Chris Chocola
Encyclopedia
Joseph Christopher "Chris" Chocola (born February 24, 1962) is the president of the Club for Growth
, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda.
Chocola was a Republican
member of the United States House of Representatives
from (map) from 2003 to 2007. He was defeated in 2006 by Joe Donnelly
.
Chocola was a member of the Agriculture, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means committees of the House of Representatives.
In April, 2009, Chocola became president of the Club for Growth
, a conservative political action committee
that focuses on fiscal issues.
. He grew up in Michigan, graduating from Williamston High School in 1980. He graduated in 1984 from Hillsdale College
, in Hillsdale, Michigan
, with a double major in business administration and political economy. While at Hillsdale College he joined the Alpha Tau Omega
Fraternity. After graduation, he went to work at Society National Bank, now known as KeyBank, which had recruited him into its management program in Cleveland
. When he left to go to law school, he was a foreign exchange trader for the bank.
Chocola attended law school
classes at night at Thomas M. Cooley Law School
, in Lansing, Michigan
, while working as a credit manager for his family's business, Chocola Cleaning Materials. He graduated in 1988.
In 1988, Chocola was hired as corporate counsel by CTB International in Milford, Indiana
, a manufacturer of products for the poultry, egg, swine, and grain production industries, which his grandfather, Howard Brembeck, had founded. He initially managed all the legal aspects of the business as corporate counsel. He then held various management positions until he was named CEO in 1994. In April 1999, he left the CEO position to become chairman of the board (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_March_10/ai_54061892).
In August 2002, CTB International was sold to Berkshire Hathaway
Inc., the investment firm of billionaire Warren Buffett
. The Chocola family (Chris, his parents, and other relatives) received 55% of the $140 million paid to shareholders of the company (http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/news/aug1902.html).
Chocola and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, Colin. They live in Bristol, Indiana
, which, after redistricting, is outside of the district he represented.
by a 52-47 margin. In that campaign, Chocola spent more than $1 million, including $465,000 of his own money.
In the October 8, 2000, edition of the Elkhart Truth
, an Elkhart, Indiana
newspaper, Chocola was quoted as saying that "Bush's
plan of individual investment of 2 percent of the money is a start. Eventually, I'd like to see the entire Social Security
system privatized. It's not a 'risky scheme'" (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_03_27.php#005279). In late October, after Roemer had featured that statement in political ads, Chocola said, "There is no one proposing, including me, a plan of total privatization." The newspaper, saying Chocola had made his statement in meeting its editorial board, refused to retract the story. Roemer refused to stop running the ad despite Chocola's contention that the quotation was taken out of context (http://www.etruth.com/News/Content.aspx?ID=230747&page=).
, and other top Republicans, to assist his bid.
by a 54-45 margin, in an election where Bush received 56 percent of the district's vote. In that race, Chocola outspent Donnelly $1.4 million to $700,000. Chocola was assisted by a fundraising visit from Vice President Dick Cheney
during the campaign.
In mid-August, in a report on National Republican Congressional Committee
planned spending, the Associated Press reported that "the GOP has not reserved advertising time to aid Rep. Chris Chocola in Indiana even though Democrats plan to spend at least $700,000 to win the district. House Republicans have told Chocola that he must fend for himself, given his personal wealth and his ability to raise large amounts of money" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap_on_el_ho/campaign_ad_wars).
(http://www.donnellyforuscongress.com), whom he had defeated in 2004. Donnelly had raised about $1.5 million (http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&id+IN02).
On August 16, the Cook Political Report
changed the rating for the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss-Up", saying "Despite a significant fundraising advantage over Democrat Joe Donnelly, which has helped fuel a barrage of negative attack ads, incumbent GOP Rep. Chris Chocola looks more like an underdog than the frontrunner" (http://www.cookpolitical.com/). Also in August 2006, Larry Sabato
's Crystal Ball
, a Web site run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics
, added the race to their "Ferocious Forty" list of the 40 most competitive House races in the nation (http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/house/?state=IN).
, whom Chocola had defeated in 2004. The final tally showed Chocola losing by a 54-46 margin, almost an identical reversal of his fortunes in 2004. The election had a much lower turnout than the previous campaign, and the difference appeared to come in St. Joseph County. Historically a Democratic stronghold, Chocola lost it by only a few hundred votes while cruising to victory in 2004. In 2006, however, Donnelly won the county by nearly 14,000 votes, garnering 58% of the vote in what is by far the most populous county of the district (http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/IN/H/02/index.html).
In January 2006, Chocola said that great strides were being made in transitioning Iraq from military coalition to police control. He said it was too early to predict when the job will be done.
Club for Growth
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...
, a fiscally conservative political organization that supports a low-tax and limited-government agenda.
Chocola was a 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...
member of the United States House of Representatives
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...
from (map) from 2003 to 2007. He was defeated in 2006 by Joe Donnelly
Joe Donnelly
Joseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Donnelly announced Monday May 9 that he would run for the United States Senate seat that is held by Republican Richard Lugar.-Early life, education and career:Joe Donnelly...
.
Chocola was a member of the Agriculture, Small Business, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means committees of the House of Representatives.
In April, 2009, Chocola became president of the Club for Growth
Club for Growth
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...
, a conservative political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
that focuses on fiscal issues.
Early life, education, and career
Chocola was born in Jackson, MichiganJackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
. He grew up in Michigan, graduating from Williamston High School in 1980. He graduated in 1984 from Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan, United States, is a co-educational liberal arts college known for being the first American college to prohibit in its charter all discrimination based on race, religion, or sex; its refusal of government funding; and its monthly publication, Imprimis...
, in Hillsdale, Michigan
Hillsdale, Michigan
Hillsdale is a city in the state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,305. It is the county seat of Hillsdale County, and is run as a council-manager government....
, with a double major in business administration and political economy. While at Hillsdale College he joined the Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
Fraternity. After graduation, he went to work at Society National Bank, now known as KeyBank, which had recruited him into its management program in Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. When he left to go to law school, he was a foreign exchange trader for the bank.
Chocola attended law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
classes at night at Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Thomas M. Cooley Law School is an American Bar Association accredited law school in the United States. Located in Michigan, its main campus is in Lansing, and its satellite campuses are in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, and Grand Rapids. Cooley plans on opening another satellite campus in Tampa Bay,...
, in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, while working as a credit manager for his family's business, Chocola Cleaning Materials. He graduated in 1988.
In 1988, Chocola was hired as corporate counsel by CTB International in Milford, Indiana
Milford, Kosciusko County, Indiana
Milford is a town in Kosciusko County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,550 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Milford is located at ....
, a manufacturer of products for the poultry, egg, swine, and grain production industries, which his grandfather, Howard Brembeck, had founded. He initially managed all the legal aspects of the business as corporate counsel. He then held various management positions until he was named CEO in 1994. In April 1999, he left the CEO position to become chairman of the board (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_March_10/ai_54061892).
In August 2002, CTB International was sold to Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, that oversees and manages a number of subsidiary companies. The company averaged an annual growth in book value of 20.3% to its shareholders for the last 44 years,...
Inc., the investment firm of billionaire Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett
Warren Edward Buffett is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful investors in the world. Often introduced as "legendary investor, Warren Buffett", he is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is...
. The Chocola family (Chris, his parents, and other relatives) received 55% of the $140 million paid to shareholders of the company (http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/news/aug1902.html).
Chocola and his wife, Sarah, have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, Colin. They live in Bristol, Indiana
Bristol, Indiana
Bristol is a town in Washington Township, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,602 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Bristol is located at ....
, which, after redistricting, is outside of the district he represented.
2000
In the 2000 election, Chocola made an unsuccessful bid for Congress, losing to incumbent Democrat Timothy J. RoemerTimothy J. Roemer
Timothy John "Tim" Roemer is an American political figure, who previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India...
by a 52-47 margin. In that campaign, Chocola spent more than $1 million, including $465,000 of his own money.
In the October 8, 2000, edition of the Elkhart Truth
Elkhart Truth
Elkhart Truth is a daily newspaper published in Elkhart, Indiana. It is owned by a family in Elkhart and operates under the "Federated Media" banner. It has been in business for 120 years as of 2009.-External links:**...
, an Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
newspaper, Chocola was quoted as saying that "Bush's
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
plan of individual investment of 2 percent of the money is a start. Eventually, I'd like to see the entire Social Security
Social Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
system privatized. It's not a 'risky scheme'" (http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_03_27.php#005279). In late October, after Roemer had featured that statement in political ads, Chocola said, "There is no one proposing, including me, a plan of total privatization." The newspaper, saying Chocola had made his statement in meeting its editorial board, refused to retract the story. Roemer refused to stop running the ad despite Chocola's contention that the quotation was taken out of context (http://www.etruth.com/News/Content.aspx?ID=230747&page=).
2002
Roemer retired after his 2001–2003 term. In 2002, Chocola ran again for the open seat. In November, he defeated former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson by a 51-46 margin, in a race that included campaign appearances by President Bush, Vice President Dick CheneyDick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
, and other top Republicans, to assist his bid.
2004
In 2004, Chocola defeated Democrat Joe DonnellyJoe Donnelly
Joseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Donnelly announced Monday May 9 that he would run for the United States Senate seat that is held by Republican Richard Lugar.-Early life, education and career:Joe Donnelly...
by a 54-45 margin, in an election where Bush received 56 percent of the district's vote. In that race, Chocola outspent Donnelly $1.4 million to $700,000. Chocola was assisted by a fundraising visit from Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
during the campaign.
Primary
In the Republican primary on May 2, 2006, Chocola faced Tony Zirkle (http://www.tonyzirkle.com), an attorney, Navy veteran, and frequent candidate, whom he had defeated in 2004. Chocola won 70% to 30%. Zirkle, who said he was "willing to debate the idea of returning the guillotine and lynch mob for those who prey on children under the age of 12", was unable to get Chocola to debate him on that or any other subject (http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060316/News01/603160348/CAT=News01).Fundraising
In the 2006 campaign cycle Chocola had raised about $3.2 million (http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.asp?CID=N00012586&cycle=2006).In mid-August, in a report on National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
planned spending, the Associated Press reported that "the GOP has not reserved advertising time to aid Rep. Chris Chocola in Indiana even though Democrats plan to spend at least $700,000 to win the district. House Republicans have told Chocola that he must fend for himself, given his personal wealth and his ability to raise large amounts of money" (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060816/ap_on_el_ho/campaign_ad_wars).
Democratic opponent
In the November general election, Chocola faced Democratic candidate Joe DonnellyJoe Donnelly
Joseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Donnelly announced Monday May 9 that he would run for the United States Senate seat that is held by Republican Richard Lugar.-Early life, education and career:Joe Donnelly...
(http://www.donnellyforuscongress.com), whom he had defeated in 2004. Donnelly had raised about $1.5 million (http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?cycle=2006&id+IN02).
Polls and ratings
A poll released in mid-June by the Donnelly campaign showed Donnelly leading 48% to 38% with 14% undecided. The campaign did not release all of the poll findings (http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060718/News01/60718024/CAT=News01). A poll released six days later, taken by the South Bend Tribune, showed the race to be at the margin of error with Donnelly at 46% and Chocola at 41%. The telephone poll interviewed 400 likely voters who were asked who they would vote for "if the election were held now" (http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/News01/60724010).On August 16, the Cook Political Report
Cook Political Report
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
changed the rating for the race from "Lean Republican" to "Toss-Up", saying "Despite a significant fundraising advantage over Democrat Joe Donnelly, which has helped fuel a barrage of negative attack ads, incumbent GOP Rep. Chris Chocola looks more like an underdog than the frontrunner" (http://www.cookpolitical.com/). Also in August 2006, Larry Sabato
Larry Sabato
Larry Joseph Sabato is an American political scientist and analyst. He is the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia, and director of its Center for Politics. He founded Sabato's Crystal Ball, an online newsletter and website that provides free political analysis and...
's Crystal Ball
Sabato's Crystal Ball
Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races...
, a Web site run by the University of Virginia Center for Politics
University of Virginia Center for Politics
The University of Virginia Center for Politics was founded in 1998 by professor and political analyst Larry J. Sabato to put into practice his belief that "Politics is a good thing!" The Center for Politics is a nonpartisan organization based in Charlottesville, Virginia, which seeks to increase...
, added the race to their "Ferocious Forty" list of the 40 most competitive House races in the nation (http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2006/house/?state=IN).
Defeat
On November 7, 2006, Chocola lost his congressional seat to Democratic candidate Joe DonnellyJoe Donnelly
Joseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly, Sr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Donnelly announced Monday May 9 that he would run for the United States Senate seat that is held by Republican Richard Lugar.-Early life, education and career:Joe Donnelly...
, whom Chocola had defeated in 2004. The final tally showed Chocola losing by a 54-46 margin, almost an identical reversal of his fortunes in 2004. The election had a much lower turnout than the previous campaign, and the difference appeared to come in St. Joseph County. Historically a Democratic stronghold, Chocola lost it by only a few hundred votes while cruising to victory in 2004. In 2006, however, Donnelly won the county by nearly 14,000 votes, garnering 58% of the vote in what is by far the most populous county of the district (http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/IN/H/02/index.html).
Actions as Representative
According to the profile by the Associated Press, "Chocola is a strong supporter of President Bush." The two do differ on some positions, such as illegal immigration. Chocola has supported (against the President's position) the "tough enforcement first" House version of changes in immigration law, in opposition to the President's calls for a guest worker program.In January 2006, Chocola said that great strides were being made in transitioning Iraq from military coalition to police control. He said it was too early to predict when the job will be done.
Social issues
- Chocola was a cosponsor of the Federal Marriage AmendmentFederal Marriage AmendmentThe Federal Marriage Amendment H.J. Res. 56 was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have limited marriage in the United States to unions of one man and one woman...
in 2003 and voted for that Amendment when it came to the floor in 2004. He again was a cosponsor of the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2006 (H.J. Res. 88) and voted for the amendment on July 18, 2006. - He voted in 2005 for an amendment to the Constitution preventing the desecration of the American flag.
- Voted for the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in July 2006, which restricts credit card companies from processing payment towards Internet gambling companies.
- Voted for the Pledge Protection ActPledge Protection ActThe Pledge Protection Act is a bill in the United States Congress that seeks to deprive all Federal courts, including the Supreme Court, of jurisdiction to hear constitutional challenges to the Pledge of Allegiance or its recitation. The bill was first introduced in response to a constitutional...
in mid-July 2006, which would prevent federal courts from ruling on cases involving the Pledge of AllegiancePledge of AllegianceThe Pledge of Allegiance of the United States is an expression of loyalty to the federal flag and the republic of the United States of America, originally composed by Christian Socialist Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942...
. - Voted against overriding President George W. BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement ActStem Cell Research Enhancement ActStem Cell Research Enhancement Act was the name of two similar bills that both passed through the United States House of Representatives and Senate, but were both vetoed by President George W. Bush and were not enacted into law...
in July 2006. The bill would have modified restrictions on embryonic stem cell research and allowed for federal funding of the research.
Fiscal and economic issues
- Introduced a bill that would place currency manipulation tariffs on China. He later denounced this bill when he became President of the Club for Growth.
- Voted against increasing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program by $1 billion in March 2006.
- Voted for the Tax Relief Extension Reconciliation Act in May 2006, which extended tax cuts set to expire over the next seven (7) years.
- Voted for the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act in June 2006. The bill permanently exempted personal estates of less than $5 million per spouse from estate taxes, and lowered the tax rate on larger estates.
- In the summer of 2006, voted for a bill that would allow private companies to drill for oil in ANWR.
- One of two cosponsors of HELPS Retirees Act (H.R. 2177), also known as the Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety Retirees Act of 2005, which enables retired public safety officers to designate up to $5,000 per year from governmental pension or deferred compensation funds for health care premiums on a pre-tax basis. This earned Chocola an endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters, one of his only endorsements from organized labor.