Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2011)

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Why He Matters

Cravaack came out of nowhere in 2010 to defeat Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the longest-serving representative in Minnesota history.

Cravaack said he decided to run for Minnesota's 8th district after the senior Democrat rejected a meeting with him to discuss the health-care bill. While Cravaack thought he could beat Oberstar, others doubted it, even in a year when Democrats were guaranteed a tough time. Like Oberstar, Cravaack ran as a social conservative. The Republican was able to eke out a victory based on a message opposing the Democrats' health care, stimulus and climate-change plans.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Pilot, Northwest Airlines; Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve
Birthday: Dec. 29, 1959
Hometown: Charleston, W.Va. (Birthplace)
Alma Mater: Naval Academy, B.S.; University of West Florida, Master's
Spouse: Traci
Religion: Christian

Committees: Transportation
DC Office: 508 Canon HOBWashington, DC 20515Phone: (202) 225-6211
State/District Office (Campaign): 6448 Main Street, Suite 6North Branch, MN 55056Phone: (651) 237-8220
Email
Web site

Path To Power

Born in 1959 in Charleston, W.Va., Cravaack was raised in the Cincinnati suburb of Madeira, Ohio. His father was involved with a local Republican club, but the family displayed little other interest in politics as Cravaack was growing up.

Military and Commercial Pilot Career

A graduate of the Naval Academy, Cravaack was stationed throughout the country while on active duty as a helicopter pilot. He later joined the Naval Reserves.

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The Issues

In 2010, Cravaack ran focusing on bringing change to Washington in the form of shrinking government size and reach over more local issues.

During the campaign, Cravaack brought attention to the Oberstar-authored America's Commitment to Clean Water Act, saying the bill's efforts to regulate pollution in all waters was a "land grab" and an "overreach by the federal government."

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Cravaack says the immigration debate should be put on hold until U.S. borders are secured.

Health-Care Reform

Cravaack said one of his first orders of business would be to target the 2010 health-care bill by either repealing or defunding the bill.

Cravaack supports provisions preventing insurance providers from denying coverage based on preexisting conditions, allowing the sale of insurance across state lines, granting individuals tax benefits for out-of-pocket costs and promoting health-savings accounts.

On the shortage of health professionals in rural areas, Cravaack is an advocate of tort reform saying such measures would allow doctors to live and practice in rural areas more easily.

Cravaack made abortion rights and the health-care bill a hallmark of his campaign, criticizing Oberstar for allowing the legislation to pass without limiting the usage of federal funds for abortion. President Obama later signed an executive order reinforcing such a ban.

Education and Labor Issues

Cravaack opposed the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier to unionize by allowing employees to simply sign a public card instead of holding a secret-ballot election. "The secret ballot is the cornerstone of democracy and that ideal should be reflected within the union," Cravaack says.

Cravaack says education is a state issue, contending that placing education in federal hands makes schools targets for special interest groups. He calls Department of Education mandates impersonal and "at times implausible," saying student funding should be directed to any school of a parent's choosing. Cravaack supports a merit pay system for teachers. He says the No Child Left Behind Act should be abolished.

Jobs and Fiscal Policy

Cravaack says the best way for the government to help create jobs is to cut business taxes. A proponent of eliminating the estate tax permanently, Cravaack says it is particular burden on farmers.

Cravaack argued that the 2009, $787-billion stimulus bill added to the deficit without improving the unemployment rate. He believes stimulating the private sector would be a better way to fund infrastructure projects.

Critical during the 2010 campaign of the earmark process, Cravaack supports reforming the it, arguing that projects should be based on merit and not lawmakers' clout.

The Network

Cravaack said he would back Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) for House Republican Conference chair, although her bid for the post died in its infancy.

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