Martin Frost

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Jonas Martin Frost III
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 24th district
In office January 15, 1979 — January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Dale Milford
Succeeded by	Kenny Marchant
Born	January 1, 1942 Glendale, California
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kathryn Frost (1948-2006)
Religion	Judaism

Jonas Martin Frost III (born January 1, 1942) is an American politician, who was the Democratic representative to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Texas 24th Congressional District from 1979 to 2005. He was married to U.S. Army Major General (Retired) Kathryn Frost until her death in 2006.

Born in Glendale, California, Frost grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1964 with bachelor's degrees in journalism and history, later receiving his Juris Doctor degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1970.

Before going to law school, Frost worked as a newspaper reporter. Following his graduation, he worked as a law clerk for Federal Judge Sarah T. Hughes of the Northern District of Texas and began a private practice.

Frost ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the House in 1974. He tried again successfully in 1978, becoming the second Jewish U.S. congressman from Texas, the first being David Spangler Kaufman.

Frost was reelected 12 times without serious opposition. He served as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 1999 to 2003. However, he was one of the targets of a controversial redistricting engineered by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. His district, which included portions of Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington was redrawn to be much more Republican. It was an open secret that the new 24th was redrawn for State Representative Kenny Marchant. Moreover, his home in Arlington was shifted into the heavily Republican 6th District, represented by 10-term incumbent Joe Barton. Frost decided to seek re-election in the newly redrawn 32nd District, which included a considerable amount of territory that he had represented from 1979 until 1993. He lost by 10 points to Republican Pete Sessions. Since Ralph Hall's party switch earlier in 2004, Frost had been the only white Democrat to represent a significant portion of the Metroplex.

He was the ranking member of the House Rules Committee during his last term in the House.

In 2005, Frost was a candidate for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He dropped out of the race on February 1. On February 15, Frost was hired by FoxNews as a political commentator.

[edit] References

• Project Vote Smart - Representative Frost
• Election Information - U.S. House Office of the Clerk

Preceded by Dale Milford

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 24th congressional district 1979-2005

Succeeded by Kenny Marchant