House Republican Leadership Elections
New GOP Leaders Take Helm
Compiled by washingtonpost.com
February 2, 2006
Members of the House Republican caucus elected Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) to the post of majority leader on Feb. 2. Boehner defeated Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) 122-109. Boehner's election was seen as an upset victory over Blunt, who had served as the party's acting majority leader in the House was widely favored to ascend to the majority leader post. Blunt retained his previous position as House majority whip. House members also elected a new Policy Committee Chairman, Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.).
The Majority Leader vacancy occurred when Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.) stepped down as leader on Jan. 7. DeLay was indicted on Sept. 28, 2005, on felony criminal charges of money laundering and conspiracy, related to the allegedly illegal use of corporate funds in a 2002 state election. He was forced to resign his once hugely influential leadership post, and awaits trial. DeLay has maintained he is innocent of the charges.
DeLay's resignation and the campaigning that followed it put three House GOP leadership positions in play on Feb. 2: Majority Leader, Majority Whip, and Policy Committee Chairman. The following are snapshot profiles of the new leadership team.
Majority Leader | Majority Whip | Policy Committee Chairman
Rep. John Boehner (Ohio)
Current Leadership Position: Majority LeaderDistrict: Ohio 8th.
Age:56
Education: B.A., Xavier University.
Elected to Congress:1990
Experience: U.S. House, 1991-present; Ohio Legislature, 1984-90; trustee, Union Township, 1982-84.
Family: Boehner and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters -- Lindsay and Tricia.
Voting Record | Web site
Quote: "I think what you’re going to see us do is rededicate ourselves to dealing with big issues that the American people expect us to deal with."
Rep. Roy Blunt (Mo.)
Current Leadership Position: House Majority Whip.District: Missouri 7th.
Age:56
Education: B.A., Southwest Baptist University, 1970. M.A., Southwest Missouri State University, 1972.
Elected to Congress: 1996
Voting Record | Web site
Rep. Adam H. Putnam (Fla.)
District:Florida 12th.Age:31
Education:BS University of Florida
Elected to Congress:2000
Voting Record | Web site
