Jerry Moran

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Jerry Moran

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 1997–
Preceded by	Pat Roberts
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	May 29, 1954 (age 52) Great Bend, Kansas
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Robba Moran
Religion	Methodist

Jerry Moran (born May 29, 1954, in Great Bend, Kansas) has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Kansas's 1st District (map). The district, popularly known as "the Big 1st," takes up 69 counties--nearly two-thirds of the state--due to its largely rural character.

[edit] Biography

Moran was born in Great Bend, Kansas, but grew up in Plainville.

Moran attended Fort Hays State University and later the University of Kansas where he completed degrees in economics and law. After an early career as a small town banker, Moran established a law practice in Hays and returned to FHSU as an adjunct professor of political science.

He served for eight years (1989-1996) in the Kansas Senate, the last two as majority leader. He was elected to Congress in 1996, and has been reelected five times, never facing serious opposition in one of the most Republican districts in the country; it is not unheard of for Republican candidates in this region to win with 90 percent or more of the vote. In 2003, for instance, he received a stunning 97 percent of the vote.

Moran's opponent for the 2006 midterm election was John Doll whom he defeated handily, receiving 79 percent of the vote.

In Congress, Moran has a largely conservative voting record. However, he has a considerable independent streak. The Southwest Daily Times once quoted him as saying, "I will always put Kansans ahead of the pressures in Washington"--a quote he posted on his Web site. He opposed No Child Left Behind, and unlike most congressmen from rural districts, opposed the Medicare prescription drug bill. While criticized by then-Speaker Dennis Hastert for the latter vote, Moran has received numerous awards for his leadership in health care both on the state and national level.

Moran was also noted for his opposition to President Bush's Iraq troop surge. He was quoted as saying that it "does not make sense to send in more troops if the Iraqi people aren't willing to set aside sectarian differences and commit to rebuilding their country."^[1]