Tim Walberg

Tim Walberg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 7th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Mark Schauer
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Joe Schwarz
Succeeded by	Mark Schauer
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 57th district
In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Kevin Fisher
Succeeded by	Doug Spade
Personal details
Born	April 12, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Susan Walberg
Children	3
Alma mater	Western Illinois University, Macomb Moody Bible Institute Taylor University Wheaton College, Illinois
Religion	Protestantism

Timothy Lee "Tim" Walberg (born April 12, 1951) is an American politician and former pastor. A Republican, he has served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2011. He also represented the district from 2007 to 2009.

Early life, education, and early career

Walberg was born and educated in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Alice Ann and John A. Walberg. His paternal grandparents were Swedish.^[1] He left a post-high school position with the U.S. Forest Service to pursue higher education. At one point working in a steel mill to help pay tuition, he studied forestry at Western Illinois University and attended Moody Bible Institute, and completed his degree in 1975, when he earned a B.A. in religious education from Taylor University. By then Walberg was half-way through a four-year stint as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in New Haven, Indiana, which concluded when he enrolled in the Wheaton College graduate school. After receiving an M.A. in communications in 1978, Walberg and his young family relocated to Tipton, Michigan, where he led services at Union Gospel Church. He resigned his pastorship in 1982 in preparation for a successful bid for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Michigan legislature

Walberg served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1998. He was succeeded by Doug Spade and the seat is currently held by Dudley Spade, both Democrats. Walberg also spent time as a pastor and as a division manager for the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois while continuing to live in Michigan.^[2]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2004

After six years out of politics, Walberg ran in a field of six candidates in the 2004 Republican primary for the 7th District after six-term incumbent Nick Smith retired. Walberg finished third in the primary. State Senator Joe Schwarz won the primary and went on to win the general election.^[3]

2006

Walberg faced a rematch with incumbent Joe Schwarz in the 2006 Republican primary. Walberg defeated Schwarz in the primary.^[4]

In the general election, Walberg defeated Democrat Sharon Renier 50%–46%.^[5]

In 2007, there was a failed recall effort against Walberg.^[6][7][8]

2008

Entering the 2008 race, Walberg was identified by Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen as one of the most vulnerable Republican incumbents in Congress.^[9] On August 23, 2007, State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer announced he would challenge Walberg in the 2008 election.^[10] The prior occupant of the seat, Joe Schwarz, who was defeated by Walberg in the 2006 Republican primary, declined to run himself but on September 30 endorsed Schauer.^[11]

Schauer narrowly defeated Walberg in the November 2008 election, winning by a margin of 49% to 47%. Between the two candidates, around $3.5 million was spent on the campaign,^[12] making it one of the most expensive House races in the 2008 election. Schauer outspent Walberg by nearly $300,000.^[13]

2010

On July 14, 2009, Walberg announced that he would for his old congressional seat and challenge Democratic incumbent Mark Schauer.^[14] He defeated Marvin Carlson and Brian Rooney in the Republican primary.

Prior to the election, polling showed the race as a dead heat.^[15] Walberg defeated Schauer 50%–45%.^[16]

2012

Wahlberg defeated Democrat Kurt Haskell 53%–43%.^[17]

2014

Walberg defeated former Democratic State Representative Pam Byrnes in the general election with 54% of the vote.^[18]

2016

Walberg is running for re-election in 2016. He will face Doug North in the Republican primary on August 2, 2016. State Representative Gretchen Driskell is the lone Democrat to file for election.^[19]

Tenure

Walberg has voted repeatedly to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.^[20][21]

On July 23, 2014, Walberg introduced the Senior Executive Service Accountability Act, a bill that would give government agencies tools to remove executives in the Senior Executive Service for performance issues.^[22] In January 2016, the bill was referred to the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.^[23]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Workforce Protections (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
  • Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy
  • Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform

Walberg is a member of the Republican Study Committee, the Congressional Cement Caucus, and the Tea Party Caucus.

Electoral history

2004 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District Republican Primary

• Joe Schwarz (R), 28%
• Brad Smith (R), 22%
• Tim Walberg (R), 18%
• Clark Bisbee (R), 14%
• Gene DeRossett (R), 11%
• Paul DeWeese (R), 7%

2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District Republican Primary

• Tim Walberg (R), 33,144, 53%
• Joe Schwarz (R) (inc.), 29,349, 47%

2006 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District

• Tim Walberg (R), 49.93%
• Sharon Renier (D), 45.98%
• Robert Hutchinson (L), 1.55%
• David Horn (UST), 1.47%
• Joe Schwarz (write-in), 1.07%

2008 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District

• Mark Schauer (D), 48.79%^[24]
• Tim Walberg (R), 46.49%
• Lynn Meadows (G), 2.96%
• Ken Proctor (L), 1.76%

2010 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District

• Tim Walberg (R), 50.1%
• Mark Schauer (D), 45.4%
• Other, 4.5%

2012 election for the U.S. House of Representatives – 7th District

• Tim Walberg (R), 55.4%
• Kurt Haskell (D), 44.6%

Personal life

Tim and his wife Sue live in Tipton (near Tecumseh, Michigan), where they brought up their three now-adult children. Walberg's son Matthew works as a crime reporter for the Chicago Tribune.

References

1. "tim walberg". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
2. "Rep. Tim Walberg". The Arena. Politico. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
3. "2004 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
4. "Rep. Schwarz defeated in Michigan primary". NBC News. Associated Press. August 9, 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
5. "Statistics of the Congressional Election" (PDF). United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
6. Recall campaign launched against Walberg. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
7. "Judge rules against Walberg recall effort". The Ann Arbor News. Associated Press. 2007-08-29. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
8. Pelham, Dennis (2007-08-29). "Walberg recall over". The Daily Telegraph (Lenawee). Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
9. "Van Hollen's Top '08 Targets". National Journal. January 30, 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
10. Eggert, David (August 24, 2007). "Michigan Senate minority leader to challenge Walberg in 2008 race". The Argus-Press. Associated Press. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
11. "Schwarz endorses Democrat in race". MLive. Associated Press. September 30, 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
12. "Schauer declares victory in 7th District U.S. House race". Michigan Daily. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
13. Savage, Chris (September 26, 2009). "Eyeing A Comeback, Former Rep. Walberg Holds Health Care Town Halls". Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
14. Gautz, Chris (July 14, 2009). "Former Congressman Tim Walberg to challenge U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer for old seat". MLive. Jackson Citizen Patriot. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
15. "The Hill: Latest poll shows race between Mark Schauer, Tim Walberg a dead heat". Jackson Citizen Patriot. 2010-10-07.
16. "Michigan – Election Results 2010". New York Times. 2010-11-03.
17. "Michigan Congressional District 7 election results". NBC News. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
18. Forgrave, Will (November 5, 2014). "11 Tim Walberg keeps U.S. Congressional seat, Democrat Pam Byrnes concedes the 7th District". MLive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
19. Forgrave, Will (February 9, 2015). "65 Democratic state Rep. Gretchen Driskell announces bid for 7th Congressional seat in 2016". MLive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
20. Bob Wheaton (31 October 2012). "Rep. Tim Walberg would keep trying to repeal Obamacare". MLive.
21. Forgrave, Will (February 19, 2014). "Obamacare complaints aired at health-care forum hosted by U.S. Rep Tim Walberg". MLive. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
22. Chaffetz, Jason (April 27, 2015). "Federal Rules Support Incompetence". Politico. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
23. "H.R.4358 All Congressional Actions". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
24. "The Capitol Record Since 1906". Michigan State University. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2009.

External links

• Congressman Tim Walberg official U.S. House site
• Tim Walberg for Congress
• 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
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Tim Walberg at Ballotpedia