Tom Udall

Thomas Stewart Udall, a Democrat, currently serves as the junior member in the U.S. Senate from New Mexico. Formerly, Udall represented the Third Congressional District of New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2008. He won the 2008 Democratic primary to fill retiring Sen. Pete Domenici's seat and then defeated Republican Stevan Pearce in the general election.

Iraq War
Udall says that, "The War in Iraq was a bad idea from the beginning. It is time to bring our troops home. I opposed the war then, and I oppose it now." He also visited Iraq in 2006 and called for a phased redeployment by the end of 2006. Udall voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Udall voted "yes" on H CON RES 63 in February 2007, which was approved in the House by a margin of 246 to 182 |4. This bill stated that Congress "disapproves" of the president's plan for 20,000 new troops in Iraq. To correspond with his anti-war beliefs, Udall also has had consistently high support for interest groups such as the American-Islamic Relations and Peace Action. |5.

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

Abortion
Udall has consistently supported NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood, while just as consistently been against the interests of the National Right to Life Committee |1. On December 6, 2006, he voted "no" on the failed "Abortion Pain Bill." |2 On May 5, 2005, he voted "yes" on the also rejected Overseas Military Facilities Abortion Amendment, which was a liberal leaning bill. |3.

Gun issues
The National Rifle Association gave Udall a grade of D-minus in 2006, and in contrast, has been supported by groups such as The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. |6. His anti-gun status has been reaffirmed by his voting record for bills such as the Firearms Manufacturers Protection Bill, which was passed in the House in 2005, but received a "no" vote by Udall. |7. He voted "no" on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which passed in the House as well. |8.

Immigration
Udall has consistently supported the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which is left-leaning, and consistently gets high grades from Democrats. |9 He does not support the group U.S. Border Control, which is on the conservative-end of the spectrum. |10. Udall voted "no" on the passed Secure Fence Act of 2006, which was designed to tighten border security. |11. He also voted "no" on the passed Immigration Law Enforcement Act of 2006, which gave state and local governments the authority to investigate and prosecute cases concerning illegal immigrants. |12.

Social Security
Udall has consistently received full support from the interest groups Alliance for Retired Americans and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, who both opposed Social Security reforms proposed by the Republican Party in 2005. |13. He also has voted "yes" on many bills that prevent investing one's Social Security in the stock market. |14.

2008 election
Following the retirement announcement of Sen. Pete Domenici, speculation mounted over whether Udall would enter the race to replace New Mexico's senior senator. On October 5, 2007, Udall announced he would not vacate his seat for a Senate bid. A grassroots movement called Draft Udall, organized by former Udall intern, began soliciting pledges of support should the Congressman decide to enter the race. At the same time, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee begin to pressure Udall as well.

On November 9, Udall's chief of staff confirmed a senate bid, indicating a formal announcement would follow.

On June 3, 2008, he captured the nomination.

Background
Udall was born May 18, 1948. He graduated from Prescott College in 1970. In 1975, he graduated from Cambridge University in England with a Bachelor of Law degree. That fall, he enrolled in the University of New Mexico School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1977. After graduating, Tom Udall was Law Clerk to Chief Justice Oliver Seth of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Tom's legal career then included appointments as Assistant US Attorney in the criminal division and Chief Counsel to the Department of Health and Environment. A partnership followed in the Miller Law Firm.

From 1991 to 1999 he served New Mexico as Attorney General. He is the son of Stewart Udall, who was Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969, nephew of Congressman Morris Udall, and cousin of Colorado Congressman Mark Udall and Oregon Senator Gordon Smith.

Congressional Career
Udall was elected to Congress as a Representative in 1998, and since 2009, Udall has served as a Senator from New Mexico.

2006 Election
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Ronald M. Dolin to face Udall in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Udall retained his seat.

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

 * House Committee on Appropriations
 * Subcommittee on Interior and Environment
 * Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services
 * Subcommittee on Legislative Branch

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

 * House Committee on Resources
 * Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health - Ranking Minority Member
 * Subcommittee on National Parks Recreation and Public Lands
 * House Committee on Small Business
 * Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises Agriculture and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Workforce Empowerment and Government Programs
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Caucuses and Coalitions

 * New Democrat Coalition
 * Rural Health Care Coalition
 * Steering Committee

Boards and Other Affiliations

 * President, National Association of Attorneys General, 1996
 * New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board, 1986-1987
 * Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque, Incorporated
 * Former Board Member, La Compania de Teatro de Albuquerque
 * Board Member, LAW FUND, Regional Environmental Public Interest Law Firm
 * Leadership Award, National Commission Against Drunk Driving
 * Public Service Award, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Twitter
 Tom Udall posts on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tomudall/

Latest posts: &lt;rss&gt;http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/14140370.rss|title=none| max=3| short&lt;/rss&gt; See all the Members of Congress who Twitter

External Resources

 * U.S. House website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database
 * TomUdall.com - 2008 Senate campaign website
 * See how you compare to Tom Udall

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Democracy for New Mexico
 * New Mexico Politics with Joe Monahan
 * NewWest.net -- A Refreshing, new kind of journalism.