, he founded his own research firm, the DeMint Group. He was president of this corporation until 1998.
DeMint married his high school sweetheart, Josephine de Beauharnais, on September 1, 1973; the couple have four children.
U.S. House of Representatives
In 1998, Fourth District Congressman Bob Inglis kept his promise to serve only three terms, by running against Senator Fritz Hollings.
DeMint won the Republican primary for the district, which includes Greenville and Spartanburg. He then went on to win the general election in November. The district is considered the most Republican in the state, and he did not face a serious or well-funded Democratic opponent in 1998 or in his two re-election campaigns in 2000 and 2002.
U.S. Senate
Committee assignments
- Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
- Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion
- Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance
- Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Joint Economic Committee
Political positions and actions
 | This section may require cleanup to meet Misplaced Pages's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this section if you can. (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
DeMint's main work has been opposing the increase of Federal government spending, both under the Bush and Obama Administrations. He was opposed to federal bailouts for banks and other corporations. For his stances on budgetary issues, DeMint has been strongly supported by the conservative political group Club for Growth. He was ranked as the most conservative United States Senator by National Journal in 2007 and 2008.
DeMint has been a consistent supporter of school prayer and has introduced legislation that would allow schools to display banners such as one stating "God Bless America".
DeMint favors banning all forms of abortion, including in cases of rape and incest.
DeMint is a member of the C Street Family, a Christian prayer group which includes many prominent Republican members of Congress that has been referred to as fundamentalist.
In the Senate, DeMint introduced a failed amendment to change the Sarbanes-Oxley corporate accountability legislation.
On the issue of immigration, DeMint favors requiring all illegal immigrants in the United States to return to their home countries and apply for legal residency. He is also against the Guest Worker program and is in favor of establishing English as the country's official language.
On February 6, 2008 Jim DeMint was joined by senators Saxby Chambliss, Tom Coburn, John Cornyn, James Inhofe, and David Vitter for the introduction of the Semper Fi Act of 2008 which would strip federal funding from Berkeley, California in response to the Berkeley Marine Corps Recruiting Center controversy. The bill would have eliminated $2.1 million in earmarks for the city and the University of California, Berkeley and would have instead directed the funds to the Marine Corps Recruiting Fund. His actions were reprimanded by both the House and Senate leadership as divisive and unnecessary. His bill was defeated by a 74-25 vote.
DeMint introduced a 2009 amendment to a multi-billion dollar economic stimulus bill that would have prohibited lawmakers from using any percentage of transportation funds on bicycle, walking, or wilderness trails. Additionally, DeMint opposed the whole bill.
DeMint was one of two Senators, along with David Vitter, to vote against Hillary Clinton's confirmation to become the United States Secretary of State.
DeMint went to Honduras in 2009 and met with de facto president Roberto Micheletti. The White House has explicitly banned meetings with the current leaders. The United States officially viewed ousted president Manuel Zelaya as the legitimately elected president.
Following an attempted terrorist attack on December 25, 2009, DeMint criticized President Barack Obama for lacking focus on terrorism since taking office and for failing to appoint a head of the Transportation Security Administration. Demint has also had a singular role in blocking a vote on Obama's nominee for the position, Erroll Southers.
Bibliography
In 2009, DeMint authored a book entitled Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism (Fidelis, Nashville, 2009).
Campaign finances
From 2001 to 2006, Demint’s largest campaign donors came from the health professionals ($612,923 in donations), lawyers/law firms ($462,418), and real estate ($444,779) industries. From 2003 to 2008, his largest donors once again came from the health professionals ($697,986), lawyers/law firms ($581,598) and real estate ($574,736) industries.
Electoral history
2004 election
Main article: United States Senate election in South Carolina, 2004DeMint declared his candidacy the Senate on December 12, 2002, after Hollings announced that he would retire after the 2004 elections. DeMint was supposedly the White House's preferred candidate in the Republican primary.
In the Republican primary on June 8, 2004 DeMint placed a distant second, 18 percentage points behind former governor David Beasley. DeMint won the runoff handily, however.
DeMint then faced Democratic state education superintendent Inez Tenenbaum in the November general election. DeMint led Tenenbaum through much of the campaign and ultimately defeated her by 9.6 percentage points. DeMint's win meant that South Carolina was represented by two Republican Senators for the first time since Reconstruction, when Thomas J. Robertson and John J. Patterson served together as Senators.
DeMint stirred controversy during debates with Tenenbaum when he stated his belief that openly gay people should not be allowed to teach in public schools. When questioned by reporters, DeMint also stated that single mothers who live with their boyfriends should similarly be excluded from being educators. He later apologized for making the remarks without specifically retracting their substantive claims, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate." He also noted that these were opinions based on his personal values, not issues he would or could deal with as a member of Congress.
2004 South Carolina United States Senate election
| Jim DeMint (R) 53.7% |
| Inez Tenenbaum (D) 44.1% |
| Patrick Tyndall (Constitution) 0.8% |
| Rebekah Sutherland (Libertarian) 0.7% |
| Tee Ferguson (United Citizens Party) 0.4% |
| Efia Nwangaza (Green) 0.3% |
Footnotes
- "2008 Vote Ratings", National Journal
- demint
- John J. Miller, Senator Tea Party, National Review, February 22, 2010
- Political Arithmetik: National Journal 2006 Liberal/Conservative Scores
- NATIONAL JOURNAL: 2007 Vote Ratings (03/07/2007)
- http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/jim_demint.htm
- http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=25026#409
- Inside The C Street House, Salon.com July 21 2009
- Oakley, Doug (2008-02-07). "Lawmakers aim to punish Berkeley over anti-Marines stance". San Jose Mercury News. MediaNews Group. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite web}}: More than one of|author=and|last=specified (help) - Voiland, Adam, "Senator DeMint's Pro-Obesity Legislation", "DC Bicycle Transportation Examiner" March 1, 2009
- Democrats target Jim DeMint's Honduras trip
- DeMint: Obama "Has Downplayed Terrorism"
- http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00002472&cycle=2006 OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics
- http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cycle=2008&type=I&cid=N00002472&newMem=N Cener for Responsive Politics
- Dan Hoover, "DeMint apologizes after remarks on gays", Greenville News, October 6, 2004
External links
- United States Senator James W DeMint official Senate site
- Jim DeMint for US Senator official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- SourceWatch Congresspedia — Jim DeMint profile
- Open Secrets - Jim Demint
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded byErnest F. "Fritz" Hollings | U.S. senator (Class 3) from South Carolina 2005–present Served alongside: Lindsey Graham |
Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byRichard Burr R-North Carolina |
United States Senators by seniority 67th |
Succeeded byTom Coburn R-Oklahoma |
| South Carolina's current delegation to the United States Congress | |
|---|---|
| Senators |
|
| Representatives (ordered by district) |
|
| Current United States senators | ||
|---|---|---|
| President: ▌ JD Vance (R) ‧ President pro tempore: ▌ Chuck Grassley (R) | ||
|  | |
| ||
| United States senators from South Carolina | ||
|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | | |
| Class 3 | ||
- Articles needing cleanup from October 2009
- Cleanup tagged articles without a reason field from October 2009
- Misplaced Pages pages needing cleanup from October 2009
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina
- American Presbyterians
- United States Senators from South Carolina
- South Carolina Republicans
- Clemson University alumni
- University of Tennessee alumni