Chris Stewart (politician)
| Chris Stewart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Matheson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christopher Douglas Stewart July 15, 1960[1] Logan, Utah, U.S. |
| Nationality | United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Evie Stewart |
| Children | Sean Dane Lance Kayla Brice Megan |
| Residence | Farmington |
| Alma mater | Utah State University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Author Businessman |
| Religion | Mormonism |
| Website | Representative Chris Stewart |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1984–1998 |
| Rank |  Major |
Christopher Douglas "Chris" Stewart (born July 15, 1960) is an American author, businessman, and politician known for his bestsellers Seven Miracles That Saved America and The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World. He currently represents Utah's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.
Stewart graduated from Utah State University in 1984 before joining the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force, Stewart set three world speed records including the fastest nonstop flight around the world.[2] After his service, Stewart began writing novels and became the President and CEO of the Shipley Group. His New York Times bestsellers, Seven Miracles That Saved America and The Miracle of Freedom were published on October 14, 2009[3] and June 3, 2011.[4] He formally announced his candidacy for Congress on December 6, 2011.
Early life and education
Stewart was born in Logan, Utah, and grew up on a dairy farm in Cache Valley, an agricultural valley of northern Utah and southeastern Idaho. His father was a retired Air Force Pilot and teacher. His mother, Sybil S. Stewart, was a full-time homemaker and was recognized as the Utah Mother of the Year in 1996.[5]
Stewart graduated from Sky View High School in 1978 and entered Utah State University in the fall of the same year. After a year in college, Stewart took a break and served as a Mormon missionary in Texas. After his church service, Stewart re-entered Utah State University, and in 1984 earned a degree in economics from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.
Military service
Stewart served in the Air Force for 14 years, primarily flying rescue helicopters and the B-1B bomber. He was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Mountain Home Air Force Base, and other Air Force bases.
Training
After college, Stewart was accepted into the Air Force's Officer Training School. He was also accepted into Undergraduate Pilot Training. Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Graduate (top of the class) in both endeavors. As the distinguished graduate, Stewart was trained to fly helicopters and jet-aircraft. Only two officers are accepted into this dual-training program per year.
World records
In 1995, Stewart was awarded the Mackay Trophy for "significant aerial achievement" for the combat capability operation known as Coronet Bat. On June 3, 1995, Chris and a flight of two B-1s set the world record for the fastest non-stop flight around the world. Stewart was the senior project officer for this mission. The purpose of the mission was to demonstrate the capability of the B-1 Lancer with live bombing activity over three bombing ranges on three continents in two hemispheres.[6] In the process, the team set three world records, flying 36,797.65 kilometers in 36 hours 13 minutes.[7]
The mission was recounted in the film Supersonic Saints: Thrilling Stories from LDS Pilots.[8]
Private sector career
Business career
After his military career, Stewart turned to the private sector. He was the president and CEO of the Shipley Group, a consulting company that specializes in energy and environmental issues.[9] Shipley also participates in government anti-terrorism training, corporate security and executive preparedness consulting. He sold Shipley Group in December 2012 just prior to being sworn in as a U.S. Congressman representing Utah's 2nd congressional district.[10]
Writing career
Stewart first began writing books in the late nineties. His first novel, Shattered Bone, was published October 1, 1998.[11] Stewart wrote four additional techno-thrillers before he began writing the series The Great and Terrible. Before completing his last book in that series, he started writing historical novels. His book Seven Miracles That Saved America was chosen as "Book of the Month", and The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World became a New York Times Bestseller within two weeks of publication, and was selected for the National Communications Award by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. The Miracle of Freedom and Seven Miracles That Saved America were co-written with his brother Ted Stewart. The Miracle of Freedom was endorsed by radio/talk show host Glenn Beck, and Beck's coverage is credited with the book becoming a bestseller.[12][13]
Stewart has written fourteen books, and has been chosen by the Book of the Month Club.[14][15] His works have been published in twelve countries.[16]
He has worked with Elizabeth Smart to co-write her memoir, My Story.[17]
In 2005, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed A Christmas Bell for Anya, which he co-authored with his wife Evie.[18][19][20]
U.S. House of Representatives
2012 election
On October 21, 2011, Utah Policy wrote that Stewart was going to run for Congress in Utah's 2nd congressional district.[21] His formal announcement took place on December 6, 2011.[22][23] On April 21, 2012, he secured the Republican nomination.
Stewart won the race with 62% of the vote, defeating Jay Seegmiller, and took office on January 3, 2013.
Committee assignments
Legislation
Stewart has sponsored eight bills of his own, including:[24]
- H.R. 758, a bill to prohibit national parks and monuments in Utah from being expanded, introduced February 15, 2013
- H.R. 4682, a bill to allow individuals eligible for TRICARE to opt out of the program and be permitted to make payments to a health savings account in place of receiving coverage under TRICARE, introduced May 20, 2014
- H.R. 4934, a bill to prohibit all federal agencies, excluding the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and the Central Intelligence Agency, from purchasing and using firearms, and to direct the Inspector General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing aspects of these purchases by federal agencies, introduced June 23, 2014
- H.R. 5058, a bill to allow states and tribal governments to gain authority over all regulations pertaining to horses and burros on lands within their boundaries, introduced July 10, 2014
Stewart cosponsored the Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2013 (H.R. 2413; 113th Congress) and sponsored the substitute amendment which replaced the text of the original legislation. Stewart said the bill "prioritizes protection of public safety and forward-looking weather research, improves procurement of observing system data from space, air, and land, and opens up NOAA's process to encourage private sector weather solutions."[25]
Stewart is the sponsor of H.R. 1422, titled the "EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2014", which would reform the composition and activities of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) science advisory board. At least 10% of the members of the board would be required to be from state, local, or tribal governments. Corporate and industry experts would no longer be excluded from the board and board members would be prohibited from advising the EPA in discussions that cite their work. While the bill's supporters believe that it would increase transparency and balance in the EPA, critics argue that it "turns the idea of conflict of interest on its head" and would restrict scientists' ability to provide proper advice to the government.[26][27]
Bureau of Land Management Issues
In an interview regarding the Bundy standoff of April and May 2014, Stewart stated his opinion that the Bureau of Land Management could have avoided the standoff by allowing local sheriffs to intervene. Citing concerns about the level of weaponry carried by federal agents, he also sponsored a bill (H.R.4934) to demilitarize federal regulatory agencies.[28][29]
Electoral history
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Chris Stewart | 154,523 | 62% | Jay Seegmiller | 83,176 | 33% | Jonathan D. Garrard | Constitution | 5,051 | 2% | Joseph Andrade | Independent | 2,971 | 1% | Charles Kimball | Independent | 2,824 | 1% |
References
- ↑
- ↑ "Inside the List". The New York Times. 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris (2009). "Seven Miracles That Saved America". Shadow Mountain. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris (2011). "The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World". Shadow Mountain. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ Palmer, Douglas. "Mothers honored for the love and service they give families". Deseret News. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Awards". National Aeronautic Association. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Squadron Service 1985-2001". Targetlock. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ Bytheway, John (2009). "Supersonic Saints: Thrilling Stories from LDS Pilots". Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ "The Shipley Group". Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ "New Utah congressman sells his consulting business". Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris. "Shattered Bone". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Author Chris Stewart running for 2nd District seat". Deseret News. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Glenn Beck catapults The Miracle of Freedom to bestseller". Shadow Mountain. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Chris Stewart: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-11-12.
- ↑ Chris Stewart at Goodreads
- ↑ "Facts about Chris Stewart" (PDF). 7miracles.org. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Elizabeth Smart to finally publish her own version of her abduction". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
- ↑ Bloom, Claire (2006). "A Christmas Bell for Anya". Deseret Book.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris (2006). "A Christmas Bell for Anya". Shadow Mountain. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ Haddock, Sharon. "Patriotic author stresses sacrifice". Deseret News. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
- ↑ "Add Another Republican Name to the 2nd District Race". Utah Policy.
- ↑ Gehrke, Robert. "Two new candidates join GOP field for 2nd District". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ Montero, David. "Stewart launches bid with help of Bangerter, Hansen, Beck". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2013-09-02.
- ↑ "Representative Stewart's Legislation". The Library of Congress. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ Stewart, Chris (9 July 2013). "Statement of Environment Subcommittee Chairman Chris Stewart" (PDF). Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ↑ Marcos, Cristina (November 18, 2014). "House passes bill to reform EPA science panel". The Hill. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ "A letter from the Union of Concerned Scientists to the House of Representatives" (PDF). Union of Concerned Scientists. November 17, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- ↑ Glionna, John. "BLM, local law enforcement tensions near breaking point in the West". www.latimes.com. The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- ↑ "H.R.4934 - Regulatory Agency Demilitarization Act". June 23, 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ↑ "Election Results". Elections.Utah.gov. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
External links
- Congressman Chris Stewart
- Chris Stewart for Congress
- Chris Stewart at DMOZ
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jim Matheson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Utah's 2nd congressional district 2013–Present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by Kyrsten Sinema D-Arizona | United States Representatives by seniority 353rd |
Succeeded by Eric Swalwell D-California |
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