John Salazar

John T. Salazar, a Democrat, represented the third Congressional district of Colorado in the United States House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Pueblo, Durango and Grand Junction are in Salazar's district.

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

Bio
Salazar was born July 21, 1953 in Alamosa, Colorado, but calls Manassa, Colorado home. He is married to Mary Lou Salazar and has three children. His brother, Ken Salazar, was also elected in 2004 to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate.

Salazar served in the U.S. Army from 1973-1976, and is a farmer and rancher, raising cattle, potatos, wheat, barley, and hay. He also served on the Colorado Agricultural Commission from 1999-2002 and in the Colorado House of Representatives. from 2003 until 2004.

Salazar, who grew up on his parents' farm and ranch, is concerned with conservation, particularly when it comes to water rights. He has said his top priority on Capitol Hill will be ensuring that water derived from the snow melt of Colorado's Western Slope will stay in his district instead of being sent to California or Nevada. Though a Democrat, he has conservative leanings -- he opposes expanding gun control and supports permanent repeal of the inheritance tax. He also supports allowing Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada.

As a veteran, a son of a veteran, and father of a child serving in the Colorado National Guard (as of 2004), Salazar has also been vocal against cuts to veterans' benefits and has criticized the Bush administration's proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Republicans nominated Scott Tipton, and the Libertarian Party nominated Bert L. Sargent to face Salazar in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Salazar 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 Water Resources and Environment


 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
 * Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture Programs

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

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Coalitions and Caucuses

 * Board Member, Reo Grande Water Conservation District, 1990-1994
 * Member, Colorado State Agricultural Commission
 * Board Member, Governor's Economic Development Advisory

Boards and other Affiliations

 * Dr. Michael P. Espinoza Challenge for Success
 * Manasa Elementary School, Basketball Basics For Leadership Training
 * Saint Joseph's Parish Youth Group.

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles & Commentary

 * Marie Therese, Editorial: "Is FOX News Setting Stage for Swiftboating of John Murtha?" News Hounds, June 26, 2006. re Stolen Valor Act, swiftboating, John P. Murtha

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Colorado Pols: Politics, News, and Inside Information
 * NewWest.net -- A Refreshing, new kind of journalism.

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