Robert Aderholt

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Robert Aderholdt

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 1997–
Preceded by	Tom Bevill
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	July 22, 1965 (age 41) Haleyville, Alabama
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Caroline Aderholt
Religion	Congregationalist

Robert Aderholt (born July 22, 1965), is American politician and a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing Alabama's 4th congressional district.

1 Life and political career
2 House record
3 Committees and subcommittees
4 Electoral history
5 Group ratings (2004)
6 External links

[edit] Life and political career

Aderholt is from Winston County, the one ancestrally Republican county in northern Alabama which opposed secession in the Civil War. Aderholt's father, Bobby, a part-time minister for a small group of Congregational churches in northwest Alabama, was a circuit judge for more than 30 years, and his wife's father was a state commissioner and senator. He attended the University of North Alabama and then Birmingham-Southern College where he graduated. Aderholt received his law degree from Samford University and practed law after graduation. In 1992, Aderholt was appointed Haleyville municipal judge, and in 1995 become the top aide to Governor Fob James. With that experience, he won the Republican primary in the race to succeed 15-term Democratic incumbent Tom Bevill, who retired from Congress in 1996.

As the Republican nominee, Aderholt faced a considerable challenge against State Senator Bob Wilson Jr., who called himself a Democrat "in the Tom Bevill tradition". In a culturally conservative district, Aderholt didn't hedge on cultural issues. This was a seriously contested district, receiving a deal of national coverage and significant support from the Republican Party. Newt Gingrich personally visited the district during the campaign. Aderholt won narrowly, 50%-48%, and hasn't faced serious opposition since.

Aderholt is married to the former Caroline McDonald. They have two children. The Aderholts make their residence in Haleyville.

[edit] House record

Robert Aderholt's political orientation based on voting record

Aderholt's voting record is generally conservative, however his vote on economic issues has been generally based on the concerns of his district rather than an overarching ideology. He has been notable in his support of quotas on steel imports and sponsored a bill assessing additional antidumping duties on foreign steel in 1999. He reached out further to industrial unions with his vote against PNTR with China. Aderholt's most notable success has been the continued protection of the sock industry, based out of Fort Payne, Alabama. He voted against the free trade agreements with Chile, Morocco, and Singapore, but supported the US-Australia FTA. One wonders what the difference really was among these agreements, though the answer is not hard to find. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Aderholt has secured a significant amount of highway and sewer funding for the 4th District.

Aderholt has somewhat successfully converted this ancestrally Democratic seat into a Republican bastion of the south.

[edit] Committees and subcommittees

House Committee on Appropriations (21st of 37)
- Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life, Veterans Affairs & Related Agencies (Vice Chairman)
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary & District of Columbia

[edit] Electoral history

2006 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Robert Aderholt (R)	128,412	70
	Barbara Bobo (D)	54,338	30
	Robert Aderholt (R) re-elected for 6th term

2004 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Robert Aderholt (R)	191,110	75
	Carl Cole (D)	64,278	25
	Robert Aderholt (R) re-elected for 5th term

2002 General Election

Candidate		Votes	%
	Robert Aderholt (R)	139,705	87
	Tony H. McLendon (Lib)	20,858	13
	Robert Aderholt (R) re-elected for 4th term.

Previous Elections

General Election 2000: Robert Aderholt (R) - 61%
General Election 1998: Robert Aderholt (R) - 56%
General Election 1996: Robert Aderholt (R) - 50%

[edit] Group ratings (2004)

National Journal
- Economic: 27% Liberal, 72% Conservative
- Social: 0% Liberal, 91% Conservative
- Foreign: 4% Liberal, 93% Conservative
Americans for Democratic Action: 0
American Civil Liberties Union: 0
Chamber of Commerce of the United States: 100
Christian Coalition: 100
American Conservative Union: 92
National Taxpayers Union: 49
League of Conservation Voters: 9

[edit] External links

U.S. Congressman Robert B. Aderholt official House site
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Federal Election Commission - Robert B. Aderholt campaign finance reports and data
On the Issues - Robert Aderholt issue positions and quotes
OpenSecrets.org - Robert B. Aderholt campaign contributions
Project Vote Smart - Representative Robert B. Aderholt (AL) profile
SourceWatch Congresspedia - Robert Aderholt profile
Washington Post - Congress Votes Database: Robert Aderholt voting record

Political offices
Preceded by Tom Bevill	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 4th congressional district 1997–Present	Succeeded by Incumbent