Fred Heineman

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Fred Heineman (born 28 December 1929) was a Republican U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1995 and 1997.

Born in New York, New York, Heineman attended Mt. St. Michael High School, Concordia Junior College, Westchester Community College, the University of Bridgeport, St. Francis College, and John Jay College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1951-1954) and as a New York City police officer (1955-1979).

In 1979, Heineman came to North Carolina as the chief of police of the city of Raleigh. In 1994, he stepped down as chief of police and ran for Congress as a Republican against incumbent Democrat David Price, narrowly besting Price in the "Republican Revolution" of 1994. After a single term in the 104th Congress (January 3, 1995 - January 3, 1997), Heineman was defeated for re-election in 1996 by Price.

Heineman made news in 1996 with his assertion that his $180,000 income makes him lower-middle class. "When I see a first-class individual who makes $80,000 a year, he's lower middle class," Heineman said. "When I see someone who is making anywhere from $300,000 to $750,000 a year, that's middle class. When I see anyone above that, that's upper middle class."