E. Clay Shaw, Jr.
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| E. Clay Shaw | |
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| In office 1981-2007 |
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| Preceded by | None (District Created After 1990 Census) |
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| Succeeded by | Ron Klein |
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| Born | April 19, 1939 Miami, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Emilie Shaw |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Eugene Clay Shaw Jr. (born April 19, 1939) is an American politician who was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1981 until 2007. He represented the 22nd District of Florida until he was defeated by Ron Klein in the 2006 midterm election.
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[edit] Years prior to Congress
Shaw was born in Miami, Florida. He graduated in 1957 from Miami Edison Senior High School. He received a bachelor's degree in business in 1961 from Stetson University in Florida, where he joined Sigma Nu Fraternity, a master's degree in accounting in 1963 from the University of Alabama, and a law degree in 1966 from Stetson University School of Law.
After graduation, Shaw practiced law and worked as a certified public accountant. In 1968, he became assistant city attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was chief city prosecutor from 1968 to 1969, then became an associate municipal judge and, later, city commissioner from 1971-1973. After two years as vice mayor, he served as mayor of Fort Lauderdale from 1975 to 1981.
Shaw is a member of The Florida Bar and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
[edit] Congress
[edit] 2000, 2002, and 2004 campaigns
Shaw faced a tough challenge in November 2000 from State Representative Elaine Bloom, who lost by only 599 votes. It was only the second difficult reelection contest for Shaw. The district, once a Republican-leaning swing district, shifted heavily to the Democrats in the early 1990s along with most of South Florida. Al Gore defeated George W. Bush in the district by 52% to 48%.
The Florida Legislature responded by cutting out a heavily Democratic section of Miami-Dade County in the 2000s round of redistricting, replacing it with sections of Palm Beach County. This district was only slightly less Democratic than its predecessor, but Shaw scored easier reelections in 2002 and 2004.
In 2002, Shaw was reelected with 61% of the vote against Democrat Carol Roberts, a former Palm Beach County Commissioner.
In 2004, Shaw won reelection with 63% of the vote against a last-minute replacement Democratic candidate, Robin Rorapaugh. His original opponent, Jim Stork, dropped out before the election for medical reasons, but his name remained on the ballot.[1] John Kerry defeated George W. Bush in the district by a margin of 50% to 48%.[2]
[edit] 2006 re-election
Shaw ran for re-election in 2006 against Democratic challenger Ron Klein, a three term state senator from Boca Raton. This time he lost, 51%-41%.
[edit] Committees and caucuses
Shaw was the second most senior Republican on the House Ways and Means committee at the time he left Congress.
From 2005 to 2007, Shaw chaired the Ways and Means Trade subcommittee. From 1999 to 2005, he was as Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee. From 1995 to 1998, Shaw chaired the Human Resources subcommittee.
He also was chairman of the Florida delegation from 1996 until leaving office. He was also on the Congressional Arts Caucus, Congressional Fire Services Caucus, Congressional Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus, Congressional Social Security Caucus, Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, Friends of Ireland, Law Enforcement Caucus, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus. He is also the co-chair of the following Congressional Boating Caucus, Congressional Coastal Caucus, and International Conservation Caucus.
[edit] External links
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Associated Press 2006 election candidate profile
- Former Campaign website
- Voting record maintained by the Washington Post
- US News Report on Clay Shaw's 2006 Re Election Campaign
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edward J. Stack |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 12th congressional district 1981-1983 |
Succeeded by Tom Lewis |
| Preceded by Dante B. Fascell |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 15th congressional district 1983-1993 |
Succeeded by Jim Bacchus |
| Preceded by District Created after 1990 Census |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 22nd congressional district 1993-2007 |
Succeeded by Ron Klein |
