Michael Patrick Flanagan
| Michael Patrick Flanagan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 5th district | |
|
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Rostenkowski |
| Succeeded by | Rod Blagojevich |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 9, 1962 Chicago, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Loyola University Chicago (B.A., J.D.) |
Michael Patrick Flanagan (born November 9, 1962) is an American politician from Illinois, and a Republican. He served one term in the United States House of Representatives.
Early life and education
Flanagan, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, served in the United States Army from 1984 to 1988 (at Fort Sill, in Oklahoma, and at Fort Benning in Georgia), and 1991 to 1992 (during the Gulf War). He learned Greek at the Defense Language Institute. Flanagan is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago and Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
Political career
Flanagan was elected to represent the fifth district of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, defeating 18-term Congressman and former Ways and Means Committee chairman Dan Rostenkowski, becoming the first Republican to represent a significant portion of Chicago since 1967. Rostenkowski was under indictment during the election.[1][2]
While a member of Congress, Flanagan served on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Government Reform Committee, and the Joint Committee on Telecommunications. He had a conservative record in the House,[3] opposing abortion and gun control,[1] while supporting the death penalty.[1] He also condemned then-President Clinton's national healthcare plan for its government takeover of the healthcare system.[1]
While the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune both endorsed Flanagan for reelection in 1996, he was regarded as a heavy underdog against the Democratic challenger, State Representative Rod Blagojevich. As expected, the district reverted to form; Blagojevich soundly defeated Flanagan, and Bill Clinton easily carried the district. Flanagan's loss was one of the 12 seats first-term Republican candidates lost in the 1996 election. Proving just how Democratic this district was and still is, no Republican has tallied more than 35 percent of the vote since Flanagan left office.
Electoral history
| Year | Office | Winning Candidate | Party | Pct | Opponent | Party | Pct |
| 1994 | U.S. House | Michael Flanagan | Republican | 54% | Dan Rostenkowski (inc.) | Democrat | 46% |
| 1996 | U.S. House | Rod Blagojevich | Democrat | 64% | Michael Flanagan (inc.) | Republican | 36% |
After Congress
He is currently the president of Flanagan Consulting LLC in Washington D.C.,[4] and has been active in Illinois Boys State since 1979.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Langer, Adam (October 27, 1994). "Running Against Rosty". Chicago Reader. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ GOP Targets Dem 'Scandal Babies', by Will Schultz, Time.com, July 8, 2008. Accessed August 30, 2008.
- ↑ http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/democrats-who-voted-no
- ↑ Flanagan Consulting, LLC: Michael P. Flanagan, Flanagan Consulting LLP. Accessed August 30, 2008.
- ↑ 2008 Illinois Boys State Yearbook
External links
- United States Congress. "Michael Patrick Flanagan (id: F000187)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Michael P. Flanagan at Flanagan Consulting LLC
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Dan Rostenkowski |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 5th congressional district January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 |
Succeeded by Rod Blagojevich |