Rob Wittman

Infobox_Congressman
name = Rob Wittman


date of birth= February 3, 1959
place of birth= Washington, D.C.
state = Virginia
district = 1st
term_start= December 13, 2007
preceded = Jo Ann Davis
succeeded =
party = Republican
religion = Episcopalian
residence= Montross, Virginia
spouse = Kathryn Jane Sisson
occupation= environmental health specialist
alma_mater= Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth University

Robert J. Wittman (born February 3, 1959) is currently the Republican representative of Virginia's 1st congressional district. The district stretches from the Washington suburbs to the Hampton Roads area, with much of its population in the cities of Hampton and Newport News. It is sometimes called "America's First District" because the site of Jamestown is located there. [ [http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/102007/10082007/323317/palm Jo Ann Davis ] ]

Wittman grew up in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He received a Bachelor's degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. While at Virginia Tech, he spent the summers working at a tomato cannery and on a fishing vessel. He later earned a Master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph. D. from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Wittman previously served on the Montross Town Council from 1986 to 1996 and as Mayor of the Town of Montross from 1992 to 1996. Two of his major accomplishments in this office were the overhaul of the sewage system and the development of a computerized system for tax billing. From 1996 to 2005, Wittman served on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, the last two years as chairman. He helped with the creation of new libraries and pushed for raises in teacher salaries.

In 2005, Wittman was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 99th district. He served on the Agricultral; Chesapeake and Natural Resources; and Police and Public Safety Committees while in the state House.

Outisde of politics, Wittman worked for 20 years with the Virginia Department of Health. He served as an environmental health specialist and later was field director for the Division of Shellfish Sanitation.

On November 10, 2007 Wittman was nominated by the 1st District Republican committee as the Republican candidate in the special election to succeed the late Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis who died in October 2007. Wittman defeated Democrat Phil Forgit‎. Wittman was sworn in on December 13, 2007 [ [http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/vacancies.html List of vacancies according to the Office of the Clerk] ] [ [http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1197624921112340.xml&coll=2 Ohio's new congressman Bob Latta sworn in (also mentions Wittman)] ] .

Wittman has carried on many of Jo Ann Davis' issues, including removal of the ghost fleet, support of the Fairtax, and veterans' issues. He has also pushed for environmental and seniors' issues.

References

External links

* [http://wittman.house.gov/ Congressman Rob Wittman] official U.S. House website
* [http://www.robwittmanforcongress.com/ Rob Wittman] official campaign website