Tim Holden

Thomas Timothy Holden has been a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 17th District of Pennsylvania, since 1993.

Record and controversies
Holden is one of the most socially conservative Democrats in the House. His district consistantly votes Republican in presidential elections, yet he has held a solid hold on his district. He is pro-life and has consistantly voted that way. He voted for a ban on partial birth abortions in 2000. He is opposed to gun control. He was only one of a few democrats to receive a grade of "A" by the NRA (National Rifle Association). 

Iraq War
Holden voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Bio
Holden was born March 5, 1957 in St. Clair, Pennsylvania. In 1980, he earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. He then became a licensed real estate agent and later an insurance broker (1983). He has worked as a probation officer, Sergeant-at-Arms for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and was the sheriff of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Congressional career
Holden represented the 6th District, based in Reading, from 1993-2003. The 2000 redistricting dismantled Holden's old district and placed his home in the Harrisburg-based 17th District, represented by 10-term Republican George Gekas. The district was gerrymandered in an apparent attempt to force Holden out of Congress, a ploy that backfired. Gekas had represented 60% of the new district, and George W. Bush had carried the district with 57% of the vote in 2000. However, Holden surprised everyone by running for re-election. Forced into his first competitive race ever, Gekas was surprised to find much of his old base endorsing Holden. Holden narrowly defeated Gekas.

In 2004, Holden ran for re-election against Republican lawyer Scott Paterno, son of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Paterno was actively supported by influential Republicans, and President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney came to the district several times to support Paterno. Nevertheless, Holden, a self-described "conservative democrat" won re-election by a comfortable margin even as Bush easily carried the district.

2006 elections
In 2006, Republicans nominated Matthew Arlington Wertz to face Holden in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Holden retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines


 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research - Chair

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Conservation Credit Rural Development and Research - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on Department Operations Oversight Dairy Nutrition and Forestry
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines

External resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

External articles

 * "Redistricting Doesn't Always Work" Associated Press, October 28, 2004.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * The All-Spin Zone