Kevin McCarthy (politician)

Infobox Congressman


name = Kevin McCarthy


width = 170px
state = California
district = 22nd
party = Republican
term_start= January 4 2007
preceded = Bill Thomas
succeeded =
date of birth = Birth date and age|1965|01|26
place of birth = Bakersfield, California
alma_mater=California State University, Bakersfield
occupation=small business owner, political assistant
spouse = Judy McCarthy
children = Connor McCarthy
Meghan McCarthy
religion = Baptist
current occupation =
residence = Bakersfield, California
website = [http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov Congressman Kevin McCarthy]

Kevin McCarthy (born January 26 1965) is a U.S. politician who is the Congressman for the 22nd District of California. Prior to his election as a Congressman, he had served two terms in the California State Assembly, including two years as the Republican Floor Leader.

Born in Bakersfield, California, McCarthy is a fourth-generation resident of Kern County. McCarthy opened his first business, Kevin O's Deli, at the age of 21 to raise money to go to California State University, Bakersfield, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in marketing in 1989 and Master of Business Administration in 1994. McCarthy ran several other small businesses prior to his entry into the political field.

From 1999 to 2001 McCarthy served as Chairman of the Young Republican National Federation, one of the strongest political organizations in the country.

From the late 1990s until 2002, McCarthy served as the District Director for U.S. Congressman Bill Thomas, the Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. In 2000, McCarthy was elected as a Trustee on the Kern Community College District Board, winning 13% more votes than his nearest competitor.

In 2002, McCarthy was elected to the State Assembly with 76% of the vote to represent the heavily-Republican 32nd District. In 2003, he was unanimously elected Republican Assembly Leader, effective January 2004, becoming the first freshman Assemblymember and the first Kern County legislator to hold the post. In November 2004, McCarthy was re-elected to the Assembly with 79% of the vote. In his role as party leader, McCarthy attempted to portray himself as a working for bipartisan reform. He made business policies, especially those affecting small propriatorships and partnerships, one of his primary issues. He also worked closely with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

On November 7 2006, McCarthy was elected to represent the 22nd Congressional District, replacing his former boss, retiring congressman Thomas. Since entering Congress, he has been labeled a rising star within his party. [Politico (2008). [http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/13038.html Republicans’ hopes rest on fresh faces] . Retrieved September 2, 2008.] As a freshman, he was appointed to the Republican Steering Committee.

McCarthy and his wife Judy have two children. They are lifelong residents of Bakersfield.

Committee Assignments

*Financial Services Committee
**Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
**Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity
**Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
*Committee On House Administration
**Subcommittee on Elections (Ranking Member)
**Joint Commitee on Printing
*Assistant Whip
*House Republican Steering Committee

References

External links

* [http://kevinmccarthy.house.gov/ U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy] official House site
*CongBio|M001165|name=Kevin McCarthy
* [http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bin/can_detail/H6CA22125 Federal Election Commission — Mr Kevin McCarthy] campaign finance reports and data
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Kevin_McCarthy.htm On the Issues — Kevin McCarthy] issue positions and quotes
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary_newmems.asp?CID=N00028152 OpenSecrets.org — Kevin McCarthy] campaign contributions
* [http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=MCA32013 Project Vote Smart — Representative Kevin McCarthy (CA)] profile
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Kevin_McCarthy SourceWatch Congresspedia — Kevin McCarthy] profile
* [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/m001165/ Washington Post — Congress Votes Database: Kevin McCarthy] voting record
* [http://www.mccarthyforcongress.com Kevin McCarthy for Congress] official campaign site