Bill Paxon

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Bill Paxon
Bill Paxon

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 31st and 27th district
In office
January 3, 1989January 3, 1999
Preceded by Jack Kemp
Succeeded by Thomas M. Reynolds

Born April 29, 1954 (1954-04-29) (age 54)
Akron, New York
Political party Republican
Spouse Susan Molinari
Religion Roman Catholic

L. William Paxon (born April 29, 1954), commonly known as Bill Paxon, is a former U.S. Congressman and politician from New York.

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[edit] Early life

Paxon was born in Akron, near Buffalo, New York. At the age of 15, Paxon volunteered for the first congressional campaign of former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jack Kemp. Kemp, decades later, was the Republican Vice Presidential nominee in 1996. Paxon graduated from St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute high school in 1972, and then from Canisius College. He was elected to the Erie county legislature in November 1977. At 23, Paxon was the youngest member ever when elected. In addition, he holds honorary doctorates from Daeman College, Roberts Wesleyan College and Canisius College.

[edit] Political career

Paxon was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1982, and the House of Representatives as a Republican in 1988, where he served until 1999. He did not run for reelection in 1998, and was succeeded by Thomas M. Reynolds. During this period, he served as chair of House Leadership during the 105th Congress. In 1992, Paxon was elected Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He served as key advisor in George W. Bush's 2000 Presidential Campaign and chairman of the Bush-Cheney Transition Advisory Team.[1][2]

After leaving Congress, Paxon became an advisor to senior GOP congressional leaders, and served as chairman of the Majority Fund at the Republican National Committee. While in Congress, the traditionalist conservative Paxon worked closely with self-proclaimed moderate Susan Molinari, and later proposed to her on the House floor. Molinari, who is from Staten Island, served as an elected member of the House Republican Leadership.

They wed on July 3, 1994 and currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia with their two daughters.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] Kurtz, Howard. "Moving to the Right" The Washington Post April 19, 2006,
  2. ^ [2] The press breaks out: once used only by activists, outing is growing popular with mainstream reporters (The Advocate, October 13, 1998)
Preceded by
Richard Kennedy
New York State Assembly, 147th District
1983–1988
Succeeded by
Thomas M. Reynolds
Preceded by
Jack Kemp
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 31st congressional district

1989–1993
Succeeded by
Amo Houghton
Preceded by
James T. Walsh
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 27th congressional district

1993–1999
Succeeded by
Thomas M. Reynolds