Thad McCotter
Encyclopedia
Thaddeus George "Thad" McCotter (born August 22, 1965) is the U.S. Representative to , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party
. From July 2 to September 21, 2011, he was an official candidate for the Republican nomination for president in the 2012 election
.
and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School
, Redford in 1983. His mother, Georgia Joan McCotter, was the City Clerk of Livonia. He received a B.A.
from the University of Detroit in 1987 and a J.D.
from the same school in 1990.
McCotter had a private law practice before being elected to the Wayne County
Commission in 1992. While on the Commission, he helped change the county charter to require that new taxes win the approval of two-thirds of the Commission and 60% of voters in order to be passed.
Shortly before the midterm elections in November 2006, McCotter made a $250,000 contribution to the National Republican Congressional Committee
. After the elections, when the Republicans had become the minority party in the House of Representatives, McCotter sought the Chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee
. The other Republican
seeking the post was Congressman Darrell Issa
of southern California. In late 2006, McCotter was selected by the House Republican Caucus to head the Republican Policy Committee.
and the conservative Republican Study Committee
.
In May 2007, McCotter, along with 55 other Republicans, voted for a bill, written by House Democrats, aimed at stopping energy price gouging
. This was done against the wishes of House Minority Leader John Boehner
, who labeled the bill "as pointless political pandering
".
McCotter has been an avid supporter of the United States' involvement in both the War in Afghanistan
and the Iraq War. In his 2011 book Seize Freedom!, he wrote that the two wars "were never separate wars; they have always been battle theaters in the War for Freedom."
On September 22, 2008, McCotter became the first Republican in the House of Representatives to oppose the $700 billion Paulson bailout plan, calling it "American socialism." A week later, he and 132 other Republicans voted against the bill.
At the end of July 2009 McCotter introduced a bill to allow pet owners a $3500 tax deduction for pet care costs. The bill, called the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, was criticized by Howard Gleckman of the Tax Policy Center
as "the poster puppy for all that is wrong with the tax code."
McCotter has supported a variety of union
-friendly measures such as collective bargaining agreements for government jobs and card check
.
.
nominee John Tatar, and U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee Charles Tackett, met for the only time for a taped League of Women Voters
forum in mid-October. In radio and direct mail advertisements, McCotter criticized Trupiano's position on illegal immigration
. McCotter won re-election with 55 per cent of the vote.
for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan up for election in 2012, but in May 2011, he announced that he would not campaign for the position. After ending his bid for President, McCotter announced that he would seak the seat once more.
. By late June, sources indicated that McCotter would enter the race.
On June 23, 2011, a McCotter representative bid $18,000 for a plot of land at the Ames Straw Poll
Auction in Iowa
.
On July 1, 2011, McCotter announced that he had filed with the Federal Election Commission
(FEC) as a Republican candidate for President.
On July 2, 2011, McCotter formally announced his candidacy at a rock music festival in Whitmore Lake, Michigan
, outside of Detroit.
Throughout his campaign, many commentators suggested that McCotter's lack of recognition nationwide would hamper his chances of winning the nomination, and McCotter received less than one percent in opinion polls. On September 22, 2011, McCotter announced he was ending his campaign for the presidential nomination, suggesting that his not having access to presidential debates hindered his campaign. McCotter stated that he would endorse Mitt Romney
. McCotter called his termination of his campaign "death by media" and stated he may run again for his congressional district
in 2012
.
McCotter was once in a band called the New Flying Squirrels.
," a bipartisan rock
and country
band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season. He plays lead guitar
. In June 2006, the band played for President Bush's
Picnic on the White House lawn, where Bush was quoted calling McCotter "that rock and roll dude."
television show Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
.
McCotter is also a regular guest on Dennis Miller
's radio show, where the comedian-host refers to him as "young Thad" and "T-Mac" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of [his] jib."
In June 2011, McCotter appeared on the Fox News Channel
show Huckabee
, where he performed in a musical number with his guitar.
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...
. From July 2 to September 21, 2011, he was an official candidate for the Republican nomination for president in the 2012 election
Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012
The 2012 Republican presidential primaries are the selection processes in which voters of the Republican Party will choose their nominee for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election. The primary contest began with a fairly wide field, and is the first presidential primary...
.
Early life, education, and career
McCotter was born in Livonia, MichiganLivonia, Michigan
Livonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 96,942 at the 2010 census, making it Michigan's 9th largest...
and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School is a private, Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school in Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is operated by the Congregation of St. Basil...
, Redford in 1983. His mother, Georgia Joan McCotter, was the City Clerk of Livonia. He received a B.A.
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...
from the University of Detroit in 1987 and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the same school in 1990.
McCotter had a private law practice before being elected to the Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
Commission in 1992. While on the Commission, he helped change the county charter to require that new taxes win the approval of two-thirds of the Commission and 60% of voters in order to be passed.
Michigan State Senate
McCotter was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 1998. As a State Senator, he helped apportion the U.S. Congressional district from which he was elected in 2002.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, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer CreditThe U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services.-Jurisdiction:...
- Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and TradeUnited States House Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and TradeThe United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Financial Services...
Party leadership and caucus memberships
- Congressional COPD Caucus
- House Sovereignty Caucus (Co-Founder)
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Republican House Policy Committee (Chairman)
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Shortly before the midterm elections in November 2006, McCotter made a $250,000 contribution to the National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Congressional Committee
The National Republican Congressional Committee is the Republican Hill committee which works to elect Republicans to the United States House of Representatives....
. After the elections, when the Republicans had become the minority party in the House of Representatives, McCotter sought the Chairmanship of the House Republican Policy Committee
Steering and Policy Committee of the United States House of Representatives
In the United States House of Representatives, the House Democratic Caucus includes a Steering and Policy Committee. Its primary purpose is to assign fellow party members to other House committees, and it also advises party leaders on policy...
. The other 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...
seeking the post was Congressman Darrell Issa
Darrell Issa
Darrell Edward Issa is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 48th, serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was formerly a CEO of Directed Electronics, the Vista, California-based manufacturer of automobile security and convenience products...
of southern California. In late 2006, McCotter was selected by the House Republican Caucus to head the Republican Policy Committee.
Political positions
McCotter is a member of both the moderate 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...
and the conservative Republican Study Committee
Republican Study Committee
The Republican Study Committee [RSC] is a caucus of over 170 conservative members of the Republican Party in the United States House of Representatives...
.
In May 2007, McCotter, along with 55 other Republicans, voted for a bill, written by House Democrats, aimed at stopping energy price gouging
Price gouging
Price gouging is a pejorative term referring to a situation in which a seller prices goods or commodities much higher than is considered reasonable or fair. In precise, legal usage, it is the name of a crime that applies in some of the United States during civil emergencies...
. This was done against the wishes of House Minority Leader John Boehner
John Boehner
John Andrew Boehner is the 61st and current Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, he is the U.S. Representative from , serving since 1991...
, who labeled the bill "as pointless political pandering
Pandering (politics)
Pandering is the act of expressing one's views in accordance with the likes of a group to which one is attempting to appeal. The term is most notably associated with politics...
".
McCotter has been an avid supporter of the United States' involvement in both the War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
and the Iraq War. In his 2011 book Seize Freedom!, he wrote that the two wars "were never separate wars; they have always been battle theaters in the War for Freedom."
On September 22, 2008, McCotter became the first Republican in the House of Representatives to oppose the $700 billion Paulson bailout plan, calling it "American socialism." A week later, he and 132 other Republicans voted against the bill.
At the end of July 2009 McCotter introduced a bill to allow pet owners a $3500 tax deduction for pet care costs. The bill, called the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, was criticized by Howard Gleckman of the Tax Policy Center
Tax Policy Center
The Tax Policy Center is a non-partisan joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution. Based in Washington D.C., it aims to provide independent analyses of current and longer-term tax issues and to communicate its analyses to the public and to policymakers in a timely and...
as "the poster puppy for all that is wrong with the tax code."
McCotter has supported a variety of union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
-friendly measures such as collective bargaining agreements for government jobs and card check
Card check
Card check is a method for American employees to organize into a labor union in which a majority of employees in a bargaining unit sign authorization forms, or "cards," stating they wish to be represented by the union...
.
2002
McCotter was elected in November 2002 to the 108th Congress108th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eighth United States Congress was the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 2003 to January 3, 2005, during the third and fourth years of George W. Bush's...
.
2006
McCotter did not have a primary opponent for the 2006 Republican primary. His opponent in the November 2006 general election was Democrat Tony Trupiano, a progressive radio talk show host from Dearborn Heights. McCotter, Trupiano, Libertarian PartyLibertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
nominee John Tatar, and U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee Charles Tackett, met for the only time for a taped League of Women Voters
League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
forum in mid-October. In radio and direct mail advertisements, McCotter criticized Trupiano's position on illegal immigration
Illegal immigration to the United States
An illegal immigrant in the United States is an alien who has entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa....
. McCotter won re-election with 55 per cent of the vote.
2008
In November 2008, McCotter defeated Democrat Joseph Larkin, Green Party candidate Erik Shelley, and Libertarian John Tatar. McCotter won 51 percent of the vote to Larkin's 45 percent.2010
In November 2010, McCotter easilly defeated Democrat Natalie Mosher. McCotter won 59 percent of the vote to Mosher's 39 percent.Congressional campaign
In April 2011, McCotter was the only member of Michigan's 15-member congressional delegation who did not confirm he was running for re-election. He indicated interest in running against incumbent Senator Debbie StabenowDebbie Stabenow
Deborah Ann Greer "Debbie" Stabenow is the junior United States Senator from Michigan and a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to the U.S. Senate, she was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 8th congressional district from 1997 to 2001...
for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan up for election in 2012, but in May 2011, he announced that he would not campaign for the position. After ending his bid for President, McCotter announced that he would seak the seat once more.
Presidential campaign
In May 2011, McCotter confirmed that he was considering a run for the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States in 2012United States presidential election, 2012
The United States presidential election of 2012 is the next United States presidential election, to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. It will be the 57th quadrennial presidential election in which presidential electors, who will actually elect the President and the Vice President of the United...
. By late June, sources indicated that McCotter would enter the race.
On June 23, 2011, a McCotter representative bid $18,000 for a plot of land at the Ames Straw Poll
Ames Straw Poll
The Ames Straw Poll is a presidential straw poll taken by Iowa Republicans. It occurs in Ames, Iowa on the campus of Iowa State University, on a Saturday in August of years in an election cycle in which the Republican presidential nomination seems to be undecided...
Auction in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
.
On July 1, 2011, McCotter announced that he had filed with the Federal Election Commission
Federal Election Commission
The Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
(FEC) as a Republican candidate for President.
On July 2, 2011, McCotter formally announced his candidacy at a rock music festival in Whitmore Lake, Michigan
Whitmore Lake, Michigan
Whitmore Lake is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community spans the boundary between Green Oak Township in Livingston County and Northfield Township in Washtenaw County. The United States Census Bureau has defined a census-designated place with this name for...
, outside of Detroit.
Throughout his campaign, many commentators suggested that McCotter's lack of recognition nationwide would hamper his chances of winning the nomination, and McCotter received less than one percent in opinion polls. On September 22, 2011, McCotter announced he was ending his campaign for the presidential nomination, suggesting that his not having access to presidential debates hindered his campaign. McCotter stated that he would endorse Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
. McCotter called his termination of his campaign "death by media" and stated he may run again for his congressional district
Michigan's 11th congressional district
Michigan's 11th congressional district is a United States Congressional District located just northwest of Detroit, consisting of northwestern Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties...
in 2012
United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections will be held on November 6, 2012. Elections will be held for all 435 seats, representing the 50 U.S. states. Elections will also be held for the delegates from the District of Columbia and five major U.S. territories.The winners of this...
.
Books written
- Seize Freedom!: American Truths and Renewal in a Chaotic Age, Intercollegiate Studies InstituteIntercollegiate Studies InstituteThe Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Inc., or ', is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1953 as the Intercollegiate Society of Individualists...
, 2011
Personal life
McCotter is a practicing Catholic. He is married to the former Rita Michel, a nurse. They have three children.McCotter was once in a band called the New Flying Squirrels.
"Second Amendments" band
In December 2005, McCotter joined with several other Congressmen to form the "Second AmendmentsSecond Amendments
The Second Amendments is a bipartisan rock and country band, all of the members of which were also members of the United States House of Representatives...
," a bipartisan rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
and country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season. He plays lead guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. In June 2006, the band played for President Bush's
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
Picnic on the White House lawn, where Bush was quoted calling McCotter "that rock and roll dude."
Media appearances
McCotter is a frequent guest on the late-night Fox News ChannelFox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
television show Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld is a late-night/early-morning satirical talk show on the Fox News Channel, airing at 3:00 am ET Tuesday through Saturday. The show features panelists and guests discussing the latest news in politics, pop culture, entertainment, business, sports, and religion...
.
McCotter is also a regular guest on Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller
Dennis Miller is an American stand-up comedian, political commentator, actor, sports commentator, and television and radio personality. He is known for his critical assessments laced with pop culture references...
's radio show, where the comedian-host refers to him as "young Thad" and "T-Mac" and frequently comments that he "likes the cut of [his] jib."
In June 2011, McCotter appeared on the Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
show Huckabee
Huckabee
Huckabee is a TV political commentary program on Fox News hosted by former Republican Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. It premiered September 27, 2008, at 8 PM EDT.- Schedule :...
, where he performed in a musical number with his guitar.
External links
- McCotter 2012, official presidential campaign site
- Congressman Thaddeus McCotter official U.S. House site
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election CommissionFederal Election CommissionThe Federal Election Commission is an independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to the Federal Election Campaign Act...
(presidential) - Financial information at OpenSecrets.org (presidential)
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...