Carol Shea Porter
Encyclopedia
Carol Shea-Porter is the former U.S. Representative
for , serving from 2007 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party
.
Shea-Porter was defeated in the November 2, 2010 general election by former Manchester
mayor Frank Guinta
, and left Congress in January 2011.
of New Hampshire, attending local public schools, and graduating from the University of New Hampshire
. She earned a bachelor's degree in social services and a master's degree in public administration. A social worker by profession, she directed senior centers in New Orleans
and Maryland
. She attributes her decision to run for Congress to her experience as a volunteer relief worker in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
, when she was shocked by what she perceived to be the federal government's slow response to the disaster.
As a member of the Armed Services committee, Shea-Porter has been active in veterans' issues. She was a lead co-sponsor of a bill to protect US troops from the disposal of toxic waste in open burn pits. She also introduced a bill to study urological war wounds. About 3% of combat wounds in Iraq involve soldiers' genital or urinary systems. She also won expanded healthcare for NH veterans.
Shea-Porter supports a clean and renewable energy policy to decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources and agrees with a number of the objectives of financier and oil magnate T. Boone Pickens on these matters including continuance of emissions trading
measures, a system already in effect for her constituency in the form of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
begun in 2003 by Republican governor George Pataki
of New York. She voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act
.
Shea-Porter voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act
in 2009, and was active in efforts to close the "donut hole" in Medicare reimbursements for senior citizens.
Shea-Porter received a perfect score of 100% from the New Hampshire Association for Retired Americans for her support for 10 issues supported by the special interest group, referencing her votes in favor of blocking Social Security privatization, lowering Medicare costs, expanding access to affordable health care, stopping oil price gouging
, and protecting voting rights.
, many members of Congress held town hall meetings throughout their districts in an effort to explain and, in some cases, defend their votes. Shea-Porter, like several of her colleagues, found herself on the defensive at two such events held in Portsmouth
and Bedford
. A Londonderry man who repeatedly shouted down Shea-Porter and others was even removed by security. The lack of civility was noted by members of the event as well who, while disagreeing with Shea-Porter, wanted their concerns addressed in a more composed atmosphere."Tempers hot at Shea-Porter health meetings" Union Leader (August 30, 2010)
in the 2006 midterm elections
in an upset
victory to become the first woman elected to Congress from New Hampshire
.
Shea-Porter faced four other Democrats in primary on September 12, 2006. She won with 12,497 votes (54%); Jim Craig, the New Hampshire House minority leader, finished second with 34%. She then defeated Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley
in the general election, becoming the first Congresswoman from New Hampshire. Shea-Porter received 100,899 votes (52%) to Bradley's 94,869 votes (48%). She was victorious in the 2006 campaign although she received no financial support from either the Democratic National Committee
or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
and although her incumbent opponent spent triple the amount her own campaign did.
in 2008 changed its endorsement, which had gone to Bradley in 2006, to support Shea-Porter, citing her work on behalf of veterans and her record of service to constituents.
During her 2008 re-election campaign, Shea-Porter reversed course and requested financial support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
. The Committee enrolled Congresswoman Shea-Porter in their "Frontline" program "which helps vulnerable incumbents with fundraising and campaign infrastructure." During the 2008 race she marginally outspent former Congressman Jeb Bradley in a rematch of their 2006 contest
even though she set a fundraising record in 2008, by raising more in one quarter than any congressional campaign in New Hampshire's history. She totaled more than $260,000 from 2,589 donors, the bulk of which were individual donors.
Mayor Frank Guinta
.
! style="background:#ccc;"|Office
! style="background:#ccc;"|Election
!
! style="background:#ccc;"|Subject
! style="background:#ccc;"|Party
! style="background:#ccc;"|Votes
! style="background:#ccc;"|%
!
! style="background:#ccc;"|Opponent
! style="background:#ccc;"|Party
! style="background:#ccc;"|Votes
! style="background:#ccc;"|%
|-
|2006
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
| style="background:#def;"|100,837
| style="background:#def;"|51.31
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Jeb Bradley
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|95,538
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|48.61
|-
|2008
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
| style="background:#def;"|176,461
| style="background:#def;"|51.78
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Jeb Bradley
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|156,394
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|45.89
|-
|2010
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
| style="background:#def;"|95,503
| style="background:#def;"|42.36
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Frank Guinta
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|121,655
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|53.96
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving from 2007 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Shea-Porter was defeated in the November 2, 2010 general election by former Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
mayor Frank Guinta
Frank Guinta
Frank Guinta is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, an alderman, a state representative and a congressional aide.- Early life, education, and business career :...
, and left Congress in January 2011.
Early life, education and career
Shea-Porter grew up in the Seacoast RegionSeacoast Region (New Hampshire)
The Seacoast Region is the southeast area of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The region stretches 18 miles along the Atlantic Ocean from New Hampshire's border with Salisbury, Massachusetts to the Piscataqua River and New Hampshire's border with Kittery, Maine. The shoreline is generally very...
of New Hampshire, attending local public schools, and graduating from the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
. She earned a bachelor's degree in social services and a master's degree in public administration. A social worker by profession, she directed senior centers in New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
and Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. She attributes her decision to run for Congress to her experience as a volunteer relief worker in New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, when she was shocked by what she perceived to be the federal government's slow response to the disaster.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States House Committee on Armed Servicesthumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
- Subcommittee on ReadinessUnited States House Armed Services Subcommittee on ReadinessHouse Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness is a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:The Readiness Subcommittee exercises oversight and legislative jurisdiction over:...
- Subcommittee on Military Personnel
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Committee on Education and Labor
- Subcommittee on Healthy Families and CommunitiesUnited States House Education Subcommittee on Healthy Families and CommunitiesThe House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities is a former subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Education and Labor. It was also known as the Subcommittee on Select Education...
- Subcommittee on Workforce ProtectionsUnited States House Education Subcommittee on Workforce ProtectionsThe House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections is a standing subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce.-Jurisdiction:The Subcommittee's jurisdiction includes:...
- Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and WildlifeUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and WildlifeThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:- External links :*...
- Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:*...
- Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife
Political positions
Shea-Porter supports a clean and renewable energy policy to decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources and agrees with a number of the objectives of financier and oil magnate T. Boone Pickens on these matters including continuance of emissions trading
Emissions trading
Emissions trading is a market-based approach used to control pollution by providing economic incentives for achieving reductions in the emissions of pollutants....
measures, a system already in effect for her constituency in the form of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is a regional initiative by states and provinces in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada regions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions...
begun in 2003 by Republican governor George Pataki
George Pataki
George Elmer Pataki is an American politician who was the 53rd Governor of New York. A member of the Republican Party, Pataki served three consecutive four-year terms from January 1, 1995 until December 31, 2006.- Early life :...
of New York. She voted for the American Clean Energy and Security Act
American Clean Energy and Security Act
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 was an energy bill in the 111th United States Congress that would have established a variant of an emissions trading plan similar to the European Union Emission Trading Scheme...
.
Shea-Porter voted for the Affordable Health Care for America Act
Affordable Health Care for America Act
The Affordable Health Care for America Act was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives in November 2009. At the encouragement of the Obama administration, the 111th Congress devoted much of its time to enacting reform of the United States' health care system...
in 2009, and was active in efforts to close the "donut hole" in Medicare reimbursements for senior citizens.
Shea-Porter received a perfect score of 100% from the New Hampshire Association for Retired Americans for her support for 10 issues supported by the special interest group, referencing her votes in favor of blocking Social Security privatization, lowering Medicare costs, expanding access to affordable health care, stopping oil price gouging
Price gouging
Price gouging is a pejorative term referring to a situation in which a seller prices goods or commodities much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. In precise, legal usage, it is the name of a crime that applies in some of the United States during civil emergencies...
, and protecting voting rights.
Town hall disruptions
Following the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActPatient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
, many members of Congress held town hall meetings throughout their districts in an effort to explain and, in some cases, defend their votes. Shea-Porter, like several of her colleagues, found herself on the defensive at two such events held in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is a city in Rockingham County, New Hampshire in the United States. It is the largest city but only the fourth-largest community in the county, with a population of 21,233 at the 2010 census...
and Bedford
Bedford, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2000, there were 18,274 people, 6,251 households, and 5,125 families residing in the town. The population density was 556.6 people per square mile . There were 6,401 housing units at an average density of 195.0 per square mile...
. A Londonderry man who repeatedly shouted down Shea-Porter and others was even removed by security. The lack of civility was noted by members of the event as well who, while disagreeing with Shea-Porter, wanted their concerns addressed in a more composed atmosphere."Tempers hot at Shea-Porter health meetings" Union Leader (August 30, 2010)
2006
On November 7, 2006, Shea-Porter defeated incumbent Republican Jeb BradleyJeb Bradley
Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley is a Republican member of the New Hampshire State Senate, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Hampshire. He was formerly a U.S...
in the 2006 midterm elections
United States general elections, 2006
The 2006 United States midterm elections were held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. All United States House of Representatives seats and one third of the United States Senate seats were contested in this election, as well as 36 state governorships, many state legislatures, four territorial...
in an upset
Upset
An upset occurs in a competition, frequently in electoral politics or sports, when the party popularly expected to win , is defeated by an underdog whom the majority expects to lose, defying the conventional wisdom...
victory to become the first woman elected to Congress from New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
.
Shea-Porter faced four other Democrats in primary on September 12, 2006. She won with 12,497 votes (54%); Jim Craig, the New Hampshire House minority leader, finished second with 34%. She then defeated Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley
Jeb Bradley
Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley is a Republican member of the New Hampshire State Senate, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Hampshire. He was formerly a U.S...
in the general election, becoming the first Congresswoman from New Hampshire. Shea-Porter received 100,899 votes (52%) to Bradley's 94,869 votes (48%). She was victorious in the 2006 campaign although she received no financial support from either the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
or the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
and although her incumbent opponent spent triple the amount her own campaign did.
2008
Shea-Porter was re-elected to a second term in November 2008, defeating Bradley for the second time. The Concord MonitorConcord Monitor
The Concord Monitor is the daily newspaper for Concord, the state capital of New Hampshire. It also covers substantial portions of surrounding Merrimack and Belknap counties in New Hampshire's Lakes Region...
in 2008 changed its endorsement, which had gone to Bradley in 2006, to support Shea-Porter, citing her work on behalf of veterans and her record of service to constituents.
During her 2008 re-election campaign, Shea-Porter reversed course and requested financial support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield...
. The Committee enrolled Congresswoman Shea-Porter in their "Frontline" program "which helps vulnerable incumbents with fundraising and campaign infrastructure." During the 2008 race she marginally outspent former Congressman Jeb Bradley in a rematch of their 2006 contest
even though she set a fundraising record in 2008, by raising more in one quarter than any congressional campaign in New Hampshire's history. She totaled more than $260,000 from 2,589 donors, the bulk of which were individual donors.
2010
Shea-Porter was defeated by her Republican opponent, former ManchesterManchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
Mayor Frank Guinta
Frank Guinta
Frank Guinta is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served as the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, an alderman, a state representative and a congressional aide.- Early life, education, and business career :...
.
Electoral history
! style="background:#ccc;"|Year! style="background:#ccc;"|Office
! style="background:#ccc;"|Election
!
! style="background:#ccc;"|Subject
! style="background:#ccc;"|Party
! style="background:#ccc;"|Votes
! style="background:#ccc;"|%
!
! style="background:#ccc;"|Opponent
! style="background:#ccc;"|Party
! style="background:#ccc;"|Votes
! style="background:#ccc;"|%
|-
|2006
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
| style="background:#def;"|100,837
| style="background:#def;"|51.31
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Jeb Bradley
Jeb Bradley
Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley is a Republican member of the New Hampshire State Senate, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Hampshire. He was formerly a U.S...
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|95,538
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|48.61
|-
|2008
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
| style="background:#def;"|176,461
| style="background:#def;"|51.78
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Jeb Bradley
Jeb Bradley
Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley is a Republican member of the New Hampshire State Senate, currently serving as Senate Majority Leader. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Hampshire. He was formerly a U.S...
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|156,394
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|45.89
|-
|2010
|Congress, District 1
|General
||
| style="background:#def;"|Carol Shea-Porter
| style="background:#def;"|Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
| style="background:#def;"|95,503
| style="background:#def;"|42.36
||
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Frank Guinta
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|121,655
| style="background:#ffe8e8;"|53.96
External links
- Carol Shea-Porter for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Carol Shea-Porter's unusual journey to U.S. Congress Beverley Wang, Associated Press Writer, The Boston GlobeThe Boston GlobeThe Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
, November 8, 2006