Jean Schmidt

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Jean Schmidt
Jean Schmidt.jpg
U.S. House, Ohio, District 2
Retired Representative
In office
January 3, 2005-2013
PartyRepublican
PredecessorRob Portman (R)
Compensation
Base salary$174,000/year
Elections and appointments
Last electionNovember 6, 2012
First electedAugust 2, 2005
Term limitsN/A
Prior offices
Ohio House of Representatives
2000-2004
Trustee, Miami Township, Ohio
1990-2000
Education
Bachelor'sUniversity of Cincinnati
OtherCertificate in Secondary Education, University of Cincinnati
Personal
BirthdayNovember 29, 1951
Place of birthCincinnati, Ohio
ProfessionBanker, Educator
Net worth$5,339,027
ReligionCatholic
Websites
Office website
Campaign website

Contents

Jeannette Marie Hoffman Schmidt (b. November 29, 1951) was a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Ohio. Schmidt represents Ohio's 2nd congressional district and was first elected in 2005.

Schmidt ran for re-election in 2012. She lost to Brad Wenstrup in the Republican primary on March 6, 2012.[1][2]

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Schmidt was a "lonely far-right Republican follower".[3]

Biography

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 		The information about this individual is current as of when his or her last campaign ended. See anything that needs updating? Send a correction to our editors

Schmidt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in political science in 1974, Schmidt worked in her father's bank, the Midwestern Savings Association from 1971 to 1978. From 1984 to 1986 she was a fitness instructor, then worked as a school teacher for four years. In 1984, Schmidt was a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and earned a certificate in Secondary Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1986.[4][5] In 2005, Schmidt became the second Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Career

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2011-2012

Schmidt served on the following committees:[6]

Issues

Political positions

A February 2012 analysis by National Journal found that out of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, Schmidt ranks number 58 in conservative rankings. The ranking means Schmidt is the 58th most conservative member of the House. [7]

Energy and Environment

In June 2009, Schmidt voted against the cap-and-trade bill that passed the House. She has also called for reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil by drilling domestically in places like the Alaska Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

Excerpt: "What's really important is to adopt an environmental policy that advances the American economy and national security. I supported the energy bill recently passed by the U.S. House that will expand the use of alternative energy sources and additives like ethanol."

Health care threat

In March of 2010, amid debate of President Barack Obama's health care reform, Schmidt received a threatening voicemail in her Capitol Hill office. It was the first time a Republican received a threat over the health care vote.[8] The message referred to a 2008 jogging accident and said, in part, "Jean Schmidt, when you got hit by that car, you should’ve broke your back..."[9]

Taxes

Schmidt identifies as a fiscal conservative. She voted against paying for the alternative minimum tax by closing offshore loopholes for businesses. Schmidt voted for keeping a reduced tax rate on capital gains and dividends, and was a co-sponsor of the Death Tax Repeal Act. Schmidt also signed the Americans For Tax Reform's "Taxpayer Protection Pledge," promising not to raise taxes while in office.

Excerpt: "Tax increases mean less money in the wallets of every hard-working American – not just the rich. Tax increases mean you will have less money to buy what you need, increase your savings, and invest in the economy."

Abortion


Schmidt addressing the defunding of Planned Parenthood (February 17, 2012).

Schmidt is strongly pro-life. When she launched her first campaign, she was president of the Right-to-Life Greater Cincinnati. Schmidt consistently votes against federal funding for abortion. In 2007, she even voted against expanding embryonic stem cell research. In October 2010, Schmidt became the center of media attention again, after she brought up abortion in a speech to elementary school children. According to the school's principal, Schmidt defined abortion as "taking of a child's life in the mother's womb."[10] In April 2011, Schmidt grabbed headlines by claiming, in a speech on the House floor, that "for every 33 pregnant women that walk into a Planned Parenthood clinic, 32 receive an abortion."[11]

Excerpt: "Make no mistake, Planned Parenthood is our nation's largest abortion provider. ... For the sake of abortion, Planned Parenthood holds itself above the law, ignoring mandatory reporting requirements, skirting parental consent, and aiding and abetting child sexual trafficking."[12]

Ethics Investigation

In February 2010, Schmidt's attorney confirmed that the House Office of Congressional Ethics was investigating the Congresswoman's acceptance of legal assistance from a Turkish-American interest group. He two-time Democratic challenger, David Krikorian, had filed multiple ethics complaints with the OCE alleging the group had provided free legal services, which violate House rules.[13] Schmidt, in turn, filed a $6.8 million defamation lawsuit against Krikorian for distributing campaign literature that accused her of taking money from the Turkish government in exchange for voting against a 2007 resolution recognizing Armenian genocide.[14] In August 2011, the Ethics Committee exonerated Schmidt from any wrongdoing, but ordered her to stop taking donations from the Turkish American Legal Defense Fund, and pay back the $500,000 she accrued in attorney fees.[15]

War in Iraq


Schmidt discussing the War in Iraq in which she says "cowards cut and run."

In November 2005, shortly after being elected, Schmidt made some controversial remarks during debate on the House floor over a bill calling for immediate withdrawal of troops in Iraq. Speaking to then-Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), Schmidt said, "A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do."[16] After that incident, she was nicknamed "Mean Jean." [17]

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Voted "No" Schmidt voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was one of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.[18]

Polls

2012 Election

A Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research informed ballot poll conducted December 19-20, 2011, showed that after respondents were given messages they would likely hear about Schmidt during the campaign, the Congresswoman had a smaller lead over two of her primary opponents. When voters were polled before being informed on the messages, Schmidt led with 54 percent.[19]

Ohio's Congressional District 2, 2012
Response Wilson Perkins Allen Opinion Research
(December 19-20, 2012)		Average
Jean Schmidt (R) 38% 38%
Brad Wenstrup (R) 16% 16%
Fred Kundrata (R) 3% 3%
Undecided 56% 56%
Number polled 300 300
Margin of error +/-5.7 5.7%
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org


2010 Election

A Pulse Opinion Research poll commissioned in January 2010 showed a tight race between Schmidt and Democratic candidate David Krikorian.[20]

Ohio's Congressional District 2, 2010
Response Pulse Opinion Research
(January 24-25, 2010)		Average
Jean Schmidt (R) 44% 44%
David Krikorian (D) 41% 41%
Other 6% 6%
Number polled 738 738
Margin of error +/-3.6 3.6%
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Elections

2012

See also: Ohio's 2nd congressional district elections, 2012

Schmidt ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, to represent Ohio's 2nd District. She lost to Army veteran Brad Wenstrup in the March 6, 2012 primary.[21][2]

Targeted


"CPA Attack Ad"

Schmidt has been targeted in 2012 by the nonpartisan Super PAC, Campaign for Primary Accountability. The PAC, which can make an unlimited amount of independent expenditures during an election cycle, has targeted incumbents of both political parties that it feels are "entrenched". The group is conducting polls and providing voters with information about the primary election, where incumbents historically out-raise and out-spend any opponents.[22]

In February 2012, the Campaign for Primary Accountability released a web attack ad on Schnmidt.[23]

In February 2012 interview, Schmidt defended her track record in Congress, and pushed back against charges that she is a career politician.[24]


"Schmidt Defends Record, Credentials, Ethics"

Endorsements

  • The Ohio Republican Party announced in February 2012 that it had endorsed Schmidt in the March 6 primary.[25]
  • The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund endorsed Schmidt for re-election.[26]
  • On January 26, 2012, the Ohio Right to Life PAC announced it had endorsed Schmidt for re-election.[27]
  • On December 1, 2011, the Brown County Republican Party endorsed Schmidt in the primary.[28]
  • The Scioto County Republican Party endorsed Schmidt.[29]
  • The Adams County GOP also endorsed Schmidt for re-election.[29]
  • The Hillsboro Times-Gazette has endorsed Schmidt[30]
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer editorial board announced March 2, 2012, that it was endorsing Schmidt for re-election[31]

2010

On November 2, 2010, Schmidt won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. She defeated Surya Yalamanchili (D), Marc Johnston (Libertarian), and Randy Lee Conover (Write-in) in the general election.[32]

U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio Congressional District 2 Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark.jpgJean Schmidt Incumbent 58.5% 139,027
     Democrat Surya Yalamanchili 34.7% 82,431
     Libertarian Marc Johnston 6.8% 16,259
     Write-in Randy Lee Conover 0.1% 128
Total Votes 237,845

2008

On November 4, 2008, Jean Schmidt won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Victoria Wulsin (D) and David Krikorian (Independent). [33]

2006

On November 4, 2006, Jean Schmidt won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Victoria Wulsin (D). [34]

2005

On August 2, 2005, Jean Schmidt won in a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Paul Hackett (D). [35]

Media Scrutiny

The 2005 special election received a significant amount of national media attention.[36] A historically Republican district, it was speculated that a Democrat win could be seen as an indication that American political opinions were shifting because of frustrations over the War in Iraq.[37] National media outlets like the New York Times and USA Today covered the race, especially Hackett. USA Today wrote of Hackett, "But if Democrats could design a dream candidate to capitalize on national distress about the war in Iraq, he would look a lot like the tall, telegenic Marine Reserve major who finished a seven-month tour of Iraq in March."[38]

As the race tightened, the National Republican Campaign Committee announced on July 28 it would spend more than $500,000 on television ads. On election night, Schmidt won with 51.63% of the vote.[39]

Campaign donors

2010

Schmidt won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Schmidt's campaign committee raised a total of $1,048,529 and spent $978,058.[40]

Her top 5 contributors between 2009-2010 were:

Analysis

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Schmidt paid her congressional staff a total of $990,825 in 2011. Overall, Ohio ranked 30th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[41]

Net worth

See also: Net Worth of United States Senators and Representatives

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Schmidt's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $1,801,058 to $8,876,997. That averages to $5,339,027, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican House members in 2011 of $7,859,232. Her average net worth decreased by 23.15% from 2010.[42]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Schmidt's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $3,398,056 to $10,497,000. This averages out to $6,947,528 which was lower than the average net worth of Republicans in 2010 of $7,561,133.[43]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Schmidt tied with two other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 103rd in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[44]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Schmidt ranked 58th in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[45]

Percentage voting with party

The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Jean Schmidt has voted with the Republican Party 93.0% of the time, which ranked 107 among the 242 House Republican members as of November 2011.[46]

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Jean + Schmidt + Ohio + House

All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.

Jean Schmidt News Feed


Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found


Personal

She has three siblings, including a twin sister, Jennifer Black. Schmidt's father, Gus Hoffman, founded the Hoffman Racing Team, which still competes in the USAC racing circuit.

External links


References

  1. ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer "Ohio's GOP presidential primary field set" Accessed February 18, 2012
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington Post "US Rep. Jean Schmidt concedes Ohio GOP congressional primary to Iraq war vet challenger," March 7, 2012
  3. ↑ Gov Track "Schmidt" Accessed May 18, 2012
  4. ↑ wikipedia.com "Jean Schmidt" Accessed February 11, 2012
  5. ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress "SCHMIDT, Jean, (1951 - )"
  6. ↑ Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives "Committee Information"
  7. ↑ National Journal "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House" Accessed February 24, 2012
  8. ↑ The Hill "GOP lawmaker now reports threat over healthcare stance" Accessed February 10, 2012
  9. ↑ Daily Caller "The unedited Jean Schmidt voicemail" Accessed February 10, 2012
  10. ↑ NY Daily News "Republican Congresswoman talks to 6-year-olds about abortion, principal apologizes to parents" Accessed February 11, 2012
  11. ↑ Cleveland Plain Dealer Accessed February 25, 2012
  12. ↑ Youtube.com "Rep. Jean Schmidt Speaks to Defund Planned Parenthood" Accessed February 11, 2012
  13. ↑ Roll Call "Ethics Panel Confirms Probes of Meeks, Schmidt" Accessed February 13, 2012
  14. ↑ Politico "Jean Schmidt defamation suit in 3rd year" Accessed February 13, 2012
  15. ↑ TPM "House Ethics Orders Schmidt to Pay Back $500K In Improper Legal Fees" Accessed February 13, 2012
  16. ↑ ThinkProgress "Schmidt's Shame" Accessed February 11, 2012
  17. ↑ Washington Post "Jean Schmidt" Accessed February 11, 2012
  18. ↑ U.S. House "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.
  19. ↑ Campaign for Primary Accountability Accessed February 18, 2012
  20. ↑ DC Political Report, "2010 Ohio Polls" Accessed February 13, 2012
  21. ↑ cincinnati.com "Super-PAC targets 'out of step' Schmidt" Accessed January 31, 2012
  22. ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer "Super PAC targets 'out of step' Schmidt" Accessed February 1, 2012
  23. ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer "Web ad blasts Rep. Schmidt" Accessed March 2, 2012
  24. ↑ wlwt.com "Schmit defends record, credentials, ethics" Accessed February 24, 2012
  25. ↑ Portsmouth Daily Times "State GOP endorses Jean Schmidt" Accessed February 13, 2012
  26. ↑ nrapvf.org Accessed February 19, 2012
  27. ↑ OhioVotesforLife.org "Press Release" Accessed February 19, 2012
  28. ↑ newsdemocrat.com "Rep. Jean Schmidt endorsed for re-election, cited as 'well qualified' by Republican groups" Accessed February 19, 2012
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Portsmouth Daily Times "State GOP endorses Jean Schmidt" Accessed February 25, 2012
  30. ↑ Hillsboro Times-Gazette "Our Endorsements" Accessed March 1, 2012
  31. ↑ Cincinnati Enquirer "Enquirer Endorsements: Our choices in three key primaries" Accessed March 2, 2012
  32. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"
  33. ↑ Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008
  34. ↑ Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006
  35. ↑ wikipedia.org Ohio's 2nd congressional district special election, 2005
  36. ↑ FoxNews "GOP's Schmidt Wins Ohio Special Election" Accessed February 10, 2012
  37. ↑ Government Executive "Turning Tide?" Accessed February 10, 2012
  38. ↑ USA Today "Democratic candidates tout Iraq war experience" Accessed February 10, 2012
  39. ↑ wikipedia "Ohio's 2nd congressional district special election, 2005" Accessed February 10, 2012
  40. ↑ Open Secrets "Jean Schmidt 2010 Election Cycle," Accessed November 16, 2011
  41. ↑ LegiStorm, "Jean Schmidt," Accessed September 25, 2012
  42. ↑ OpenSecrets.org "Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), 2011," accessed February 22, 2013
  43. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), 2010," Accessed September 25, 2012
  44. ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," March 7, 2013
  45. ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," February 23, 2012
  46. ↑ Open Congress "Voting With Party"
Political offices
Preceded by
Rob Portman 		U.S. House of Representatives - Ohio, District 2
2005–2013 		Succeeded by
Brad Wenstrup
Preceded by
' 		Ohio House of Representatives
2000-2004 		Succeeded by
'
Preceded by
' 		Trustee, Miami Township, Ohio
1990-2000 		Succeeded by
'
v • d • e
Ohio's current delegation to the United States Congress
SenatorsCongressLogo.png
Representatives
Brad Wenstrup (R) • Bill Johnson (R) • Bob Gibbs (R) • David Joyce (R) • Joyce Beatty (D) • Jim Jordan (R) • James B. Renacci (R) • John A. Boehner (R) • Marcia L. Fudge (D) • Marcy Kaptur (D) • Michael R. Turner (R) • Patrick J. Tiberi (R) • Robert E. Latta (R) • Steve Chabot (R) • Steve Stivers (R) • Tim Ryan (D)
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