Mark E. Amodei
Encyclopedia
Mark E. Amodei is the Congressman for Nevada's second congressional district. Prior to that, Amodei was a Republican
member of the Nevada Senate
, representing the Capital District from 1998 to 2010. Previously he served in the Nevada Assembly
from 1997 through 1998. After public office as state Senator, he served as chairman of the Nevada Republican Party
until May 2011, when he stepped down in order to pursue the republican nomination for Congress. Amodei was the Republican candidate for the special election
held on September 13, 2011, to replace former Congressman and now Senator
Dean Heller
in Nevada's second congressional district.
in 1976, where he was student class president. He attended the University of Nevada
before enrolling at McGeorge Law School, where he received his J.D. in 1983.
When Amodei entered the U.S. Army, he had not yet passed the bar exam. So, he was assigned to an artillery
division
. Upon passing the bar, he became an Army JAG Corps officer prosecuting criminal matters, an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Post Judge Advocate. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Award. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to become an attorney.
, representing Carson City, the state capital. He was named the Outstanding Freshman Legislator.
In 1998, he was elected to the Nevada Senate to the Capital District. A few years later, he was selected to serve as the President pro tempore
of the Nevada State Senate. He has served on the Legislative Commission, Vice Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Public Health Care, Education Commission of the States, Public Lands committee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Legislative Oversight committee, Chairman of the Education Technology committee, and was a member of the Nevada Supreme Court's committee on Court Funding.
Senator Terry Care
, of a plan in 2003 to increase taxes in Nevada by $1 billion. The plan was offered as an alternative to governor Kenny Guinn
's tax plan, which called for over $1 billion in revenue increases. The final plan raised taxes by $873 million.
bill that would have changed Nevada's medical liability law. He was the only Republican Senator to vote against the bill.
, the Majority Leader. He dropped out before election day, as State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle
won the primary and lost the general election to Reid.
's seat the U.S. Senate, following Ensign's resignation from the position. Amodei announced his bid for the congressional seat in May 2011. The next month, he won the Republican nomination by taking 221 out of 323 ballots. In the primary, he defeated State Senator Greg Brower
, who received 56 votes, and prominent U.S. Navy Veteran Kirk Lippold
, who received 46 votes.
Amodei easily won the General election, defeating Democrat Kate Marshall
by a margin of 58% to 36%.
in the U.S. Navy.
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...
member of the Nevada Senate
Nevada Senate
The Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau...
, representing the Capital District from 1998 to 2010. Previously he served in the Nevada Assembly
Nevada Assembly
The Nevada Assembly is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Nevada. The body consists of 42 members, elected to two-year terms from single-member districts. Each Assembly district contained approximately 47,400 people as of the 2000 census, although...
from 1997 through 1998. After public office as state Senator, he served as chairman of the Nevada Republican Party
Nevada Republican Party
The Nevada Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Nevada. The Republican Party promotes the beliefs that individuals, not the government, make the best decisions. -History:...
until May 2011, when he stepped down in order to pursue the republican nomination for Congress. Amodei was the Republican candidate for the special election
Nevada's 2nd congressional district special election, 2011
On September 13, 2011, a special election was held in Nevada's 2nd congressional district to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Republican Dean Heller, who was appointed to the United States Senate....
held on September 13, 2011, to replace former Congressman and now Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Dean Heller
Dean Heller
Dean A. Heller is the junior United States Senator from Nevada and a member of the Republican Party. Heller was appointed by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to a vacant seat created by the resignation of John Ensign. He was previously a member of the United States House of Representatives,...
in Nevada's second congressional district.
Early life, education, and military service
Amodei graduated from Carson High SchoolCarson High School (Carson City, Nevada)
Carson High School is a high school in Carson City, Nevada, United States.- Staff :As of July 23, 2011, the principal of Carson High School is Ron Beck...
in 1976, where he was student class president. He attended the University of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
before enrolling at McGeorge Law School, where he received his J.D. in 1983.
When Amodei entered the U.S. Army, he had not yet passed the bar exam. So, he was assigned to an artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
. Upon passing the bar, he became an Army JAG Corps officer prosecuting criminal matters, an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Post Judge Advocate. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Award. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to become an attorney.
Nevada legislature
In 1996, he was elected to the Nevada AssemblyNevada Assembly
The Nevada Assembly is the lower house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Nevada. The body consists of 42 members, elected to two-year terms from single-member districts. Each Assembly district contained approximately 47,400 people as of the 2000 census, although...
, representing Carson City, the state capital. He was named the Outstanding Freshman Legislator.
In 1998, he was elected to the Nevada Senate to the Capital District. A few years later, he was selected to serve as the President pro tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
of the Nevada State Senate. He has served on the Legislative Commission, Vice Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Access to Public Health Care, Education Commission of the States, Public Lands committee, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Legislative Oversight committee, Chairman of the Education Technology committee, and was a member of the Nevada Supreme Court's committee on Court Funding.
2003 tax increase
Amodei was the co-author, with DemocraticDemocratic 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...
Senator Terry Care
Terry John Care
Terry John Care is a Democratic member of the Nevada Senate, representing Clark Country District 7 since 1999.-External links:* official government website* profile*Follow the Money - Terry John Care** campaign contributions...
, of a plan in 2003 to increase taxes in Nevada by $1 billion. The plan was offered as an alternative to governor Kenny Guinn
Kenny Guinn
Kenneth Carroll "Kenny" Guinn was an American businessman, educator and politician. He was the 27th Governor of Nevada from 1999 to 2007. He was a member of the Republican Party and a former member of the Democratic Party....
's tax plan, which called for over $1 billion in revenue increases. The final plan raised taxes by $873 million.
Collective bargaining
In 2009, Amodei supported a proposal to expand collect bargaining rights for state workers, whom he believed were unfairly treated during the budget process.Gas tax
In 2009, Amodei sponsored a bill that would have allowed for a gas tax increase in Washoe County; the plan gained public approval in an advisory vote.Medical liability reform
In 2003, Amodei voted against a tort reformTort reform
Tort reform refers to proposed changes in common law civil justice systems that would reduce tort litigation or damages. Tort actions are civil common law claims first created in the English commonwealth system as a non-legislative means for compensating wrongs and harm done by one party to...
bill that would have changed Nevada's medical liability law. He was the only Republican Senator to vote against the bill.
2010 run for U.S. Senate
Amodei ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate against Democrat Harry ReidHarry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, the Majority Leader. He dropped out before election day, as State Assemblywoman Sharron Angle
Sharron Angle
Sharron Elaine Angle is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Nevada Assembly from 1999 to 2007. She ran unsuccessfully as the 2010 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, garnering 45 percent of the vote...
won the primary and lost the general election to Reid.
U.S House of Representatives
2011 election
On September 13, 2011, Nevada's second Congressional district elected Amodei to replace Congressman Dean Heller. Heller had been appointed to fill John EnsignJohn Ensign
John Eric Ensign is a former United States Senator from Nevada, serving from January 2001 until he resigned amid an investigation of an ethics violation in May 2011...
's seat the U.S. Senate, following Ensign's resignation from the position. Amodei announced his bid for the congressional seat in May 2011. The next month, he won the Republican nomination by taking 221 out of 323 ballots. In the primary, he defeated State Senator Greg Brower
Greg Brower
Greg Brower is an attorney in private practice, a Senator in the Nevada Senate, former United States Attorney in the state of Nevada and a former member of the Nevada Assembly. He is a member of the Republican Party....
, who received 56 votes, and prominent U.S. Navy Veteran Kirk Lippold
Kirk Lippold
Commander Kirk S. Lippold, USN , was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole on October 12, 2000 when the ship was attacked and bombed by Al-Qaeda terrorists during a refueling stop in the Yemeni port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors...
, who received 46 votes.
Amodei easily won the General election, defeating Democrat Kate Marshall
Kate Marshall
Kate Marshall is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party. She is currently the Nevada State Treasurer.-Education and early career:...
by a margin of 58% to 36%.
Committee assignments
- Committee on the JudiciaryUnited States House Committee on the JudiciaryThe U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, also called the House Judiciary Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is charged with overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies and Federal law enforcement...
- Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the InternetUnited States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the InternetThe House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet is a subcommittee within the House Judiciary Committee. It was established in 2011.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland SecurityUnited States House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland SecurityThe House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security is a subcommittee within the House Judiciary Committee.-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet
- Committee on Veterans Affairs
- Subcommittee on Economic OpportunityUnited States House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic OpportunityThe United States Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity is one of the four subcommittees within the House Veterans' Affairs Committee.-Jurisdiction:From the House Rules:...
- Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
Electoral history
Political positions
According to his campaign website here is what he says he would support as U.S. Senator:- Reduce taxes
- Reform regulations
- Provide incentives
- Extend Bush tax cutsBush tax cutsThe Bush tax cuts refers to changes to the United States tax code passed during the presidency of George W. Bush and extended during the presidency of Barack Obama that generally lowered tax rates and revised the code specifying taxation in the United States...
- Cut spending
- Oppose government run health care
Personal life
Amodei has two daughters: Erin, a nursing student at Truckee Meadows Community College, and Ryanne,a physician trainer on the DaVinci Robotic Surgical Instrument and former engineerEngineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
in the U.S. Navy.
External links
- Congressman Mark Amodei official U.S. House site
- Amodei 4 Nevada official campaign site