Robert Aderholt

Robert Aderholt
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 1997
Preceded by Tom Bevill
Personal details
Born July 22, 1965 (1965-07-22) (age 46)
Haleyville, Alabama
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Caroline Aderholt
Residence Haleyville, Alabama
Alma mater Birmingham-Southern College, Samford University
Profession attorney
Religion United Methodist (convert from Congregationalist)

Robert Brown Aderholt[1] (born July 22, 1965) is the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 4th congressional district, serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party.

The district includes most of the far northern suburbs of Birmingham, as well as the southern suburbs of Huntsville and Decatur.

Contents

Early life, education and career

Aderholt was born in Haleyville, where he still lives, to Mary Frances Brown and Bobby Ray Aderholt.[2] Aderholt's father, 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. During college, Aderholt was a member of Kappa Alpha Order. Aderholt received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and practiced 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. Aderholt also endorsed a candidate for circuit judgeship in Blount County, Steven King. Though the move was controversial, King won the judgeship. Aderholt was subsequently criticized by many for endorsing someone that was not from his own district.

Political positions

Aderholt is a signer of Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge.[3]

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

Caucuses

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. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Aderholt has secured a significant amount of highway and sewer funding for the 4th District. Aderholt voted in favor of a joint resolution to withdraw the United States from the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2000 and 2005.[4][5]

Aderholt is a staunch supporter and confidant of "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore, whose home is in Gadsden, the longtime political center of the district. Moore joined Aderholt when Aderholt introduced the Constitution Restoration Act, controversial legislation which would remove issues regarding the First Amendment to the Constitution from the reach of the Federal Courts.

Aderholt has become very popular in his district, even though it still has a sizable majority of registered Democrats. However, most of the district's voters are very conservative on social issues.

Aderholt voted in favor of CAFTA, but has since stated that he relied on promises by the Bush White House that were not kept.

On November 4, 1999, Aderholt voted in favor of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act,[6] which some economists, including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, believe helped create the 2007 financial crisis.[7][8]

Bills sponsored

Sponsor HR 3808: Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 111th Congress

The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Bruce Braley (D., Iowa), Michael Castle (R., Del.), and Artur Davis (D., Ala.).

H.R. 3808 Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2010 - To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.

In short - This Bill would make it easier for banks and others to process foreclosure proceedings without human signature, allowing banks to throw people out of their homes across state lines.

Apr 27, 2010: This bill passed in the House of Representatives by voice vote. A record of each representative’s position was not kept.

Sep 27, 2010: This bill passed in the Senate by Unanimous Consent. A record of each senator’s position was not

Oct 8, 2010: Vetoed by President.

Political campaigns

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.

2010

Aderholt is ran unopposed, and "won".

He has joined the Tea Party Caucus.

Electoral history

Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 1996
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 102,741 49.89%
Democratic Robert T. Wilson, Jr. 99,250 48.20%
Libertarian Alan F. Barksdale 3,718 1.81%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 1998
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 106,297 56.40% +6.51%
Democratic Donald H. Bevill 82,065 43.54% -4.66%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2000
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 140,009 60.58% +4.18%
Democratic Marsha Folsom 86,400 37.39% -6.15%
Libertarian Craig Goodrich 3,519 1.52% +1.52%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 139,705 86.72% +26.14%
Libertarian Tony H. McLendon 20,858 1.42% +11.43%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 191,110 74.73% -11.99%
Democratic Carol Cole 64,278 25.14% +25.14%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 130,385 70.17% -4.56%
Democratic Barbara Bobo 54,382 29.71% +4.57%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 196,741 74.76% +4.59%
Democratic Nicholas B. Sparks 66,077 25.11% -4.60%
Alabama's 4th Congressional District House Election, 2010
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert B. Aderholt 167,714 98.82% +24.06%

Personal life

Aderholt is married to the former Caroline McDonald. They have two children. The Aderholts live in Arlington, Virginia.

References

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Tom Bevill
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 4th congressional district

1997–Present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Dan Lungren
R-California
United States Representatives by seniority
117th
Succeeded by
Leonard Boswell
D-Iowa