Biography:

Bart Gordon was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., where he still resides. He graduated in 1967 from Murfreesboro Central High School. He received a bachelor's degree in 1971 from Middle Tennessee State University and a law degree in 1973 from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He practiced law and served on the state Democratic Executive Committee.

Gordon was appointed executive director of the Tennessee Democratic Party in 1979. He was chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, 1981-83.

Gordon was first elected to the U.S. House in 1984.

He married Leslie Baker Peyton in June 1998. The couple has one child.

Past Campaigns:

Bart Gordon came to the U.S. House in 1984 by winning the seat vacated by now-Vice President Albert Gore Jr., who was elected to the U.S. Senate that year. He defeated Republican Joe Simpkins with 63 percent of the vote, but during the campaign he had to deal with the potentially explosive issue of a paternity suit that had been brought against him. The suit was later dismissed.

Gordon defeated Republican Gregory Cochran in 1990 with 70 percent of the vote.

He was re-elected in 1992 with 58 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Marsha Blackburn, now a member of Congress. He defeated Republican Steve Gill in 1994 with 51 percent of the vote.

Gordon was re-elected in 1996 with 54 percent of the vote, defeating Gill again. In 1998, Gordon was re-elected, defeating Republican Walt Massey with 55 percent. He was re-elected in 2000 with 62 percent of the vote.

He defeated Republican Robert Garrison in November 2002, with 66 percent of the vote.

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