David Schweikert
Encyclopedia
David Schweikert is the U.S. Representative
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives (1991–1994), was chairman of the state Board of Equalization (1995–2004), and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer (2004–2007). He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives three times: losing a primary to J.D. Hayworth in 1994, losing the general election to incumbent Harry Mitchell
in 2008, and then defeating Mitchell in 2010.
with his adoptive parents and two adoptive siblings. He graduated from Saguaro High School
there (1980), then earned a BA
(finance and real estate, 1985) and MBA (2005) from the ASU
's W. P. Carey School of Business
.
Schweikert and his wife Joyce live in Fountain Hills where they run Sheridan Equities LLC, a real estate
business.
and Fountain Hills. He arrived in the wake of the AzScam scandal, and was a committee chairman as a freshman and majority whip in his second term. His consistently conservative record led Republican
colleagues to elevate him to Majority Whip. As chair of the State Board of Equalization, Schweikert was also responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in valuations and tax protests from Arizona citizens and businesses.
He ran in the September 13, 1994 primary for the Republican nomination in what was then the 6th congressional district. (It resembled the 5th district formed after the 2000 census, but also included Flagstaff
, and the Navajo reservation. The old 6th district, established in 1992, included almost all the northern part of Arizona: Apache
, Coconino
(part), Gila
, Graham
(part), Greenlee
, Maricopa
(part), Navajo
(part), and Pinal
(part) counties.) He came in second (45% to 21%) to J.D. Hayworth, who then defeated incumbent Karan English
in the general election.
After that defeat, he took time to reconsider. “I left feeling sorry for myself — I have all this campaign debt I have to pay for, I have to rebuild my business, I screwed up a relationship because I was running,” Schweikert said. He then left for a lengthy vacation, which included travel to Calcutta, the Philippines
, Myanmar
, Nepal
, Vietnam
, and Serbia
, and other destinations.
He is a former chairman of the Arizona State Board of Education. There was speculation in 1999 that Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull
might appoint Schweikert to the Arizona State Corporation Commission. He was appointed chairman of the Arizona State Board of Equalization, a full time job, where he served from 1995-2003. As chairman of the State Board of Equalization, Schweikert oversaw billions of dollars in valuations and tax protests from Arizona citizens and businesses.
of Maricopa County in 2004, and was elected Treasurer the same year. He resigned in 2007 to run for Congress again. In 2008 he lost by 10 percentage points, 53-43%, to Democrat Harry Mitchell
in congressional district 5. In 2010 he defeated the two term incumbent.
Schweikert won a six way Republican primary election
September 2, 2007 with 29.50% of the vote, compared to 27.38% for his nearest rival, Susan Bitter-Smith. He lost the general election
to freshman incumbent
Democrat
Harry Mitchell
, 43.57% to 53.16%.
Several organizations endorsed David Schweikert for the 2008 election, including the primary election: Club for Growth
, the Arizona Police Association, Arizona Right to Life
, and the Arizona Medical Association. Schweikert later blamed his defeat on the very bitter primary fight that preceded it.
He received more than a half-million dollars from the Club for Growth
.
He was endorsed by the Arizona Police Association, which includes Chandler
, Mesa
, and Tempe
law enforcement agencies, the Arizona Right to Life
, the Arizona Medical Association and the Citizens Against Government Waste
's political action committee
.
2010
Schweikert will again challenge Democratic incumbent Harry Mitchell
, with Libertarian Nick Coons also running. Schweikert won the Republican primary on August 24 with 29% of the vote. Early polling showed the race a dead heat, The Club for Growth
decided to again endorse Schweikert after having sat out the competitive primary election.
On November 2, 2010 Schweikert defeated two-term incumbent Congressman Harry Mitchell 52%-43%.
Schweikert argues that the state's immediate objective must be to secure the border against smuggling
and illegal immigration
. After it is "truly secure," lawmakers can proceed to establish a "common sense temporary guest worker program to enable businesses to obtain the employees they need." Additionally, Schweikert firmly opposes amnesty and "sanctuary cities."
Defense
Schweikert has said the government should make providing resources to national intelligence, the military and law enforcement a high priority.
Firearms
Schweikert opposes restrictions on gun ownership. He has received an "A" rating from both the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. Additionally, he was endorsed by the NRA in his 2010 election. . Schweikert voted in favor of the National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. This act requires all states, regardless of their own laws, to honor concealed carry permits from other states..
Spending
In November 2011, Schweikert wrote a letter to President Obama objecting to $70,000 spent by the State Department on books authored by Obama, asking the the President return the royalties. Embassies used the books as gratuity gifts and also to stock libraries in various countries. The White House was not involved in the buying.
Schweikert believes that economic prosperity hinges on balancing the federal budget and making "hard choices" on entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security..
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He previously served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives (1991–1994), was chairman of the state Board of Equalization (1995–2004), and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer (2004–2007). He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives three times: losing a primary to J.D. Hayworth in 1994, losing the general election to incumbent Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
in 2008, and then defeating Mitchell in 2010.
Early life, education, and business career
Schweikert grew up in ScottsdaleScottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
with his adoptive parents and two adoptive siblings. He graduated from Saguaro High School
Saguaro High School
Saguaro High School is a former A+ and Blue Ribbon Schools Program certified high schools of the Scottsdale Unified School District in Scottsdale, Arizona. Saguaro was opened in 1966....
there (1980), then earned a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(finance and real estate, 1985) and MBA (2005) from the ASU
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
's W. P. Carey School of Business
W. P. Carey School of Business
The W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University is one of the largest business schools in the United States, with over 250 faculty, and more than 1,500 graduate and 8,300 undergraduate students...
.
Schweikert and his wife Joyce live in Fountain Hills where they run Sheridan Equities LLC, a real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
business.
1990s
Schweikert was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives for District 28 in 1990, and reelected in 1992. He represented ScottsdaleScottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
and Fountain Hills. He arrived in the wake of the AzScam scandal, and was a committee chairman as a freshman and majority whip in his second term. His consistently conservative record led Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
colleagues to elevate him to Majority Whip. As chair of the State Board of Equalization, Schweikert was also responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in valuations and tax protests from Arizona citizens and businesses.
He ran in the September 13, 1994 primary for the Republican nomination in what was then the 6th congressional district. (It resembled the 5th district formed after the 2000 census, but also included Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
, and the Navajo reservation. The old 6th district, established in 1992, included almost all the northern part of Arizona: Apache
Apache County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*23.3% White*0.2% Black*72.9% Native American*0.3% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Coconino
Coconino County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*61.7% White*1.2% Black*27.3% Native American*1.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.1% Two or more races*5.2% Other races*13.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(part), Gila
Gila County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.8% White*0.4% Black*14.8% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.0% Two or more races*5.4% Other races*17.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Graham
Graham County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.1% White*1.8% Black*14.4% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.8% Two or more races*8.3% Other races*30.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(part), Greenlee
Greenlee County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*77.2% White*1.1% Black*2.3% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.8% Two or more races*15.0% Other races*47.9% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Maricopa
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(part), Navajo
Navajo County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*49.3% White*0.9% Black*43.4% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*3.3% Other races*10.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(part), and Pinal
Pinal County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.4% White*4.6% Black*5.6% Native American*1.7% Asian*0.4% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.8% Two or more races*11.5% Other races*28.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
(part) counties.) He came in second (45% to 21%) to J.D. Hayworth, who then defeated incumbent Karan English
Karan English
Karan English served in the U.S. House of Representatives of the 103rd United States Congress from 1993 to 1995....
in the general election.
After that defeat, he took time to reconsider. “I left feeling sorry for myself — I have all this campaign debt I have to pay for, I have to rebuild my business, I screwed up a relationship because I was running,” Schweikert said. He then left for a lengthy vacation, which included travel to Calcutta, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, and Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, and other destinations.
He is a former chairman of the Arizona State Board of Education. There was speculation in 1999 that Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull
Jane Dee Hull
Jane Dee Hull was the second woman to serve as Governor of Arizona, the first female Republican governor of the state, and the first woman to be elected to the position.-Biography:...
might appoint Schweikert to the Arizona State Corporation Commission. He was appointed chairman of the Arizona State Board of Equalization, a full time job, where he served from 1995-2003. As chairman of the State Board of Equalization, Schweikert oversaw billions of dollars in valuations and tax protests from Arizona citizens and businesses.
2000s
He was appointed Chief Deputy TreasurerTreasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
of Maricopa County in 2004, and was elected Treasurer the same year. He resigned in 2007 to run for Congress again. In 2008 he lost by 10 percentage points, 53-43%, to Democrat Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
in congressional district 5. In 2010 he defeated the two term incumbent.
Elections
2008Schweikert won a six way Republican primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
September 2, 2007 with 29.50% of the vote, compared to 27.38% for his nearest rival, Susan Bitter-Smith. He lost the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
to freshman incumbent
Incumbent
The incumbent, in politics, is the existing holder of a political office. This term is usually used in reference to elections, in which races can often be defined as being between an incumbent and non-incumbent. For example, in the 2004 United States presidential election, George W...
Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
, 43.57% to 53.16%.
Several organizations endorsed David Schweikert for the 2008 election, including the primary election: Club for Growth
Club for Growth
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...
, the Arizona Police Association, Arizona Right to Life
Right to life
Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being...
, and the Arizona Medical Association. Schweikert later blamed his defeat on the very bitter primary fight that preceded it.
He received more than a half-million dollars from the Club for Growth
Club for Growth
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...
.
He was endorsed by the Arizona Police Association, which includes Chandler
Chandler, Arizona
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2010, there were 236,123 people, 86,924 households, and 60,212 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 8.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 8.3%...
, Mesa
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, and Tempe
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2010 population of 161,719. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in the East Valley section of metropolitan Phoenix; it is bordered by Phoenix and Guadalupe on the west, Scottsdale...
law enforcement agencies, the Arizona Right to Life
Right to life
Right to life is a phrase that describes the belief that a human being has an essential right to live, particularly that a human being has the right not to be killed by another human being...
, the Arizona Medical Association and the Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste
Citizens Against Government Waste is a 501 non-profit organization in the United States. It functions as a think-tank, 'government watchdog', and advocacy group for fiscally conservative causes...
's political action committee
Political action committee
In the United States, a political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect political candidates or to advance the outcome of a political issue or legislation. Legally, what constitutes a "PAC" for purposes of regulation is a...
.
2010
Schweikert will again challenge Democratic incumbent Harry Mitchell
Harry Mitchell
Harry E. Mitchell is a former U.S. Representative who represented from 2007 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career :...
, with Libertarian Nick Coons also running. Schweikert won the Republican primary on August 24 with 29% of the vote. Early polling showed the race a dead heat, The Club for Growth
Club for Growth
The Club for Growth is a politically conservative 527 organization active in the United States of America, with an agenda focussed on taxation and other economic issues, and with an affiliated political action committee . The Club advocates lower taxes, limited government, less government spending,...
decided to again endorse Schweikert after having sat out the competitive primary election.
On November 2, 2010 Schweikert defeated two-term incumbent Congressman Harry Mitchell 52%-43%.
Tenure
ImmigrationSchweikert argues that the state's immediate objective must be to secure the border against smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
and illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
. After it is "truly secure," lawmakers can proceed to establish a "common sense temporary guest worker program to enable businesses to obtain the employees they need." Additionally, Schweikert firmly opposes amnesty and "sanctuary cities."
Defense
Schweikert has said the government should make providing resources to national intelligence, the military and law enforcement a high priority.
Firearms
Schweikert opposes restrictions on gun ownership. He has received an "A" rating from both the National Rifle Association and Gun Owners of America. Additionally, he was endorsed by the NRA in his 2010 election. . Schweikert voted in favor of the National Right-To-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. This act requires all states, regardless of their own laws, to honor concealed carry permits from other states..
Spending
In November 2011, Schweikert wrote a letter to President Obama objecting to $70,000 spent by the State Department on books authored by Obama, asking the the President return the royalties. Embassies used the books as gratuity gifts and also to stock libraries in various countries. The White House was not involved in the buying.
Schweikert believes that economic prosperity hinges on balancing the federal budget and making "hard choices" on entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security..
Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial ServicesUnited States House Committee on Financial ServicesThe United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
- Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises (Vice Chair)
- Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and TechnologyUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and TechnologyThe U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services...
- Republican Study CommitteeRepublican Study CommitteeThe Republican Study Committee [RSC] is a caucus of over 170 conservative members of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives...
External links
- Congressman David Schweikert official U.S. House site
- David Schweikert official campaign site
- Campaign contributions (2008) OpenSecrets.org
- Campaign contributions (2010) OpenSecrets.org