Phil Roe (R-Tenn.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2009)

(Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.))

Why He Matters

Roe is among a growing number of doctors who are turning their expertise in medicine into a prescription for political succcess. Roe pulled off a 2008 election stunner when he beat then-Rep. David Davis (R-Tenn.) in a closely-contested Republican primary - the first defeat of an incumbent in Tennessee's 1st district since 1930.

Roe worked as a OB-gyn in Tennessee for 31 years, so he's hardly intimidated by the hustle-and-bustle of life on Capitol Hill. "The pace is not quite as brisk as I've been used to. As a physician, as a surgeon, I'm starting out early in the morning making rounds before I ever go to the operating room," Roe said.

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Background

At a Glance

Career History: Physician; Army Medical Corps (1973-1974)
Birthday: July 21, 1945
Hometown: Clarksville, Tenn.
Alma Mater: Austin Peay State University, B.S., 1967; University of Tennessee, M.D., 1973
Spouse: Pam
Religion: Methodist
Committees: Agriculture, Veteran Affairs, Education and Labor

DC Office: 419 Cannon HOB, 202-225-6356
State/District Office: Kingsport, Tenn., 423-247-8161; Morristown, Tenn., 423-254-1400
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Path to Power

Roe graduated from Austin Peay State University with a B.S. in biology in 1967, then earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee in 1973. After medical school he spent two years in the Army Medical Corps, an experience that had a lasting impact on his life. "You put the uniform on, you've crawled in the mud, it gives you a different viewpoint than someone who didn't serve," he said.

OB-Gyn

After leaving the Army with the rank of major, Roe entered into private medical practice in Johnson City, Tenn., where he became something of a local institution. During his 31-year career in medicine, Roe estimates he delivered more than 5,000 babies, and he was widely regarded as one of the top OB-gyns in the region. "You're not going to talk to many women in Johnson City that he was not their doctor," said Johnson City Mayor Jane Myron.

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In 2003 Roe transitioned to politics, winning a four-year term on the Johnson City Commission. In 2007 he was reelected to the commission, this time as mayor. Roe put his beliefs about fiscal responsibility in government to the test; during his period of leadership, Johnson City's financial reserves grew from some $2.5 million to more than $20 million.

2006 Primary Defeat

When Roe first ran for Congress in 2006 he was practically just another face in the crowd. An astounding 13 Republicans ran for the 1st district seat that year after then-Rep. Bill Jenkins (R-Tenn.) announced his retirement. In a district known for long incumbencies, the race must have seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In the end, David Davis managed to beat the field, winning the GOP nomination with 22 percent of the vote; Roe finished fourth. Davis won an easy election victory that November over Democrat Rick Trent.

2008 Race

Roe wasn't about to be deterred by his relatively weak showing in the 2006 election. Armed with a new campaign slogan - "people, not politics" - the Johnson City mayor decided to challenge Davis in the 2008 primary.

Roe hammered at Davis for accepting money from corporate donors, claiming his campaign records showed "11 pages of special-interest money" in an era when voters "feel the country is being bought and sold." Roe refused to take contributions from PACs during the race, relying instead on individual donations and his own money. "I want to get elected to Congress without any of these money strings attached. Then you're absolutely bulletproof in voting for the people you represent," Roe said.

When the ballots were tallied, Roe was declared the winner of the Republican nomination by 486 votes. Davis refused to accept the outcome for nearly a week, claiming Democrats had participated illegally in the primary and tilted the margin to Roe. Ultimately, after threatening to mount a court challenge of the results, Davis conceded.

The 2008 race seems to have created bad blood between Roe and Davis, and their rivalry may be headed for a contentious third act. Davis has remained active in Tennessee politics since his primary loss and is reportedly considering a bid to recapture his old seat. He issued what may be the opening salvo in the 2010 race when he rebuked Roe in Politico for supporting the cap on bonuses at AIG, legislation he called "blatantly against the United States Constitution."

Roe, for his part, seems nonplussed by the possibility of another face-off with Davis. "If I do what I'm supposed to do, then the voters will take care of me just fine," he said.

Roe is a member of the Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Veteran Affairs committees.

The Issues

"I have a very simple philosophy of government," Roe declares on his web site. "I believe in less spending and less government intrusion."

Roe is a staunch supporter of gun rights and believes the government should lower taxes for everyone, regardless of income. He is passionately against abortion rights, believing that human life begins at conception, and is a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus.

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The Network

Current members of Roe's office include chief of staff Andrew Duke, legislative director Matt Meyer, communications director Amanda Little and scheduler Mary Randolph Carpenter.

Additional Resources