Tom Harkin
| Tom Harkin | ||
 | ||
| U.S. Senate, Iowa | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 1985-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 3, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 28 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Predecessor | Roger W. Jepsen (R) | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $174,000/year | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 4, 2008 | |
| First elected | November 5, 1984 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Campaign $ | $17,864,005 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Prior offices | ||
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| 1975-1985 | ||
| Education | ||
| High school | Dowling Catholic High School | |
| Bachelor's | Iowa State University | |
| J.D. | Catholic University of America | |
| Military service | ||
| Service/branch | U.S. Navy | |
| Years of service | 1962-1967 | |
| Service branch | U.S. Naval Reserve | |
| Years of service | 1968-74 | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | November 19, 1939 | |
| Place of birth | Cumming, Iowa | |
| Profession | Attorney | |
| Net worth | $16,012,060 | |
| Religion | Roman Catholic | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
Contents |
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Harkin is a "moderate Democratic leader".[1]
On January 26, 2013, Harkin announced that he would not seek re-election once his current term expires. Upon his retirement, he will have served in the U.S. Senate for 30 years. Prior to this, he served in the U.S. House for ten years. He told USA Today, "I have mixed feelings. You know what, it's somebody else's turn. To walk away from this position and this power is not an easy thing. But I think it's the right thing."[2]
Biography
Harkin was born in 1939 in Cumming, Iowa. He earned his B.A. from Iowa State University in in 1962 and his J.D. from Catholic University of America in 1972. Sanders has also worked as a carpenter and journalist.[3]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Harkin's political career:
- U.S. House of Representatives, 1975-1985
- U.S. Senate, 1985-Present
Committee assignments
U.S. Senate
2013-2014
Harkin serves on the following Senate committees[4]:
- Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
- Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
- Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
- Appropriations Committee
- Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
- Subcommittee on Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Department of Defense
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
- Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
- Subcommittee on Children and Families Ex Officio
- Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging Ex Officio
- Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety Ex Officio
2011-2012
Harkin served on the following Senate committees[5]:
- Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman
- Subcommittee on Public Health
- Subcommittee on Employment, Safety and Training
- Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
- Appropriations Committee
- Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Chairman
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
- Subcommittee on Defense
- Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations
- Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, HUD, and Related Agencies
Issues
Fiscal Cliff
Harkin 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 three Democrats that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the Senate by a 89/8 vote on January 1, 2013.[6]
Elections
2014
On January 26, 2013, Harkin announced that he will not seek re-election in 2014.[7]
The FiscalTimes compiled a list of the seven most vulnerable Senate seats up for election in 2014. The seven included in the list are: Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. Going into the 2014 election, all seven seats are held by Democrats.[8]
Harkin's decision to retire after five terms in the Senate provides a great opportunity for Republicans.[8] Rep. Bruce Braley (D) is reportedly the likeliest Democratic nominee.[8] On the Republican side, early polling indicates that conservative Rep. Steve King leads the early primary field, but Rep. Tom Latham does better in general election matchups. While there are other Republican possibilities, it seems likely that one of these two would be the front-runner for the nomination.[8]
Full history
To view the full congressional electoral history for Tom Harkin, click [show] to expand the section. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor information for Harkin is available dating back to 2002. Based on available campaign finance records, Harkin raised a total of $17,864,005 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 3, 2013.[12]
| Tom Harkin's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2008 | U.S. Senate (Iowa) |  |
$9,179,122 | |
| 2002 | U.S. Senate (Iowa) | |
$8,684,883 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $17,864,005 | |||
Analysis
Lifetime voting record
According to the website GovTrack, Harkin missed 373 of 9,536 roll call votes from Jan 1985 to Mar 2013. This amounts to 3.9%, which is worse than the median of 1.7% among currently serving senators as of March 2013.[13]
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Harkin paid his congressional staff a total of $2,814,112 in 2011. He ranks 18th on the list of the highest paid Democratic Senatorial Staff Salaries and he ranks 21st overall of the highest paid Senatorial Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Iowa ranks 26th in average salary for senatorial staff. The average U.S. Senate congressional staff was paid $2,529,141.70 in fiscal year 2011.[14]
Net worth
2011
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Harkin's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $10,006,120 and $22,018,001. That averages to $16,012,060, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Senators in 2011 of $20,795,450. His average net worth decreased by 3.52% from 2010.[15]
2010
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Harkin's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $10,276,123 and $22,918,001. That averages to $16,597,062, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic Senators in 2010 of $19,383,524.[16]
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. Harkin ranked 15th in the liberal rankings in 2012.[17]
2011
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Harkin ranked 5th in the liberal rankings among U.S. Senators.[18]
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Tom + Harkin + Iowa + Senate
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Tom Harkin News Feed
- Alliance Tele-Town Hall with Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) - Blog for Iowa (blog)
- Harkin Lifts Hold On Tavenner Nomination To Lead CMS - Kaiser Health News
- Senator Harkin Announces Funding for Six Iowa Airports - KCRG
- Harkin Announces Nearly $1.2 Million to Improve Iowa Airports; Sen. Tom Harkin ... - The Leading Aviation Industry Resource for News, Equipment and
- GOP state senator eyeing Iowa Senate bid - MSNBC
- Terry Branstad Briefly Causes Iowa Senate Race Freak-Out With 'Problem ... - Huffington Post
- US Senate passes flood-protection bill vital to Cedar Rapids - The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines
- UPDATE: Tom Harkin endorses Braley for Senate - Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
- Senate confirmation for CMS administrator put on hold - FierceHealthcare
- 'Lion of the liberals': A Look at the Career of Sen. Tom Harkin: Daily Iowan ... - Patch.com
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Personal
Harkin has been married to his wife Ruth (nee Raduenz) since 1968. They have two daughters and three grandchildren[19].
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Fact-checking:
- Financial:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Legislation:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Works by or about:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
References
- ↑ Gov Track "Tom Harkin," Accessed March 3, 2012
- ↑ USA Today "Iowa Sen. Harkin will not seek re-election," January 26, 2013
- ↑ Biographical Guide to Members of Congress "Thomas Richard Harkin," Accessed October 18, 2011
- ↑ Congressional Quarterly "Senate Committee List" Accessed January 18, 2013
- ↑ Official Senate website "Committees page," Accessed October 18, 2011
- ↑ U.S. Senate "Roll Call Vote on the Fiscal Cliff" Accessed January 4, 2013.
- ↑ AP "Harkin won't seek 6th senate term"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Fiscal Times " 7 Senate Seats Most at Risk—Hint: They’re All Blue" Accessed February 15, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996"
- ↑ Open Secrets "Tom Harkin" Accessed April 3, 2013
- ↑ GovTrack, "Tom Harkin," Accessed March 29, 2013
- ↑ LegiStorm "Tom Harkin"
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa), 2011"
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Harkin, (D-IA), 2010"
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 28, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: Senate," February 23, 2012
- ↑ Official Senate website "Biography," Accessed October 18, 2011
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Roger Jepsen |
U.S. Senate - Iowa 1985-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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