Jump to content

Aaron Schock: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 54: Line 54:


==Congressional career==
==Congressional career==
Schock requested and was given three committee assignments, which is unusual for a first-term congressman.<ref name="LAT-TMZ"/><ref name="profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-aaron-schock_monapr06,0,2976062.story |title=Rep. Aaron Schock: 'Hottest freshman' in Congress pushes beyond his media-friendly profile |date=April 5, 2009 |accessdate=2009-04-28 |publisher=''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' |author=Oliphant, James}}</ref> In addition, he was appointed by [[Party whips of the United States House of Representatives|Minority Whip]] [[Eric Cantor]] to be a deputy minority whip.<ref name="LAT-TMZ"/> He serves as [[Ranking Member]] of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology of the Small Business Committee. Soon after being sworn in, he joined the [[Republican Study Committee]].<ref name="profile"/>
Schock requested and was given three committee assignments, which is unusual for a first-term congressman.<ref name="LAT-TMZ"/><ref name="profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-aaron-schock_monapr06,0,2976062.story |title=Rep. Aaron Schock: 'Hottest freshman' in Congress pushes beyond his media-friendly profile |date=April 5, 2009 |accessdate=2009-04-28 |publisher=''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' |author=Oliphant, James}}</ref> In addition, he was appointed by [[Party whips of the United States House of Representatives|Minority Whip]] [[Eric Cantor]] to be a deputy minority whip.<ref name="LAT-TMZ"/> Cantor has been accused of parading around an inexperienced, young face in an attempt to garner more support from the Millenial Generation. So far this strategy is untested. He serves as [[Ranking Member]] of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology of the Small Business Committee. Soon after being sworn in, he joined the [[Republican Study Committee]].<ref name="profile"/>


===Committee assignments===
===Committee assignments===

Revision as of 15:37, 15 June 2009

Aaron Schock
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 18th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2009
Preceded byRay LaHood
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 92nd district
In office
2005 – January 3, 2009
Preceded byRicca Slone
Succeeded byJoan Krupa[1]
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Peoria, Illinois
Alma materBradley University
Websiteschock.house.gov

Aaron Jon Schock (born May 28, 1981, Morris, Minnesota) is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 18th district of Illinois. The district is based in Peoria and also includes part of Springfield. It includes much of the territory Abraham Lincoln represented during his one term in the House.

Prior to his election, Schock was a school board member in Illinois and later president of the board.[2] Schock was the youngest member of the Illinois House of Representatives and has assumed this position again as the youngest member of the U.S. House in the 111th Congress. Schock is also the first member of the United States Congress born in the 1980s.

Early years

Schock was born in Morris, Minnesota on May 28, 1981,[2][4][5] and lived nearby until fifth grade. His father was a physician in Morris.[6] The family eventually moved to Peoria.

According to the Washington Post, Schock grew up on a farm with his brother and two sisters.[5] He graduated from Peoria's Richwoods High School.

Schock's political career began because of his challenge of his local school board for the right to graduate early [7]. In 2001, Schock was elected a member of the Peoria Public Schools District 150 school board at the age of 19, making him the youngest person serving on a school board in Illinois.[5][6] As a write-in candidate, he defeated the incumbent school board president, Rhonda Hunt by 235 votes.[citation needed] After two years on the board, his fellow board members elected him vice president of the board, and a year later, unanimously elected him school board president, making him, at 23, the youngest school board president in history, according to his campaign web site.[8]

Schock received his Bachelor of Science degree from Bradley University[2] in 2002[5][8]

At the age of 22, Schock ran for state representative in his district and defeated Ricca Slone, an eight-year incumbent Democrat, making him the youngest member of the Illinois House of Representatives.[6][8] In his first five months in office, Schock was able to work 11 of the bills he authored to passage, and got 18 bills he sponsored passed since taking office. These bills dealt with a series of education reforms, several child protection initiatives, prescription drug savings, veterans' assistance, road construction, and a bill to combat high-tech identity theft, the first of its kind in the nation.[citation needed] He was handily reelected in 2006, despite representing a heavily Democratic district.

2008 congressional campaign

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois, 2008

Schock, who succeeded retiring incumbent Republican Congressman Ray LaHood, defeated Democrat Colleen Callahan and Green Party candidate Sheldon Schafer in the 2008 general. The head of the Illinois Republican Party noted Schock's ability to win despite Illinois' Barack Obama riding to victory on the same ballot and the state Republican Party's receiving no financial support from the national party.[9]

In his speech announcing his candidacy for Congress, Schock suggested that the U.S. sell nuclear weapons to Taiwan if the People's Republic of China failed to follow U.S. policy in Iran,[10] saying "Non-proliferation will either be enforced universally or not at all — it is their choice. The Chinese will come around, I have no doubt."[11] He later rescinded his statement.[10]

Schock easily won the Republican primary in February 2008, with 72% of the vote, beating his opponents Jim McConoughey (16%) and John Morris (12%).[12][13]

Schock drew mixed reaction in late July 2008 when he brought President George W. Bush to Peoria to raise money for the congressional campaign. The city of Peoria provided 38 police officers, 30 city trucks for temporary security barriers, and a number of firefighters, spending $38,252 to facilitate the visit, even though it was a private, paid-admission fundraiser. When requests to compensate the city increased, Schock called it "obviously a political move" and compared the issue to Barack Obama's endorsement of another state senator on the courthouse steps a few years before, which the city did not request compensation for.[14] A city councilman cited an ordinance against political activity by the city, but the mayor of Peoria said the ordinance didn't apply, and also called the requests "political rhetoric". Schock later said he would reimburse the city voluntarily, referring to payment for presidential protection as "unprecedented".[15]

Schock won the November 4 general election with 59% of the vote.[16] Upon taking his seat in Congress, at the age of 27, he became the youngest member of Congress, supplanting 33-year-old Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina,[17] and the first member of the United States Congress born in the 1980s.[18] On taking office, he also became only the fifth person to serve the district since 1933.

In the same election, Democrat Jehan A. Gordon won Schock's 92nd Representative District seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. However, on Schock's advice, the Republican Party appointed Joan Krupa to fill out the 9 remaining days on Schock's state legislative term before Gordon took office.[1]

Congressional career

Schock requested and was given three committee assignments, which is unusual for a first-term congressman.[19][20] In addition, he was appointed by Minority Whip Eric Cantor to be a deputy minority whip.[19] Cantor has been accused of parading around an inexperienced, young face in an attempt to garner more support from the Millenial Generation. So far this strategy is untested. He serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology of the Small Business Committee. Soon after being sworn in, he joined the Republican Study Committee.[20]

Committee assignments

Political positions

Schock is considered to be more conservative than his two moderate[21] predecessors, Congressmen Bob Michel and Ray LaHood.[22][23] The Chicago Tribune has described Schock's political positions to be fiscally conservative and somewhat moderate on social issues.[24]

On April 29, 2009, Schock voted against amending federal hate crimes laws to include crimes where the victims were targeted on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability.[25] Schock also opposes same-sex marriage and allowing gays to serve in the military.[26][failed verification]

Media treatment

Schock has received an unusual amount of coverage for a freshman congressman.[19] This treatment is based in part on his youth and physical appearance, and in part on his work ethic.[19] An example of the former is a February 4, 2009 reader poll on the The Huffington Post, in which Schock was selected "hottest [incoming] freshman" congressperson.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b "State Representative Joan Krupa". WEEK-TV. East Peoria, Illinois: Granite Broadcasting. 2009-01-13. Retrieved 2009-03-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e United States Congress. "Aaron Schock (id: S001179)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.Template:Accessdate
  3. ^ "Aaron's Story". Aaron Schock for Congress. Schock for Congress. 2008-02-02. p. 4. Retrieved 2008-10-21. Aaron Schock is an active member of Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria.
  4. ^ Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election CommissionTemplate:Accessdate
  5. ^ a b c d "Aaron Schock (R)". Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-07. Note that the Post article also claims Schock was "born in Peoria".
  6. ^ a b c "Election '08 In Review: Former Morris resident becomes youngest U.S. House Representative". Morris Sun Tribune. Morris, Minnesota: Forum Communications Company. 2008-11-08. Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2008-12-25. Schock was born in Morris and lived in the area until the fifth grade. His father is Dr. Rich Schock, who practiced at Stevens Community Medical Center. Schock still has family in the Morris area, including his grandfather, Albert Joos, of Hancock.
  7. ^ "Congressman Aaron Schock on the Today Show".
  8. ^ a b c "Biography". Aaron Schock for Congress. Schock for Congress. 2007-12-12. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
  9. ^ McDonald, Karen (2008-11-05). "Schock could be next 'poster child' for GOP, LaHood says". Peoria Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  10. ^ a b Riopell, Mike (2008-10-04). "Shock, Callahan hope to show differences in debate". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, Illinois.
  11. ^ "Aaron Schock, Fighting Non-proliferation with Proliferation" (2007-11-08), using the The State Journal-Register as its source. Retrieved on 2008-10-21.
  12. ^ "Illinois Primary Results". National Republican Congressional Committee. 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  13. ^ McDonald, Karen (2008-02-06). "Schock claims victory". Peoria Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  14. ^ "Talking Point for Sept. 26: Aaron Schock says demanding repayment of an estimated $38,000 in city costs for President George W. Bush's visit is just politics". Peoria Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  15. ^ Sampier, Kevin (2008-09-30). "Schock to repay city for costs of Bush visit". Peoria Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  16. ^ "Elections". WEEK News 25 website. Granite Broadcasting. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 100% of precincts reporting. Unframed data at [1].
  17. ^ McDonald, Karen (2008-11-05). "Schock rolls in 18th Congressional District". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
  18. ^ James, Randy (2009-01-08). "The First Gen Y Congressman". TIME. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  19. ^ a b c d "Aaron Schock, GOP's fresh face, mixes TMZ and House committees". LA Times. April 5, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ a b Oliphant, James (April 5, 2009). "Rep. Aaron Schock: 'Hottest freshman' in Congress pushes beyond his media-friendly profile". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2009-04-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Broder, David S. (October 2, 2007). "A Setback For Civility". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2009-04-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Cassidy, Peggy (February 27, 2009). "State Pol Sends Schock Waves Through D.C." nbcchicago.com. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  23. ^ Nave, R.L. (October 2, 2008). "Kid Schock". Illinois Times. Retrieved 2009-04-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ "For Congress". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-28. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 223". United States House of Representatives. April 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  26. ^ "Schock and awe: The GOP's young secret weapon?". CNN, Washington. May 12, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  27. ^ "Aaron Schock: HuffPost Readers Elect Republican Congressman "Hottest Freshman"". The Huffington Post. February 4, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

Template:111th Congress Freshman

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 18th congressional district
2009–Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Honorary titles
Preceded by Baby of the United States House of Representatives
2009-Present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Aaron_Schock&oldid=296559214"