Jon Porter
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Christopher "Jon" Porter (born May 16, 1955), an American
politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives
, the first representative elected from the new 3rd Congressional District of Nevada
.
He won re-election in the 2006 midterm election
against Tessa Hafen by a 48%-47% margin. On November 4, 2008, after three consecutive terms, he was defeated by Nevada State Senator Dina Titus
, a Democrat
and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
, Iowa
, and graduated from Humboldt High School
in Humboldt, Iowa
. He attended Briar Cliff College and worked in his family business for several years before moving to Boulder City, Nevada
, a suburb of Las Vegas
, where he lives today.
He began his political career in 1983 when he was elected to the Boulder City Council. That year he also became an agent for Farmers Insurance. Porter was elected mayor of Boulder City
in 1987 and served in that capacity until 1991. He served in the Nevada Senate
from 1994 until 2002.
, a bipartisan rock
and country
band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season.
Porter lost the race for U.S. Congress in Nevada's 1st congressional district
against Democratic incumbent Shelley Berkley
. Berkley won 52% to 44%.
2002
However, this immediately made him the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the newly created 3rd District. The district had been created due to a population explosion in the Las Vegas area. Porter easily won the Republican nomination and faced Clark County
Commissioner Dario Herrera
. The race was considered one of the hottest in the nation, in part because the district had been created as a "fair fight" district. However, Herrera's campaign foundered due to ethical problems, most notably when he was paid $50,000 by the Las Vegas Housing Authority for "public relations work." Porter won 56% to 37%.
2004
Porter defeated Tom Gallagher by a wider-than-expected 14-point margin (54% to 40%).
2006
Porter won re-election over his opponent Tessa Hafen, former press secretary for U.S. Senator Harry Reid
, with 48% to 47%.
bordercolordark="#C0C0C0" bordercolorlight="#FFFFFF">
Recipient
Total
No. of Payments
Autumn Productions, Las Vegas, NV
$1,455,053
12
November Inc, Las Vegas, NV
$207,835
54
Townsend Group Alexandria, VA
$100,095
25
Weeks & Co LLP, Austin, TX
$86,724
6
American Express, Los Angeles, CA
$74,065
26
Public Opinion Strategies, Alexandria, VA
$72,620
8
Foundations Inc, Las Vegas, NV
$66,632
37
Majority Strategies, Columbus, OH
$39,798
15
Peckman Maureen, Las Vegas, NV
$38,950
7
Slanker Mike, Las Vegas, NV
$36,148
10
Slanker, Mike, Las Vegas, NV
$35,493
35
2008
The closeness of the 2006 race, combined with the marginal nature of the district, led Democrats to target Porter for defeat in 2008. After their initial choice, Clark County Prosecutor Robert Daskas, dropped out for family reasons, the Democrats quickly recruited State Senate
Minority Leader Dina Titus
, the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor in 2006. In the November 2008 election, Porter lost only the second general election of his career, taking 42 percent of the vote to Titus' 47 percent. Porter was likely hampered by a sharp increase in Democratic registration, as well as Barack Obama
carrying the district with 55 percent of the vote.
and the Budget Committee
.
and called for a quick end to the invasion. He supported the Iraq War troop surge of 2007
. On July 12, 2007, Porter said he will not reconsider his stance on the Iraq war until September 2007 when General
Petraeus
presented a report on the efficacy of the Iraq troop surge. On August 29, 2007, Porter claimed that U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would lead to $9 per gallon gasoline
.
, a progressive political organization, and voted twice to implement George W. Bush
's national energy policy.
.
. This legislation would have overturned the Supreme Court
decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
by changing the computation of the statute of limitations
to make it easier to file a lawsuit for violating equal pay laws.
and other groups which provide abortion services. In September 2004, Porter voted to amend the United States Constitution
to ban same-sex marriage.
considers Porter to have an anti-union voting record.
agreed with 39% of his votes on their key issues, and describe his record as 'mixed'. In December 2005, Jon Porter voted to make the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Porter opposed requiring hospitals to notify immigration authorities of illegal immigrants seeking treatment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician, was a Republican 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...
, the first representative elected from the new 3rd Congressional District of Nevada
Nevada's 3rd congressional district
The 3rd Congressional District of Nevada is a congressional district occupying the suburbs of Las Vegas, including Henderson, parts of North Las Vegas and Summerlin, and much of unincorporated Clark County...
.
He won re-election in the 2006 midterm election
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...
against Tessa Hafen by a 48%-47% margin. On November 4, 2008, after three consecutive terms, he was defeated by Nevada State Senator Dina Titus
Dina Titus
Alice Costandina "Dina" Titus is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously served in the Nevada Senate and was that body's minority leader from 1993 to 2009....
, a 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...
and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Early life, education, and early political career
Porter was born in Fort DodgeFort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, and graduated from Humboldt High School
Humboldt High School (Iowa)
Humboldt High School is a public, co-educational high school in Humboldt, Iowa. It is a part of Humboldt Community School District, and serves grades nine through twelve.-Academics:...
in Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt is a city in Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,690 at the 2010 census, gaining 238 people since the 2000 census.- History :...
. He attended Briar Cliff College and worked in his family business for several years before moving to Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is approximately from the City of Las Vegas. As of the 2010 census the population of Boulder City was 15,023.Boulder City is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibit gambling....
, a suburb of Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, where he lives today.
He began his political career in 1983 when he was elected to the Boulder City Council. That year he also became an agent for Farmers Insurance. Porter was elected mayor of Boulder City
Boulder City, Nevada
Boulder City is a city in Clark County, Nevada, United States. It is approximately from the City of Las Vegas. As of the 2010 census the population of Boulder City was 15,023.Boulder City is one of only two cities in Nevada that prohibit gambling....
in 1987 and served in that capacity until 1991. He served in the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
from 1994 until 2002.
U.S. House of Representatives
In December, 2005, he joined with several other congressmen to form the Second AmendmentsSecond Amendments
The Second Amendments is a bipartisan rock and country band, all of the members of which were also members of the United States House of Representatives...
, a bipartisan rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season.
Elections
2000Porter lost the race for U.S. Congress in Nevada's 1st congressional district
Nevada's 1st congressional district
Nevada's 1st congressional district occupies most of Nevada's largest city, Las Vegas, as well as parts of North Las Vegas and parts of unincorporated Clark County. The district now leans Democratic....
against Democratic incumbent Shelley Berkley
Shelley Berkley
Rochelle "Shelley" Berkley is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1999, and a candidate for U.S. Senate. She is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education, and legal career:...
. Berkley won 52% to 44%.
2002
However, this immediately made him the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the newly created 3rd District. The district had been created due to a population explosion in the Las Vegas area. Porter easily won the Republican nomination and faced Clark County
Clark County, Nevada
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,375,765 people, 512,253 households, and 339,693 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 71.6% White , 9.1% Black, 5.7% Asian, 0.8% American Indian and 12.8% of other or mixed race. 22.0% were Hispanic of any race...
Commissioner Dario Herrera
Dario Herrera
Dario Herrera is a former Democratic politician from Nevada. Herrera was considered a rising star in the Democratic Party until his defeat for election to the United States House of Representatives in 2002 and his subsequent convictions on federal public corruption charges.-Political...
. The race was considered one of the hottest in the nation, in part because the district had been created as a "fair fight" district. However, Herrera's campaign foundered due to ethical problems, most notably when he was paid $50,000 by the Las Vegas Housing Authority for "public relations work." Porter won 56% to 37%.
2004
Porter defeated Tom Gallagher by a wider-than-expected 14-point margin (54% to 40%).
2006
Porter won re-election over his opponent Tessa Hafen, former press secretary for U.S. Senator Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, with 48% to 47%.
| Note: Contributions are not from the organizations themselves, but are rather from the organization's PAC, employees or owners. Totals include subsidiaries and affiliates. | ||
Autumn Productions, Las Vegas, NV
$1,455,053
12
November Inc, Las Vegas, NV
$207,835
54
Townsend Group Alexandria, VA
$100,095
25
Weeks & Co LLP, Austin, TX
$86,724
6
American Express, Los Angeles, CA
$74,065
26
Public Opinion Strategies, Alexandria, VA
$72,620
8
Foundations Inc, Las Vegas, NV
$66,632
37
Majority Strategies, Columbus, OH
$39,798
15
Peckman Maureen, Las Vegas, NV
$38,950
7
Slanker Mike, Las Vegas, NV
$36,148
10
Slanker, Mike, Las Vegas, NV
$35,493
35
2008
The closeness of the 2006 race, combined with the marginal nature of the district, led Democrats to target Porter for defeat in 2008. After their initial choice, Clark County Prosecutor Robert Daskas, dropped out for family reasons, the Democrats quickly recruited State Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
Minority Leader Dina Titus
Dina Titus
Alice Costandina "Dina" Titus is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously served in the Nevada Senate and was that body's minority leader from 1993 to 2009....
, the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor in 2006. In the November 2008 election, Porter lost only the second general election of his career, taking 42 percent of the vote to Titus' 47 percent. Porter was likely hampered by a sharp increase in Democratic registration, as well as Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
carrying the district with 55 percent of the vote.
Committee assignments
Porter was a member of the Ways and Means CommitteeUnited States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
and the Budget Committee
United States House Committee on the Budget
The U.S. House Committee on the Budget, commonly known as the House Budget Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress...
.
War in Iraq
Porter supported the 2003 Invasion of Iraq2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
and called for a quick end to the invasion. He supported the Iraq War troop surge of 2007
Iraq War troop surge of 2007
In the context of the Iraq War, the surge refers to United States President George W. Bush's 2007 increase in the number of American troops in order to provide security to Baghdad and Al Anbar Province....
. On July 12, 2007, Porter said he will not reconsider his stance on the Iraq war until September 2007 when General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Petraeus
David Petraeus
David Howell Petraeus is the current Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, sworn in on September 6, 2011. Prior to his assuming the directorship of the CIA, Petraeus was a four-star general serving over 37 years in the United States Army. His last assignments in the Army were as commander...
presented a report on the efficacy of the Iraq troop surge. On August 29, 2007, Porter claimed that U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would lead to $9 per gallon gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
.
Energy and oil
Jon Porter voted against tax incentives for renewable energy, tax incentives for bio fuels, and removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. He had a 0% rating on energy independence from the Campaign for America's FutureCampaign for America's Future
Campaign for America's Future is an American political organization with a strongly progressive orientation. Its main issues of concern include the environment, energy independence, health care reform, Social Security, and education...
, a progressive political organization, and voted twice to implement George W. Bush
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....
's national energy policy.
Social Security
Porter supported limited, partial privatization of Social SecuritySocial 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...
.
Equal pay
Porter voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay ActLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 is an Act of Congress enacted by the 111th United States Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama on January 29, 2009....
. This legislation would have overturned the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 550 U.S. 618 , is an employment discrimination decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice Alito held for the five-justice majority that employers cannot be sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act over race or gender pay discrimination...
by changing the computation of the statute of limitations
Statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is an enactment in a common law legal system that sets the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings based on that event may be initiated...
to make it easier to file a lawsuit for violating equal pay laws.
Social issues
On July 19, 2007, Porter voted for an amendment that would have cut off funding for Planned ParenthoodPlanned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
and other groups which provide abortion services. In September 2004, Porter voted to amend the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
to ban same-sex marriage.
Labor
In January 2007, Jon Porter voted against raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25. In March 2007, Porter voted against restricting employer influences in union organizing. The AFL-CIOAFL-CIO
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, commonly AFL–CIO, is a national trade union center, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions, together representing more than 11 million workers...
considers Porter to have an anti-union voting record.
Civil rights
The NAACPNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, usually abbreviated as NAACP, is an African-American civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909. Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to...
agreed with 39% of his votes on their key issues, and describe his record as 'mixed'. In December 2005, Jon Porter voted to make the PATRIOT Act permanent.
Illegal immigration
Porter opposed requiring hospitals to notify immigration authorities of illegal immigrants seeking treatment.
External links
- Porter for Congress campaign site