Jim Coburn
Encyclopedia
James B. "Jim" Coburn (born 1944 in Boston
, Massachusetts
, USA) is an entrepreneur, former New Hampshire state representative, and a former Republican
candidate for Governor of New Hampshire. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to Chester
, New Hampshire
when he was seven years old to live with his grandmother after his mother died of cancer
.
in Derry, New Hampshire
, and worked in a shoe factory before joining the United States Air Force
. He was stationed in West Germany
, serving as the crew chief of a nuclear weapons maintenance team. It was there that he met his wife, Christa.
Settling in Chester with his wife, after leaving the service, he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation
for 21 years. In 1994, he and a partner left Digital to start Valco Data Systems, which makes software to archive medical records.
Coburn’s wife died in 2004 after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis
. When she was diagnosed, he promised her that he would not put her in a nursing home or let her become bedridden. He also promised he would not enter politics as long as she lived.
He has said her experience has helped make health-care reform one of his top political priorities.
in 2004 representing Windham
.
His voting record as a state representative has reflected a conservative position on taxes, abortion and opposition to gay marriage.
firm Meridian Communications to handle his upcoming gubernatorial campaign, and on June 14, 2006, filed his candidacy for governor at the statehouse in Concord
.
He is a member of the National Rifle Association
, Gun Owners of New Hampshire, Pelham Fish & Game Club, and the New Hampshire Historical Society
.
On May 30, 2006 in the Concord Monitor
, he stated his support for a gas tax.
Coburn was a large underdog against Democratic incumbent, John Lynch, who as of 2006 is one of the most popular governors in the country. Results of the 2006 New Hampshire elections showed Lynch defeating Coburn by a landslide.
Coburn has two children and three grandchildren.
There was some speculation that Coburn might seek the Republican nomination for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district
to challenge incumbent Democrat
Paul Hodes
, but he did not, eventually endorsing Jennifer Horn for the position.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, USA) is an entrepreneur, former New Hampshire state representative, and a former 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...
candidate for Governor of New Hampshire. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to Chester
Chester, New Hampshire
Chester is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2010 census. It is home to Chester College .-History:Incorporated in 1722, Chester once included Candia, set off in 1763...
, 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...
when he was seven years old to live with his grandmother after his mother died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Background
Coburn graduated from Pinkerton AcademyPinkerton Academy
Pinkerton Academy is a secondary school in Derry, New Hampshire. It is the largest independent academy in the United States, serving roughly 3,600 students as the high school for the communities of Derry, Hampstead, Chester and sometimes Auburn...
in Derry, New Hampshire
Derry, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 33,109 people, 12,537 households, and 8,767 families residing in the town. The population density was 924.8 people per square mile . There were 13,277 housing units at an average density of 143.2/km²...
, and worked in a shoe factory before joining the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. He was stationed in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, serving as the crew chief of a nuclear weapons maintenance team. It was there that he met his wife, Christa.
Settling in Chester with his wife, after leaving the service, he worked for Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
for 21 years. In 1994, he and a partner left Digital to start Valco Data Systems, which makes software to archive medical records.
Coburn’s wife died in 2004 after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
. When she was diagnosed, he promised her that he would not put her in a nursing home or let her become bedridden. He also promised he would not enter politics as long as she lived.
He has said her experience has helped make health-care reform one of his top political priorities.
New Hampshire House of Representatives (2004-2006)
Soon after his wife's death, Coburn sold his share of Valco to his partner and entered politics. He won a seat in the New Hampshire House of RepresentativesNew Hampshire House of Representatives
The New Hampshire House of Representatives is the lower house in the New Hampshire General Court. The House of Representatives consists of 400 members coming from 103 districts across the state, created from divisions of the state's counties. On average, each legislator represents about 3,300...
in 2004 representing Windham
Windham, New Hampshire
Windham is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 13,592 at the 2010 census.- History :The area was initially home to the Pawtucket Native Americans. Scottish immigrants began to settle in the area in 1719. The region was known as “Nutfield” and included what...
.
His voting record as a state representative has reflected a conservative position on taxes, abortion and opposition to gay marriage.
Running for Governor (2006)
In March, 2006, he hired the 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...
firm Meridian Communications to handle his upcoming gubernatorial campaign, and on June 14, 2006, filed his candidacy for governor at the statehouse in Concord
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
.
He is a member of the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, Gun Owners of New Hampshire, Pelham Fish & Game Club, and the New Hampshire Historical Society
New Hampshire Historical Society
The New Hampshire Historical Society was founded in 1823. Its mission is to educate a diverse public about the significance of New Hampshire's past and its relationship to our lives today.-Introduction:...
.
On May 30, 2006 in the Concord Monitor
Concord 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...
, he stated his support for a gas tax.
Coburn was a large underdog against Democratic incumbent, John Lynch, who as of 2006 is one of the most popular governors in the country. Results of the 2006 New Hampshire elections showed Lynch defeating Coburn by a landslide.
Coburn has two children and three grandchildren.
There was some speculation that Coburn might seek the Republican nomination for New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district
New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district
New Hampshire's 2nd congressional district covers the western and northern parts of New Hampshire. It includes the state's second-largest city, Nashua, as well as the state capital, Concord...
to challenge incumbent Democrat
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...
Paul Hodes
Paul Hodes
Paul Hodes is an attorney, musician, and the former U.S. Representative for , serving fom 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was New Hampshire's first Jewish representative....
, but he did not, eventually endorsing Jennifer Horn for the position.
External links
- Coburn: Businessman Turned Politician, 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...
, June 11, 2006; by Norma Love. - Coburn Makes Gubernatorial Run Official, New Hampshire Union LeaderNew Hampshire Union LeaderThe New Hampshire Union Leader is the daily newspaper of Manchester, the largest city in the state of New Hampshire. As of September 2010 it had a daily circulation of 48,342 and the circulation of its Sunday paper, the New Hampshire Sunday News, was 63,991. It was founded in 1863.It was called...
, June 14, 2006; by Tom Fahey. - For Jim Coburn, governor's race is all according to plan, New Hampshire Union Leader column, May 24, 2006; by Fergus Cullen.
- Coburn for Governor Campaign website.