Tom Tauke

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Thomas Joseph "Tom" Tauke (born October 11, 1950 in Dubuque, Iowa) is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Tauke represented the northeast corner of the state of Iowa (2nd district) as a Republican from 1979 to 1991, entering Congress as one of the youngest members. Tauke left active politics in 1991 following an unsuccessful bid to unseat U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. [1] He has continued to establish himself as a leading voice and public policy advocate in the U.S. telecommunications industry. Jim Nussle followed him as the Representative for northeast Iowa.

Tauke is now Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Policy and Communications for Verizon. He has made recent news with his statements in opposition to the Net Neutrality Bill, which has been a recent source of debate among internet users. As a spokesman for Verizon, one of the main opponents of the bill, Tauke has expressed his discontent with Net Neutrality.

Prior to entering the House, he had served as a lawyer. He was also a two term member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1975 to 1979. Tauke's undergraduate degree was earned at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and his law degree was earned at the University of Iowa.

He currently resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife Beverly and children Joseph and Elizabeth.