Richard A. Hoffman
Encyclopedia
Richard A. Hoffman is a politician
and investment banker from the U.S. state
of New York
. In the 2004 election, he challenged incumbent
U.S. Representative
Nita Lowey
, but was defeated, taking only 30% of the vote in New York's 18th congressional district
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/NY/H/18/index.html. In 2006 he ran again, again taking 30% of the vote http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/NY/H/18/index.html.
. He worked as an investment banker with Credit Suisse First Boston
prior to entering the House race and had not served in any political capacity prior to the race race. Hoffman lives in Bronxville, New York
with his wife (Vicki) and their three children.
On the issues, Hoffman was strongly conservative
. He received a "D" rating (the second-lowest possible) from the American Civil Liberties Union
, while getting high marks from the National Rifle Association
and the American Conservative Union
. He also received a ranking of "anti-choice" from NARAL Pro-Choice America
.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and investment banker from the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In the 2004 election, he challenged incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
U.S. Representative
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...
Nita Lowey
Nita Lowey
Nita Melnikoff Lowey is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She previously represented the 20th district from 1989 to 1993.-Early life, education and career:...
, but was defeated, taking only 30% of the vote in New York's 18th congressional district
Congressional district
A congressional district is “a geographical division of a state from which one member of the House of Representatives is elected.”Congressional Districts are made up of three main components, a representative, constituents, and the specific land area that both the representative and the...
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004//pages/results/states/NY/H/18/index.html. In 2006 he ran again, again taking 30% of the vote http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/results/states/NY/H/18/index.html.
Biography
Hoffman was born in St. Mary's, Pennsylvania and attended the University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
. He worked as an investment banker with Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston
Credit Suisse First Boston was the former name of the banking firm Credit Suisse.-History:In 1978, Credit Suisse and First Boston Corporation formed a London-based 50-50 investment banking joint venture called the Financière Crédit Suisse-First Boston...
prior to entering the House race and had not served in any political capacity prior to the race race. Hoffman lives in Bronxville, New York
Bronxville, New York
Bronxville is an affluent village within the town of Eastchester, New York, in the United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately north of midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County. At the 2010 census, Bronxville had a population of 6,323...
with his wife (Vicki) and their three children.
2004 race
In U.S. House elections, the vast majority of incumbents are re-elected, and Lowey was not seen as particularly vulnerable. Accordingly, Lowey raised over $1.6 million, while Hoffman got only $63,355 in donations http://opensecrets.org/races/summary.asp?ID=NY18&Cycle=2004. Initial hopes from Party leaders that Hoffman would self-fund his race were dashed when early polling in the race indicated virtually no support for Hoffman's candidacy and he was advised to not squander his personal assets.On the issues, Hoffman was strongly conservative
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
. He received a "D" rating (the second-lowest possible) from the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
, while getting high marks from 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...
and the American Conservative Union
American Conservative Union
The American Conservative Union is an American political organization advocating conservative policies, and is the oldest such conservative lobbying organization in the country.-Organization:...
. He also received a ranking of "anti-choice" from NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America
NARAL Pro-Choice America , formerly the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, then National Abortion Rights Action League, and later National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, is an organization in the United States that engages in political action to oppose...
.