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John Shadegg

Former U.S. representative (January 1995-2010)

(Congressional
Bio Directory)

Why He Matters

In 1952, campaign manager Steve Shadegg helped Barry Goldwater upset the sitting Senate majority leader for his Arizona seat and keep it six years later. In 1994, Steve's son, John Shadegg, became a fiery House Republican taking over the chamber for the first time in 40 years.

Elected in the 1994 congressional Republican takeover, the outspoken Shadegg has remained a consistent conservative for his entire political career; after ten years in the House, he became chairman of the Republican Study Committee, which quickly became instrumental in shaping national conservative party. However, when within grasp of a powerful GOP House leadership position, his frequent refusals to toe the party line cost him a top party position.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Adviser, United States Sentencing Commission (1993 to 1994); Arizonans for Wildlife Conservation (1992); Special counsel, Arizona House Republican Caucus (1991 to 1992); U.S. special assistant to the attorney general (1983 to 1990); Attorney (1975 to 1994); Air National Guard (1969 to 1975)
  • Birthday: Oct. 22, 1949
  • Hometown: Phoenix
  • Alma Mater: University of Arizona, B.A., 1972; University of Arizona, J.D., 1975
  • Spouse: Shirley
  • Religion: Episcopalian
  • Committees: House Energy and Commerce Committee (subcommittees on Energy and Environment' Communications, Technology and the Internet; Health), Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
  • DC Office: 436 Cannon House Office Building, 202-225-3361
  • District Office: Phoenix, 602-263-5300
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

A native of Phoenix, Shadegg attended the University of Arizona for both undergraduate school and law school; during his school years, he also served in the Air National Guard. After earning his law degree, Shadegg was a practicing attorney for 19 years, seven of which were spent between 1983 and 1990 as a special assistant to the U.S. attorney general in Arizona. Following that, Shadegg spent two years as special counsel to the Arizona House Republican Caucus.

U.S. House

In 1994, Jon Kyl gave up his House seat for a successful Senate run. Shadegg ran for the position, defeating now-2nd District Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) in the GOP primary, 43 to 30 percent. Shadegg coasted over Democrat Carol Cure in the general election, 60 percent to 36 percent. Shadegg has won re-election since with at least 54 percent of the vote, that lowest total coming in the 2008 face-off against Democrat Bob Lord.

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The Issues

Shadegg has always preached fiscal responsibility, and has abided by those principles in politics. He does not seek earmarks in legislation, and he opposes most legislation that comes attached with a tax increase. So it was a bit of a surprise that Shadegg, a strong opponent of government spending, voted for President Bush's Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 - the so-called "bailout bill" - although he disparaged it in public comments afterwards. Shadegg has also voted against minimum-wage increases pushed by Democrats.

Taxes

Shadegg is uncompromisingly anti-taxation, refusing even to back the Republicans balanced-budget amendment proposals in the mid-90s because they did not contain provisions to prevent tax increases. When approving appropriations, Shadegg often pushes for the imposition of specific budgetary limits on how the money is to be spent.

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The Network

Shadegg has successfully done what many other members of the 1994 Republican freshman class have not: work with new party members on strategies for resurrecting the GOP after 2008's devastating losses.

He openly stated his support for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R), a potential 2012 presidential candidate, in refusing Obama stimulus money, and has commented on his enthusiasm for the political future of Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), with whom he co-sponsored legislation supporting the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

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Additional Resources

  1. Tugend, Tom, "U.S., Israel seek new energy sources," The Jerusalem Post, August 27, 2006
  2. Marrero, Diana and Benson, Matthew, "Rep. Shadegg won't seek reelection," The Arizona Republic, Feb. 12, 2008
  3. House, Billy, "Shadegg may seek DeLay post," The Arizona Republic, Jan. 11, 2006.
  4. Reinhart, Mary K., "Shadegg tops Lord in nasty race," The East Valley (Ariz.) Tribune, November 4, 2008.
  5. "A Standout in Congress," The (Phoenix) Arizona Republic, October 12, 2008.
  6. Kearl, Megan, "Better Options offered on health-care costs," The Tucson (Ariz.) Citizen, March 6, 2008.
  7. Shadegg, John, "The Spirit of 1994," Wall Street Journal, January 18, 2006.
  8. McEwen, Dough, "CLEAR solution for local police," The Arizona Republic, September 27, 2007.
  9. Weisman, Jonathan, "Shadegg Enters GOP Contest," The Washington Post, Jan. 14, 2006
  10. Tang, Terry, "John Shadegg," The Associated Press, May 5, 2009
  11. Bresnahan, John, "Shadegg to retire," Politico, February 11, 2008
  12. Sunnucks, Mike, "Iraq funding OK boosts minimum wage," The Phoenix Business Journal, May 25, 2007.
  13. Killian, Linda, "The freshmen: What happened to the Republican revolution?" Westview Press, 1998.
  14. Tripp, Kevin, "Shadegg Stumps for McCain in New Hampshire," ABC News, January 8, 2008
  15. Marrero, Diana, "Shadegg: Earmarks hurt political processes," Gannett News Service, March 22, 2008
  16. LoBianco, Tom, "Plugged In - Politics, Energy and Environment," The Washington Times, January 27, 2009.