Grover Norquist
| Grover Norquist | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Organization: | Americans for Tax Reform |
| Role: | President |
| Education: | Harvard University |
Grover Norquist is president of the lobbying group Americans for Tax Reform. Writing for The Conversation, Professors Gibbs Knotts and Drew Kurlowski wrote in 2025 that Norqusit was "a relentless advocate for fiscal conservatism. He is the living embodiment of an ideological thread that stretches from Goldwater to Reagan to Gingrich to current GOP leadership."[1]
Early years and career
Grover Norquist was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1956. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's in business administration from Harvard University in 1978 and 1981, respectively. Norquist's work experience included working as head of the College Republicans, and working at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.[2] In 1985, Norquist founded Americans for Tax Reform in 1985 to organize grassroots support for President Ronald Reagan's (R) 1986 Tax Reform Act.[3][4]
Work and activities
Taxpayer protection pledge
In 1986, Norquist and Americans for Tax Reform introduced the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge," a written promise by legislators and candidates for office that commits them to oppose tax increases. As of 2025, the organization's website says 252 individuals have signed the pledge, including 44 Senators, 191 Representatives, and 17 governors.[5] Additionally, their website says that historically, close to "1,400 elected officials, from state representative to governor to US Senator, have signed the Pledge."[6]
Contract with America
In 1994, Norquist, along with Newt Gingrich (R), wrote the book Contract With America.[7]
Wednesday meetings
Norquist chairs weekly meetings called the Wednesday Meeting. According to Americans for Tax Reform's website, the meetings are " a weekly gathering of more than 150 elected officials, political activists, and movement leaders. The meeting started in 1993 and takes place in ATR’s conference room."[4]
Endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Grover Norquist. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Grover Norquist profile
- Grover Norquist on X
- Grover Norquist on Instagram
- Grover Norquist on LinkedIn
Footnotes
- ↑ The Conversation, "Grover Norquist’s lasting influence on the GOP and US economic policy," June 25, 2025
- ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica, "Grover Norquist," accessed November 14, 2025
- ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica, "Tax Reform Act of 1986," accessed May 12, 2025
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Americans for Tax Reform, "About Grover Norquist," accessed October 9, 2020
- ↑ Americans for Tax Reform, "The Pledge Database," accessed May 12, 2025
- ↑ Americans for Tax Reform, "About," accessed May 15, 2025
- ↑ Goldwater Institute, "Grover Norquist," accessed November 14, 2025
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