Ben Chandler, U.S. Congress

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Chandler

Albert Benjamin "Ben" Chandler III (born September 12, 1959) is the U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 6th congressional district, serving since a special election in 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life, education and career

Chandler was born in Versailles, Kentucky. He received a BA and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky at Lexington, Kentucky, and became a private practice lawyer.

Ben Chandler's grandfather Albert Chandler, better known as Happy Chandler, served as Governor of Kentucky, Commissioner of Baseball, and as a U.S. Senator.

Early political career

Chandler was State Auditor from 1991 to 1995, and Attorney General of Kentucky from 1995 until 2003.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Subcommittee on Technical and Tactical Intelligence

Caucus memberships

Healthy Forests Caucus

Horse Caucus (Co-Chair)

International Conservation Caucus (Co-Chair)

Public Broadcasting Caucus (Co-Chair)

Wildlife Refuge Caucus

Chandler is a Blue Dog Democrat as well as a member of the House New Democrat Coalition. His name had been rumored as a candidate for governor for the 2007 election and Senator in the 2008 election. Chandler, however, announced on November 30, 2006, that he would not seek the governorship in 2007, stating he could better serve the Commonwealth in Congress: "With rising seniority and a Democratic majority, I have the opportunity to do so much more for my constituents and for the people of Kentucky." Chandler told "Kentucky Newsmakers" that he would not start holding so-called town hall meetings in 2009, citing a lack of "civility" at forums regarding health care. Chandler ultimately voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Political campaigns

Chandler was the Democratic candidate for governor in the election of 2003. He was defeated in that election by his Republican opponent, Congressman Ernie Fletcher. Fletcher resigned from Congress in order to become governor, and a special election was held for his seat in February 2004. Chandler became the Democratic candidate and won the election, defeating state Senator Alice Forgy Kerr by a 55%-to-43% margin.

As a superdelegate in the 2008 United States presidential election, Chandler endorsed Barack Obama. Chandler's 2008 Republican opponent in the race for Congress was attorney Jon Larson.

2010

Chandler was challenged by Republican nominee Andy Barr in the November 2010 election. The Republicans made large gains across the country in that election and regained a majority in the House of Representatives; however, Chandler survived by a narrow margin, as results showed him leading Barr by only six hundred votes. The results were re-canvassed due to the closeness of the outcome, but they remained the same, and Chandler was certified as the election winner on 12 November 2010.