Jim Sensenbrenner

	Jim Sensenbrenner
	U.S. House, Wisconsin, District 5
	Incumbent
	In office
	January 3, 2003-present
	Term ends
	January 3, 2015
Years in position	34
Party	Republican
Predecessor	Tom Barrett (D)
	Leadership
	Delegate, Wisconsin State Republican Conventions
	1965-2009
	Compensation
Base salary	$174,000/year
	Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	November 7, 1978
Next election	November 4, 2014
Term limits	N/A
	Prior offices
	Wisconsin State Senate
	1975-1979
	Wisconsin State Assembly
	1969-1975
	Education
High school	Milwaukee Country Day School
Bachelor's	Stanford University
J.D.	University of Wisconsin Law Schoo
	Personal
Birthday	June 14, 1943
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois
Profession	Attorney
Net worth	$16,205,282
Websites
	Office website
	Campaign website

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Frank James "Jim" Sensenbrenner Jr. (b. June 14, 1943) is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Wisconsin. Sensenbrenner has represented Wisconsin's 5th congressional district since 2003, when the district he previously represented, the 9th district, was eliminated. He was first elected to the House in 1978. Sensenbrenner was re-elected in 2012.^[1]

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Sensenbrenner is a "rank-and-file Republican".^[2]

Biography

Sensenbrenner was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his bachelor's from Stanford University in 1965 and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1968. ^[3]

Career

After earning his degrees, Sensenbrenner went into private practice as a lawyer. He worked as an assistant to U.S. Rep. J. Arthur Younger (CA), and soon after launched his own political career.

1979-Present: U.S. House of Representatives
- 1979-2003: Representative of Wisconsin's 9th congressional district
1975-1979: Wisconsin State Senate
1969-1975: Wisconsin State Assembly

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2013-2014

Sensenbrenner serves on the following committees:^[4]

United States House Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations - Chair
United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Subcommittee on Environment
- Subcommittee on Oversight

2011-12

Sensenbrenner was a member of the following committees:^[5]

Committee on the Judiciary
- Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Chair
- Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet
Committee on Science and Technology Vice Chair
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics
- Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight

Issues

House Judiciary Committee

Sensenbrenner was first appointed to the House Judiciary Committee shortly after he was sworn into the Congress in 1979.^[6] During his thirty year tenure on the committee, the Congressman has managed the impeachment proceedings of federal judges Samuel Kent and Walter Nixon, along with the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.^[7]

In addition, Sensenbrenner serves as the Republican Ranking Member on the on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. In addition, Sensenbrenner serves on the House Judiciary Subcommittees on Courts and Competition Policy and is a member of the Task Force on Judicial Impeachment which is responsible for handling impeachments of federal judges.^[8]

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Sensenbrenner 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. He 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.^[9]

Elections

2012

See also: Wisconsin's 5th congressional district elections, 2012

Sensenbrenner ran for re-election in 2012. He was unopposed in the Republican primary and defeated Democrat Dave Heaster in the November general election.^[10]

U.S. House, Wisconsin, District 5 General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Dave Heaster	32.1%	118,478
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner Incumbent	67.7%	250,335
	Miscellaneous	N/A	0.2%	851
Total Votes				369,664
Source: Wisconsin Government Accountability Board "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Jim Sensenbrenner, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Todd P. Kolosso (D) and Robert R. Raymond (I) in the general election.^[11]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 5 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	69.3%	229,642
	Democratic	Todd P. Kolosso	27.4%	90,634
	Independent	Robert R. Raymond	3.3%	10,813
	N/A	Scattering	0.1%	169
Total Votes				331,258

2008

On November 4, 2008, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Robert R. Raymond (I) in the general election.^[12]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 5 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	79.6%	275,271
	Independent	Robert R. Raymond	20.2%	69,715
	N/A	N/A	0.3%	913
Total Votes				345,899

2006

On November 7, 2006, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bryan Kennedy (D), Robert R. Raymond (I) and Bob Levis (Wisconsin Green) in the general election.^[13]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 5 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	61.8%	194,669
	Democratic	Bryan Kennedy	35.7%	112,451
	Independent	Robert R. Raymond	1.1%	3,525
	Wisconsin Green	Bob Levis	1.4%	4,432
	N/A	Scattering	0%	103
Total Votes				315,180

2004

On November 2, 2004, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bryan Kennedy (D) and Tim Peterson (L) in the general election.^[14]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 5 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	66.6%	271,153
	Democratic	Bryan Kennedy	31.8%	129,384
	Libertarian	Tim Peterson	1.6%	6,549
	N/A	Scattering	0.1%	205
Total Votes				407,291

2002

On November 5, 2002, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Robert Raymond (I) in the general election.^[15]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 5 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	86.1%	191,224
	Independent	Robert Raymond	13.3%	29,567
	N/A	Scattering	0.5%	1,221
Total Votes				222,012

2000

On November 7, 2000, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Mike Clawson (D) in the general election.^[16]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	74%	239,498
	Democratic	Mike Clawson	25.9%	83,720
	N/A	Scattering	0.1%	237
Total Votes				323,455

1998

On November 3, 1998, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jeffrey M. Gonyo (I) in the general election.^[17]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	91.3%	175,533
	Independent	Jeffrey M. Gonyo	8.5%	16,419
	N/A	Scattering	0.2%	342
	N/A	Write-in	0%	24
Total Votes				192,318

1996

On November 3, 1998, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Floyd Brenholt (D) in the general election.^[18]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	74.4%	197,910
	Democratic	Floyd Brenholt	25.5%	67,740
	N/A	Scattering	0.1%	225
Total Votes				265,875

1994

On November 8, 1994, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.^[19]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	99.8%	141,617
	N/A	Scattering	0.2%	336
Total Votes				141,953

1992

On November 3, 1992, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ingrid K. Buxton (D), David E. Marlow (I) and Jeffrey Holt Millikin (L) in the general election.^[20]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	69.7%	192,898
	Democratic	Ingrid K. Buxton	28%	77,362
	Independent	David E. Marlow	1.7%	4,619
	Libertarian	Jeffrey Holt Millikin	0.7%	1,881
	N/A	Scattering	0%	27
Total Votes				276,787

1990

On November 6, 1990, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.^[21]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	99.7%	117,967
	N/A	Scattering	0.3%	354
Total Votes				118,321

1988

On November 3, 1998, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Thomas J. Hickey (D) in the general election.^[22]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	74.9%	185,093
	Democratic	Thomas J. Hickey	25.1%	62,003
	N/A	Scattering	0%	8
Total Votes				247,104

1986

On November 4, 1986, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Thomas G. Popp (D) in the general election.^[23]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1986
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	78.2%	138,766
	Democratic	Thomas G. Popp	21.8%	38,636
	N/A	Scattering	0%	6
Total Votes				177,408

1984

On November 6, 1984, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Krause (D) and Stephen K. Hauser (Constitution) in the general election.^[24]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1984
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	73.4%	180,247
	Democratic	John Krause	26.1%	64,157
	Constitution	Stephen K. Hauser	0.5%	1,306
	N/A	Other	0%	6
Total Votes				245,716

1982

On November 2, 1982, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated write-in candidates in the general election.^[25]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1982
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	99.9%	111,503
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	67
Total Votes				111,570

1980

On November 4, 1980, Jim Sensenbrenner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Gary C. Benedict (D) in the general election.^[26]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1980
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner incumbent	78.4%	206,227
	Democratic	Gary C. Benedict	21.6%	56,838
	N/A	Write-in	0%	14
Total Votes				263,079

1978

On November 7, 1978, Jim Sensenbrenner won election to the United States House. He defeated Matthew J. Flynn (D) in the general election.^[27]

U.S. House, Wisconsin District 9 General Election, 1978
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jim Sensenbrenner	61.1%	118,386
	Democratic	Matthew J. Flynn	38.8%	75,207
	N/A	Scattering	0%	95
Total Votes				193,688

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Sensenbrenner is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Sensenbrenner raised a total of $4,103,092 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 18, 2013.^[28]

Jim Sensenbrenner's Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$554,919
2010	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$419,147
2008	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$479,866
2006	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$774,141
2004	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$806,716
2002	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$567,127
2000	US House (Wisconsin, District 5)		$501,176
Grand Total Raised			$4,103,092

2012

Breakdown of the source of Sensenbrenner's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Sensenbrenner won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that re-election cycle, Sensenbrenner's campaign committee raised a total of $554,920 and spent $626,187.^[29]

U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin, 5th District, 2012 - Jim Sensenbrenner Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$554,920
Total Spent	$626,187
Total Raised by Election Runner-up
Total Spent by Election Runner-up
Top contributors to Jim Sensenbrenner's campaign committee
Google Inc	$18,500
Intellectual Ventures LLC	$13,000
Pandora Media	$12,500
American Bankers Assn	$10,000
Liberty Media	$10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Computers/Internet	$43,500
TV/Movies/Music	$34,000
Lobbyists	$27,806
Retired	$27,350
Oil & Gas	$23,750

2010

Breakdown of the source of Sensenbrenner's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Sensenbrenner won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that re-election cycle, Sensenbrenner's campaign committee raised a total of $419,147 and spent $471,684.^[30]

U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin, 5th District, 2010 - Jim Sensenbrenner Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$419,147
Total Spent	$471,684
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$175,545
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$175,545
Top contributors to Jim Sensenbrenner's campaign committee
American Bankers Assn	$10,000
Honeywell International	$10,000
National Beer Wholesalers Assn	$10,000
Recording Industry Assn of America	$7,500
Liberty Media	$7,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
TV/Movies/Music	$33,500
Misc Manufacturing & Distributing	$24,500
Beer, Wine & Liquor	$18,150
Commercial Banks	$17,800
Lawyers/Law Firms	$16,460

Analysis

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Sensenbrenner missed 328 of 20,180 roll call votes from January 1979 to April 2013. This amounts to 1.6%, which is better than the median of 2.1% among current congressional representatives as of April 2013.^[31]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Sensenbrenner paid his congressional staff a total of $883,916 in 2011. Overall, Wisconsin ranks 32nd in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.^[32]

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, Sensenbrenner's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $13,423,808 and $18,986,756. That averages to $16,205,282, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth decreased by 13.48% from 2010.^[33]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Sensenbrenner's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $15,678,876 to $21,782,825. That averages to $18,730,850.50, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.^[34]

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. Sensenbrenner was 1 of 2 members who ranked 170th in the conservative rankings in 2012.^[35]

2011

See also: National Journal vote ratings

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Sensenbrenner was 1 of 3 members of congress who ranked 113th in the conservative rankings.^[36]

Political positions

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Sensenbrenner voted with the Republican Party 87.1% of the time, which ranked 217 among the 242 House Republican members in November 2011.^[37]

Recent news

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