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John Kline (politician)

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John Kline
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2017
Preceded byBill Luther (Redistricting)
Succeeded byJason Lewis
Chair of the House Education and the Workforce Committee
In office
January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017
Preceded byGeorge Miller
Succeeded byVirginia Foxx
Personal details
Born
John Paul Kline Jr.

(1947-09-06) September 6, 1947 (age 77)
Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Christine Lewis (Divorced)
Vicky May Sheldon
Children2
EducationRice University (BA)
Shippensburg University (MPA)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1969–1994
Rank Colonel
Battles/warsVietnam War
Operation Restore Hope
AwardsLegion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (3)
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Presidential Service Badge
Navy Commendation Medal
John Kline's voice
Kline speaks in support of the E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2013
Recorded September 17, 2013

John Paul Kline Jr. (born September 6, 1947) is an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district from 2003 to 2017. The district included most of the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. A member of the Republican Party, Kline served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce from 2011 until 2017. Kline retired from Congress at the end of his term in January 2017.[1]

Early life and education

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Kline was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania,[2] the son of Litta Belle (née Rodman) and John Paul Kline, Sr. He is a 1965 graduate of W. B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. He earned a B.A. in biology at Rice University in 1969 and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1988.

Career

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Before his election to Congress, Kline was a 25-year career commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was a senior military aide to Presidents Carter and Reagan and was responsible for carrying the President's football.[3] During his military career, Kline was a Naval Aviator who served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, commanded all Marine aviation forces in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, flew "Marine One," the Presidential helicopter, in HMX-1, and served as Program Development Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps. He received numerous medals and commendations, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, three awards of the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Service Badge.[4] Kline retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel.

Personal life

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Kline and his second wife, Vicky, live in Burnsville, Minnesota.[5] Kline has two children and four grandchildren. Kline was previously married to Christine Lewis.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Kline supported President Bush's plan to increase troop levels in Iraq in January 2007.[8]

During Kline's 2008 bid for reelection he discussed his opposition to earmarks and his refusal to request them for his district.[9]

In 2006, Kline voted to maintain the legal definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.[10] He voted for the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013.[11]

Kline opposed restrictions on gun ownership.[12][13] He voted to repeal parts of the firearms ban for Washington, D.C.[14] He described himself as "a collector of antique guns and a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment".[15]

Kline stated, "Job creation is our nation's no. 1 challenge and Congress must make it our no. 1 priority."[16] He spoke in support of education reform designed to encourage parent involvement and teacher accountability.[17] He opposed any tax increases and stated that such strategies must be taken "off the table."[18] In remarks made to fellow representatives, Kline said, "we are watching a massive growth of government power, size, and spending, and I deem that unacceptable."[19]

In 2013 Kline proposed a bill that, among other adjustments, changed the rate on subsidized Stafford loans from 3.4% to 5.9%. The bill linked the rate of interest to the rate of US borrowing.[20]

Kline voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act.[21] His campaign site stated that "he opposed Obamacare because it is a seriously flawed law that was too big, was passed too fast, and does too much harm."[22]

Legislation

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On April 1, 2014, Kline introduced the Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 10; 113th Congress), a bill that would amend and reauthorize both the Charter School Programs and the Credit Enhancement for Charter School Initiatives under Title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 through fiscal year 2020 and combine them into a single authorization.[23][24] It was intended to streamline and improve the grants process and increase the funding for these programs from $250 million to $300 million.[25] The bill passed in the House on May 7, 2014.[24]

Political campaigns

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Kline made his first run for office in 1998, when he challenged 6th District Democratic incumbent Bill Luther and lost, taking 46% of the vote. He sought a rematch in 2000 and lost by only 5,400 votes, while George W. Bush narrowly carried the district.

After the 2000 census, Minnesota's congressional map was radically altered, though the number of districts was unchanged. The old 28-county 2nd District was dismantled, and a new 2nd District was created in the Twin Cities' southern suburbs. At the same time, the 6th District was pushed slightly north and made significantly more Republican than its predecessor. The remapping left the home of the 2nd District's freshman incumbent, Republican Mark Kennedy, just inside the reconfigured 6th District. Realizing this, Kline immediately filed for the Republican nomination in the new 2nd District; his home had been drawn into this district. After some consideration, Luther opted to run in the 2nd as well, even though it was thought to lean slightly Republican.

During the campaign, Luther came under fire when one of his supporters, Sam Garst, filed for the race under the banner of the "No New Taxes Party." This was done in retaliation for an ad the National Republican Congressional Committee ran in support of Kline that accused Luther of being soft on crime. Luther subsequently admitted that his campaign had known about Garst's false flag campaign.[26] Kline gained considerable momentum from this, and ultimately won handily, taking 53% of the vote to Luther's 42%.

Kline then defeated Democratic Burnsville City Councilwoman Teresa Daly to win a second term in 2004 and former FBI Special agent and whistleblower Coleen Rowley, one of Time magazine's "Persons of the Year", with 56% of the vote in 2006. In 2008 Kline defeated former Watertown mayor Steve Sarvi and increased his margin of victory to over 57% of the vote.

Kline accepted $11,000 in political contributions from former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham's PAC. After Cunningham's indictment on fraud charges, Kline donated the money to charity.[27]

Kline's reelection in 2012 made him the 40th U.S. Representative from Minnesota to win six House terms.[28]

On September 3, 2015, Kline announced that he would not seek reelection in 2016.[1][29]

Campaign finance

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In the 2014 election cycle, Kline's largest campaign contributor was the Apollo Group, a corporation that owns several for-profit educational institutions. The corporation gave $33,100 to Kline's campaign.[30]

Bill Maher's "Flip a District" contest

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In 2014, he was the "winner" of comedian Bill Maher's "Flip a District" from a group of 16 semifinalists nominated by viewers nationwide.[31][32]

The Star Tribune reported Kline planned to raise $100,000 to counteract the notoriety brought by Maher's campaign. Kline's spokesman said, "Minnesotans are tired of sleazy and slimy politics" but Kline's opponent "certainly isn't." Kline's opponent, Mike Obermueller, reported a 700% increase in fundraising.[33]

Electoral history

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2014
See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 2

In 2014 Kline again faced Democrat Mike Obermuller. This time incumbent Kline defeated Obermuller by a 17-point margin.[34]

2012
See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 2

In 2012, Kline defeated Democrat Mike Obermueller by 8%.[35]

2010
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 2
2008
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "GOP chairman John Kline to retire". The Hill. September 3, 2015.
  2. ^ "John Kline - U.S. Congress Votes Database - The Washington Post".
  3. ^ "Key Republican Ready to Roll Back Testing Mandates of 'No Child Left Behind'". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ "Congressman John Kline – Representative of Minnesota". John Kline's Biography. United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved December 22, 2006.
  5. ^ "Biography | U.S. House of Representatives". Kline.house.gov. Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  6. ^ "Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet". Imgur.
  7. ^ "Members". Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on January 22, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  8. ^ Diaz, Kevin (January 8, 2007). "Minnesota delegation offers cool response". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
  9. ^ Schmickle, Sharon. John Kline, Steve Sarvi clash over policies and tone of campaigns. Archived June 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Minn Post. October 20, 2008.
  10. ^ "2014 All Key Votes – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "2014 All Key Votes – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "National Special Interest Groups – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "National Special Interest Groups – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "2014 All Key Votes – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  15. ^ "Public Statements – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  16. ^ [1] Archived April 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "Education is a jobs issue". The Hill. June 23, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  18. ^ [2] Archived April 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Public Statements – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  20. ^ Henry, Devin (May 22, 2013). "House to take up Kline bill on student-loan interest rates". MINNPOST. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  21. ^ "H.R. 2 (112th): Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act (On Passage of the Bill)". GovTrack.us. January 19, 2011. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  22. ^ "Issues – John Kline for Congress". Klineforcongress.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  23. ^ "CBO – H.R. 10". Congressional Budget Office. April 18, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  24. ^ a b "H.R. 10 – All Actions". United States Congress. May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  25. ^ Bidwell, Allie (May 9, 2014). "House Steams Ahead on Charter School Expansion". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  26. ^ Scheck, Tom. Luther, Kline get heated in TV debate. Minnesota Public Radio, August 22, 2002.
  27. ^ Some Republicans are dumping donations given by Cunningham Accessed August 12, 2006
  28. ^ Ostermeier, Eric (July 18, 2013). "John Kline: Six Going on Seven?". Smart Politics.
  29. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick. "U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., will not seek re-election". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  30. ^ "Rep. John Kline: Campaign Finance/Money - Top Donors - Representative 2014 - OpenSecrets".
  31. ^ Aaron Blake (September 12, 2014). "Bill Maher announced he's targeting Rep. John Kline. He picked the wrong guy". The Washington Post.
  32. ^ "Ep 328 September 12, 2014: New Rules l Real Time with Bill Maher l HBO". HBO.
  33. ^ "Pol tries to turn tables on Bill Maher". Politico. September 16, 2014.
  34. ^ "MN Election Results". Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  35. ^ Anand, Priya (June 25, 2013). "With Michele Bachmann out, Democrats targetting John Kline". Politico. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 2nd congressional district
2003–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of the House Education Committee
2011–2017 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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