Mike Fitzpatrick
Encyclopedia
Michael G. "Mike" Fitzpatrick (born June 28, 1963) is the U.S. Representative
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
. He was reelected to Congress in 2010, and previously represented the district from 2005 to 2007, but lost to Patrick Murphy
in 2006.
. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School, now Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, in Fairless Hills
. Mike moved down to Florida to attend St. Thomas University
with an academic scholarship where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1985 from the school's Honors Program. He then earned his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law
at Penn State University
. He was named Business Manager of the Dickinson Journal of International Law.
After graduating law school in 1988, Fitzpatrick was admitted to the practice of law at the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
and the Supreme Court of New Jersey. In 2000, he practiced at the United States Supreme Court.
judges. The appointment was made to fill the unexpired term of Mark Schweiker, who had been elected Lieutenant Governor
. Fitzpatrick, who was an attorney at a firm active in county affairs, was the candidate preferred by county Republican Party leaders. The appointment was not without controversy, however, as some claimed the judges had acted solely on the recommendation of the county Republican Party.
and the United States House Committee on Small Business
.
In May 2006, Fitzpatrick introduced the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006
, which requires most schools and libraries to actively restrict minors from access to "Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat Rooms."
In late July, the DOPA Act overwhelmingly passed the House. Speaking before the vote was taken, Fitzpatrick said, "The social networking sites have become, in a sense, a happy hunting ground for child predators".
. His term is scheduled to expire in January 2013.
unexpectedly withdrew from his re-election campaign. In the party convention held to select Greenwood's replacement on the ballot, the more conservative Fitzpatrick won the nomination over Greenwood's choice, state Senator Joe Conti, thanks to the backing of Bucks County Republican Party boss Harry Fawkes. Fitzpatrick went on to face liberal activist Virginia "Ginny" Schrader (something of a "sacrificial lamb candidate," chosen before Greenwood withdrew) in the general election. Fitzpatrick won the general election against Schrader 55.3%-44.3%, with the remaining vote split between two minor candidates. The Pennsylvania 8th District includes all of Bucks County, a sliver of Montgomery County
, and parts of two wards in Northeast Philadelphia
.
in the November general election of 2006.
In January 2006, Fitzpatrick said he had donated to charity the $21,500 he received from political action committees headed by U.S. Representatives Bob Ney
(R-OH), Tom DeLay
, (R-TX), and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA).
Fitzpatrick was endorsed by several environmental groups including the Sierra Club
. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman in Pennsylvania who had the support of the environmentalist lobby during this election.
The Cook Political Report
rated this race as "Leans Republican". However, Congressional Quarterly
rated this race as "Toss-up" (see Notable U.S. House elections, 2006 — Pennsylvania). An October 30, 2006 poll by Constituent Dynamics showed Fitzpatrick trailing Murphy 47% to 50% (http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/election_tags/pa_08).
On Election night, the votes between the two candidates were within 1%, with Fitzpatrick trailing by just over 1,500 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast.
On November 8, with all precincts reporting, Murphy led by 1,521 votes. Philadelphia television station NBC 10 later reported that Fitzpatrick had conceded the election to Murphy. He along with Mike Sodrel
(R-IN) and Joe Schwarz
(R-MI) were the only freshman Republicans to be defeated in 2006 (the latter albeit in a primary).
in the 142nd District
. Despite charges by some Democrats that he was "afraid to run against Murphy because he knows he would lose," Fitzpatrick claimed that he was interested in the job because of his "passion ... in solving local problems and serving the local community," as well as a desire to "change the way business is done in Harrisburg."
However, family health problems forced Fitzpatrick to end his bid for state representative in early February. Fitzpatrick yielded his spot on the ballot to Republican activist Frank Farry
(who went on to win the seat), and supported Doylestown
pharmaceutical company executive, Thomas Manion, for the congressional seat he once held.
in Middletown Township
, along with their six children.
Fitzpatrick is involved with the Boy Scouts of America
and is a member of the Temple Lower Bucks Hospital Board of Directors, the Conwell-Egan Catholic Board of Advisors, the Knights of Columbus
, the Levittown Bristol Kiwanis
Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians
and the Brehon Law Society. He is also an Eagle Scout
from the Bucks County Council
and former president of that council. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award
for his service.
Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2008. He reported in November 2008 that the cancer went into remission after chemotherapy.
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 was reelected to Congress in 2010, and previously represented the district from 2005 to 2007, but lost to Patrick Murphy
Patrick Murphy (politician)
Patrick Joseph Murphy is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in 2006.
Early life
Fitzpatrick was born and raised in Bucks countyBucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School, now Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, in Fairless Hills
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
Fairless Hills is a census-designated place in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 8,466 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. Mike moved down to Florida to attend St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University (Florida)
St. Thomas University is a private Roman Catholic university in the Miami, Florida, United States suburb of Miami Gardens.-History:The University traces its roots to the Universidad Católica de Santo Tomás de Villanueva, founded in 1946 in Havana, Cuba, named after Saint Thomas of Villanova, by...
with an academic scholarship where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in 1985 from the school's Honors Program. He then earned his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law
Dickinson School of Law
Penn State University Dickinson School of Law is the law school of The Pennsylvania State University...
at Penn State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
. He was named Business Manager of the Dickinson Journal of International Law.
After graduating law school in 1988, Fitzpatrick was admitted to the practice of law at the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the court of last resort for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It meets in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
and the Supreme Court of New Jersey. In 2000, he practiced at the United States Supreme Court.
County commissioner
In January 1995, Fitzpatrick was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners by an 11-member panel of countyBucks County, Pennsylvania
- Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by...
judges. The appointment was made to fill the unexpired term of Mark Schweiker, who had been elected Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
. Fitzpatrick, who was an attorney at a firm active in county affairs, was the candidate preferred by county Republican Party leaders. The appointment was not without controversy, however, as some claimed the judges had acted solely on the recommendation of the county Republican Party.
First term in the U.S. House of Representatives
Fitzpatrick served on the United States House Committee on Financial ServicesUnited States House Committee on Financial Services
The 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...
and the United States House Committee on Small Business
United States House Committee on Small Business
The United States House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives.-History:On December 4, 1941, the U. S...
.
In May 2006, Fitzpatrick introduced the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006
Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006
The Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006 is a bill brought before the United States House of Representatives on May 9, 2006 by Republican Pennsylvania Representative Mike Fitzpatrick...
, which requires most schools and libraries to actively restrict minors from access to "Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat Rooms."
In late July, the DOPA Act overwhelmingly passed the House. Speaking before the vote was taken, Fitzpatrick said, "The social networking sites have become, in a sense, a happy hunting ground for child predators".
Career between terms
After the loss to Murphy, Fitzpatrick re-entered the practice of law, taking a position with Middletown Township law firm—and major Republican Party contributor -- Begley, Carlin, and Mandio. In the fall of 2007, the Bucks County Commissioners asked Fitzpatrick, along with former Commissioner Andy Warren and former Common Pleas Judge William Hart Rufe to co-chair an effort to pass a ballot initiative authorizing the county to borrow $87 million for open space preservation. The initiative, which was also endorsed by Congressman Murphy, passed by a large margin.Return to the U.S. House of Representatives
On November 2, 2010, Fitzpatrick defeated Patrick Murphy to reclaim his old seat. He was sworn-in on January 5, 2011 and has joined the Republican Main Street PartnershipRepublican Main Street Partnership
The Republican Main Street Partnership is a group of moderate members of the United States Republican Party. They tend away from the dominant social conservatism of many Republicans and towards a moderate fiscal conservatism and limited government to a degree. The group is the rough equivalent of...
. His term is scheduled to expire in January 2013.
Swearing-in
On January 5, 2011, Fitzpatrick failed to attend the swearing-in ceremony for members because he was attending an alleged fundraiser in the Capitol Building, which is against the law. As a result, two votes that he cast prior to taking the oath were nullified. The oath was administered the following day. A spokesperson for Fitzpatrick denied the event was a fundraiser and asserted that donations made went to cover the cost of campaign-provided buses to Washington. Some Congressional ethics experts contend that the reception was in fact a fundraiser and have called for an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.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
- Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsThe U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services.-Jurisdiction:The Subcommittee conducts oversight of the agencies, departments, and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction...
(Vice Chair)
2004
In July 2004, popular moderate Republican Jim GreenwoodJames C. Greenwood
James Charles "Jim" Greenwood is an American politician in the Republican Party. He represented Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District for six terms in the United States House of Representatives....
unexpectedly withdrew from his re-election campaign. In the party convention held to select Greenwood's replacement on the ballot, the more conservative Fitzpatrick won the nomination over Greenwood's choice, state Senator Joe Conti, thanks to the backing of Bucks County Republican Party boss Harry Fawkes. Fitzpatrick went on to face liberal activist Virginia "Ginny" Schrader (something of a "sacrificial lamb candidate," chosen before Greenwood withdrew) in the general election. Fitzpatrick won the general election against Schrader 55.3%-44.3%, with the remaining vote split between two minor candidates. The Pennsylvania 8th District includes all of Bucks County, a sliver of Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
, and parts of two wards in Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia, nicknamed Northeast Philly, the Northeast and the Great Northeast, is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 2000 Census, the Northeast has a sizable percentage of the city's 1.547 million people — a population of between 300,000 and 450,000,...
.
2006
Fitzpatrick faced Democrat Patrick MurphyPatrick Murphy (politician)
Patrick Joseph Murphy is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in the November general election of 2006.
In January 2006, Fitzpatrick said he had donated to charity the $21,500 he received from political action committees headed by U.S. Representatives Bob Ney
Bob Ney
Robert William Ney is an American politician from the U.S. state of Ohio. A Republican, Ney represented Ohio's 18th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 until November 3, 2006, when he resigned...
(R-OH), Tom DeLay
Tom DeLay
Thomas Dale "Tom" DeLay is a former member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1984 until 2006. He was Republican Party House Majority Leader from 2003 to 2005, when he resigned because of criminal money laundering charges in...
, (R-TX), and Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA).
Fitzpatrick was endorsed by several environmental groups including the Sierra Club
Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
. He was the only incumbent Republican congressman in Pennsylvania who had the support of the environmentalist lobby during this election.
The Cook Political Report
Cook Political Report
The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
rated this race as "Leans Republican". However, Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
rated this race as "Toss-up" (see Notable U.S. House elections, 2006 — Pennsylvania). An October 30, 2006 poll by Constituent Dynamics showed Fitzpatrick trailing Murphy 47% to 50% (http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/election_tags/pa_08).
On Election night, the votes between the two candidates were within 1%, with Fitzpatrick trailing by just over 1,500 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast.
On November 8, with all precincts reporting, Murphy led by 1,521 votes. Philadelphia television station NBC 10 later reported that Fitzpatrick had conceded the election to Murphy. He along with Mike Sodrel
Mike Sodrel
Michael E. "Mike" Sodrel served as the United States Representative from the Ninth Congressional district of Indiana, representing the Republican Party, for one term from 2004. Sodrel's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was his first public office. Sodrel launched another run against...
(R-IN) and Joe Schwarz
Joe Schwarz
John J. H. "Joe" Schwarz, M.D. , an independent politician from Michigan, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as a moderate Republican...
(R-MI) were the only freshman Republicans to be defeated in 2006 (the latter albeit in a primary).
2008
Throughout 2007, there was much speculation that Fitzpatrick would seek to reclaim the seat in Congress that he lost to Murphy. Fitzpatrick laid the rumors to rest in January, 2008 by announcing that he would not be running for Congress, but instead would challenge freshman state Representative Chris KingChris King (politician)
Christopher J. King was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who represented the 142nd District from 2007 to 2008....
in the 142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 142
The 142nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Bucks County and includes the following areas:*Hulmeville*Langhorne*Langhorne Manor*Lower Southampton Township ** District East...
. Despite charges by some Democrats that he was "afraid to run against Murphy because he knows he would lose," Fitzpatrick claimed that he was interested in the job because of his "passion ... in solving local problems and serving the local community," as well as a desire to "change the way business is done in Harrisburg."
However, family health problems forced Fitzpatrick to end his bid for state representative in early February. Fitzpatrick yielded his spot on the ballot to Republican activist Frank Farry
Frank Farry
Frank Farry was elected to represent the 142nd Legislative District in November 2008. He has been appointed to serve on the House Consumer Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, Labor Relations, Urban Affairs, and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committees.-Career:Before his election to...
(who went on to win the seat), and supported Doylestown
Doylestown Township, Pennsylvania
Doylestown Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 17,565 at the 2010 census. Adjacent to the county seat, many county offices and the county correctional facility are located in this township.-Geography:...
pharmaceutical company executive, Thomas Manion, for the congressional seat he once held.
2010
On January 23, 2010, Fitzpatrick announced he would once again run for Congress in November. He won the Republican nomination with 77% of the vote in the May primary. A Franklin and Marshall poll taken in mid-September 2010 suggested the race was leaning towards Fitzpatrick at that time. On November 2, Fitzpatrick defeated Murphy and was elected the Congressman for the 8th district.Personal life
Fitzpatrick and his wife Kathleen, a former teacher, reside in LevittownLevittown, Pennsylvania
Levittown is a census-designated place and planned community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The population was 52,983 at the 2010 census. It is above sea level...
in Middletown Township
Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
Middletown Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 45,436 at the 2010 census. Many sections of Levittown, Pennsylvania, are located in the southern end of the township...
, along with their six children.
Fitzpatrick is involved with the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
and is a member of the Temple Lower Bucks Hospital Board of Directors, the Conwell-Egan Catholic Board of Advisors, the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
, the Levittown Bristol Kiwanis
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians
Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836...
and the Brehon Law Society. He is also an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
from the Bucks County Council
Scouting in Pennsylvania
Scouting in Pennsylvania has a long and rich tradition, from 1908 to the present day, serving thousands of youth in programs that suit the environment in which they live.-Early history :...
and former president of that council. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award
Silver Beaver Award
The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council...
for his service.
Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2008. He reported in November 2008 that the cancer went into remission after chemotherapy.
External links
- Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick official U.S. House site
- Mike Fitzpatrick for U.S. Congress official campaign site