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Harry Mitchell

Former U.S. Representative (January 2007-2011)

(Congress Bio Directory)

Why He Matters

Mitchell was one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the 2010 elections; he lost his seat to ex-Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert (R).

In 2006, Mitchell, a former state senator and high-school civics teacher, rode to Washington on the anti-incumbent wave that put Democrats in the congressional majority.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: State Senator (1998-2006); Mayor of Tempe, Ariz. (1978-1994); high school teacher (1964-1992)
Birthday: July 18, 1940
Hometown: Phoenix, Ariz.
Alma Mater: Arizona State University, B.A., 1962; M.A. 1980
Spouse: Marianne
Religion: Catholic

Committees: Science and Technology, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans' Affairs
DC Office: 2434 Rayburn House Office Building, 202-225-2190
District Office: Scottsdale, 480-946-2411
Email
Web site

Path to Power

Mitchell was born in Phoenix and grew up in the neighboring township of Tempe, Ariz. In 1962, Mitchell graduated with a B.A. from Arizona State, where he would later return to earn a master's in public affairs and serve as an adjunct professor. After graduating, he returned to his hometown where he taught American government and economics at his old high school for nearly 30 years.

Arizona Lawmaker

In 1970, Mitchell first entered public life when he was elected to the Tempe City Council; eight years later he became the city's mayor, a post he held for 16 years. During that time, he worked to revitalize Tempe's downtown area and expand public transit. After retiring from teaching and his mayoral post, Mitchell served six years in the state senate where he held the post of assistant minority leader.

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2006 House Race

Mitchell was still in the Arizona Senate in 2006 when the national Democratic Party, in the person of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), came calling. Mitchell at first declined Emanuel's entreaties to challenge Rep. Hayworth, but he eventually agreed to run, he said, because he did not believe Hayworth, a transplant from North Carolina, represented local values.

Both candidates received enormous funding from the national parties, particularly after The Arizona Republic, the state's largest newspaper that had always endorsed Hayworth in the past, published a ringing endorsement of Mitchell. ("J.D. Hayworth is a bully," the endorsement read. "The 5th Congressional District needs a bridge-builder, not a bomb-thrower.") Both candidates ran aggressive ads on the issues of immigration, security and Hayworth's ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff; the latter of these likely played a key role in swinging the race in Mitchell's favor.

The results were initially so close that Hayworth would not concede for a week while early ballots were counted. He finally did so after it became clear that Mitchell's lead was increasing, but Mitchell refused to claim victory until the count was complete. He reaped an unexpected benefit from the close race; because of the delay in official results, he had to drop out of the lottery for freshmen lawmakers and instead inherited Hayworth's old office in the roomy Rayburn building.

Upon his arrival in Congress, Mitchell was assigned to three House committees: Veterans' Affairs, Science and Technology and Transportation and Infrastructure. Seven months into his new job, Mitchell told a local newspaper editor that he was still adjusting and very busy. "Every day I discover something new," he said. "As a former teacher of government, it's very exciting."

2008 Race

In 2008, Mitchell faced a tough re-election battle against Republican David Schweikert who served three years as Maricopa County treasurer before resigning in 2007 to run for the House.

As in the 2006 race, the national parties contributed significant funding to the battle for the Arizona's 5th. Ethics again played a prominent role, except this time it was Mitchell who took the criticism (for his acceptance of campaign contributions from House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.)). Mitchell pulled through with 53 percent of the vote.

The Issues

Unaccustomed to the intense partisanship of congressional politics, Mitchell has established a decidedly centrist, non-partisan voting record on the national level. In the 111th Congress, he has voted with his Democratic colleagues 81.3 percent of the time.

Health-Care Reform

Like many centrist Democrats, Mitchell has become a focal point for the energies of lobbyists and protestors seeking to influence 2009 health-care reform legislation. In August and July 2009, reform critics and Republican groups demonstrated outside his Scottsdale, Ariz., office, protesting "Obamacare" and "socialized medicine."

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The Network

Though he has repeatedly benefited from funding by the national Democratic Party during elections, Mitchell has resisted partisan politics in Washington, and often splits with the Democratic House leadership. Within Arizona's divided congressional delegation, he is often grouped with fellow centrists Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Az.) and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.).

Additional Resources