From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Fitzpatrick
Mike Fitzpatrick
Mike Fitzpatrick Spouse(s) Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Residence Levittown, Pennsylvania
Alma mater St. Thomas University, Dickinson School of
Law
Occupation Attorney
Religion Roman Catholic
Michael G. "Mike" Fitzpatrick (born June 28, 1963) is the
U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional
district. He is a member of the Republican Party. He was
reelected to Congress in 2010, and previously represent-
ed the district from 2005 to 2007, but lost to Patrick Mur-
phy in 2006.
Early life
Fitzpatrick was born and raised in Bucks county. He grad-
uated from Bishop Egan High School, now Conwell-Egan
Catholic High School, in Fairless Hills. Mike moved down
to Florida to attend St. Thomas University with an acade-
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives mic scholarship where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in
Pennsylvania’s
from Pennsylvania’s 8th district 1985 from the school’s Honors Program. He then earned
Incumbent his law degree from the Dickinson School of Law at Penn
State University. He was named Business Manager of the
Assumed office
Dickinson Journal of International Law.[citation needed]
January 3, 2011
After graduating law school in 1988, Fitzpatrick was
Preceded by Patrick Murphy admitted to the practice of law at the Supreme Court of
In office Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of New Jersey. In
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 2000, he practiced at the United States Supreme Court.[ci-
tation needed]
Preceded by Jim Greenwood
Succeeded
by
Patrick Murphy
County commissioner
In January 1995, Fitzpatrick was appointed to the Bucks
Member of the Bucks County
Board of Commissioners County Board of Commissioners by an 11-member panel
of county judges. The appointment was made to fill the
In office unexpired term of Mark Schweiker, who had been elect-
January 17, 1995[1] – January 3, 2005
ed Lieutenant Governor. Fitzpatrick, who was an attor-
Preceded by Mark Schweiker ney at a firm active in county affairs, was the candidate
preferred by county Republican Party leaders.[2] The ap-
Succeeded Jim Cawley
by pointment was not without controversy, however, as
some claimed the judges had acted solely on the recom-
Personal details mendation of the county Republican Party.[3]
Born June 28, 1963 (1963-06-28)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political Republican
party
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Fitzpatrick
First term in the U.S. House of Committee assignments
• • Subcommittee on Capital Markets and
Representatives Government-Sponsored Enterprises
Fitzpatrick served on the United States House Committee • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
on Financial Services and the United States House Com- (Vice Chair)
mittee on Small Business.
In May 2006, Fitzpatrick introduced the Deleting On-
line Predators Act of 2006, which requires most schools
Congressional campaigns
and libraries to actively restrict minors from access to
"Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat
2004
Rooms." In July 2004, popular moderate Republican Jim Green-
In late July, the DOPA Act overwhelmingly passed the wood unexpectedly withdrew from his re-election cam-
House. Speaking before the vote was taken, Fitzpatrick paign. In the party convention held to select Green-
said, "The social networking sites have become, in a wood’s replacement on the ballot, the more conservative
sense, a happy hunting ground for child predators". [4] Fitzpatrick won the nomination over Greenwood’s
choice, state Senator Joe Conti, thanks to the backing of
Bucks County Republican Party boss Harry Fawkes. Fitz-
Career between terms patrick went on to face liberal activist Virginia "Ginny"
After the loss to Murphy, Fitzpatrick re-entered the prac- Schrader (something of a "sacrificial lamb candidate,"
tice of law, taking a position with Middletown Township chosen before Greenwood withdrew) in the general elec-
law firm—and major Republican Party contributor[5] -- tion.[15][16] Fitzpatrick won the general election against
Begley, Carlin, and Mandio.[6][7] In the fall of 2007, the Schrader 55.3%-44.3%, with the remaining vote split be-
Bucks County Commissioners asked Fitzpatrick, along tween two minor candidates.[17] The Pennsylvania 8th
with former Commissioner Andy Warren and former District includes all of Bucks County, a sliver of Mont-
Common Pleas Judge William Hart Rufe to co-chair an ef- gomery County, and parts of two wards in Northeast
fort to pass a ballot initiative authorizing the county to Philadelphia.[18]
borrow $87 million for open space preservation.[8] The
initiative, which was also endorsed by Congressman Mur- 2006
phy, passed by a large margin. See also: United States House of Representatives elec-
tions in Pennsylvania, 2006#8th Congressional district
Return to the U.S. House of Fitzpatrick faced Democrat Patrick Murphy in the
November general election of 2006.
Representatives In January 2006, Fitzpatrick said he had donated to
charity the $21,500 he received from political action
On November 2, 2010, Fitzpatrick defeated Patrick Mur-
committees headed by U.S. Representatives Bob Ney (R-
phy to reclaim his old seat. He was sworn-in on January 5,
OH), Tom DeLay, (R-TX), and Randy "Duke" Cunningham
2011 and has joined the Republican Main Street Partner-
(R-CA).[19]
ship. His term is scheduled to expire in January 2013.
Fitzpatrick was endorsed by several environmental
groups including the Sierra Club. He was the only incum-
Swearing-in
bent Republican congressman in Pennsylvania who had
On January 5, 2011, Fitzpatrick failed to attend the the support of the environmentalist lobby during this
swearing-in ceremony for members because he was at- election.
tending an alleged fundraiser[9] in the Capitol Building, The Cook Political Report rated this race as "Leans
which is against the law. As a result, two votes that he Republican". However, Congressional Quarterly rated
cast prior to taking the oath were nullified.[10] The oath this race as "Toss-up" (see Notable U.S. House elections,
was administered the following day.[11] A spokesperson 2006 — Pennsylvania). An October 30, 2006 poll by Con-
for Fitzpatrick denied the event was a fundraiser and as- stituent Dynamics showed Fitzpatrick trailing Murphy
serted that donations made went to cover the cost of 47% to 50% ([2]).
campaign-provided buses to Washington.[12] Some Con- On Election night, the votes between the two candi-
gressional ethics experts contend that the reception was dates were within 1%, with Fitzpatrick trailing by just
in fact a fundraiser and have called for an investigation over 1,500 votes out of nearly 250,000 cast.
by the House Ethics Committee.[13][14] On November 8, with all precincts reporting, Murphy
led by 1,521 votes. Philadelphia television station NBC 10
later reported that Fitzpatrick had conceded the election
to Murphy.[20] He along with Mike Sodrel (R-IN) and Joe
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Fitzpatrick
Schwarz (R-MI) were the only freshman Republicans to
be defeated in 2006 (the latter albeit in a primary).
References
• "Michael G. Fitzpatrick Biography".
2008 fitzpatrick.house.gov. Archived from the original on
See also: United States House of Representatives elec- 2006-08-31. http://web.archive.org/web/
tions in Pennsylvania, 2008#8th Congressional district 20060831013906/fitzpatrick.house.gov/Biography/.
Throughout 2007, there was much speculation that Fitz- [1] The Morning Call
patrick would seek to reclaim the seat in Congress that he [2] The Philadelphia Inquirer
lost to Murphy.[21] Fitzpatrick laid the rumors to rest in [3] The Morning Call
January, 2008 by announcing that he would not be run- [4] "Social network sites face US ban". BBC News. July
ning for Congress, but instead would challenge freshman 31, 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/
state Representative Chris King in the 142nd District. De- 5230506.stm. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
spite charges by some Democrats that he was "afraid to [5] Above Average Jane Blog: Mike Fitzpatrick’s
run against Murphy because he knows he would lose," Political Origins
Fitzpatrick claimed that he was interested in the job be- [6] Attorney Michael Fitzpatrick, Begley, Carlin &
cause of his "passion ... in solving local problems and Mandio, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
serving the local community," as well as a desire to [7] Pay to play not a given in Bucks (phillyBurbs.com) |
"change the way business is done in Harrisburg." [22] Intelligencer
However, family health problems forced Fitzpatrick [8] Big push for open space support (phillyBurbs.com)
to end his bid for state representative in early February. | Outdoor
Fitzpatrick yielded his spot on the ballot to Republican [9] "Bucks Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick faces ethics
activist Frank Farry (who went on to win the seat), and complaint over swearing-in snafu". Montgomery
supported Doylestown pharmaceutical company execu- Media. January 15, 2011.
tive, Thomas Manion, for the congressional seat he once http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2011/
held. 01/15/perkasie_news_herald/news/
doc4d30d9886faf3245824835.txt.
2010 [10] "House nullifies votes by 2 representatives who
skipped swearing-in". Cleveland.com. January 8,
See also: United States House of Representatives elec-
2011. http://www.cleveland.com/nation/
tions in Pennsylvania, 2010#District 8
index.ssf/2011/01/
On January 23, 2010, Fitzpatrick announced he would
house_nullifies_votes_by_2_rep.html.
once again run for Congress in November.[23][24] He won
[11] "Votes for GOP members who missed oath ruled
the Republican nomination with 77% of the vote in the
invalid". Washingtonpost.com. January 6, 2011.
May primary.[25] A Franklin and Marshall poll taken in
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/
mid-September 2010 suggested the race was leaning to-
votes-of-gop-lawmakers-who-mis.html.
wards Fitzpatrick at that time. On November 2, Fitz-
[12] "More Accusations Leveled At Rep. Mike
patrick defeated Murphy and was elected the Congress-
Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.)". CBSPhilly.com. January 8, 2011.
man for the 8th district.[26]
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/01/08/
more-accusations-leveled-at-rep-mike-fitzpatrick-
Personal life r-pa/.
[13] "Did Rep Who Skipped Swearing In For Fundraiser
Fitzpatrick and his wife Kathleen, a former teacher, re-
Break The Law?". huffingtonpost.com. January 7,
side in Levittown in Middletown Township, along with
2011. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/
their six children.
07/did-rep-who-skipped-swear_n_805904.html.
Fitzpatrick is involved with the Boy Scouts of Ameri-
[14] "More trouble for Fitzpatrick?". www.mcall.com.
ca and is a member of the Temple Lower Bucks Hospital
January 7, 2011. http://www.mcall.com/news/
Board of Directors, the Conwell-Egan Catholic Board of
nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-dc-congressman-
Advisors, the Knights of Columbus, the Levittown Bristol
fitzpatrick-ethics-20110107,0,6435857.story.
Kiwanis Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the
[15] Doylestown Patriot - Schrader responds to
Brehon Law Society. He is also an Eagle Scout from the
Greenwood’s retirement
Bucks County Council and former president of that coun-
[16] 2006 House, Crystal Ball, U.Va
cil. He was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for his
[17] "Election Results - CBSNews.com". CBS News.
service.[27][28]
http://election.cbsnews.com/election2004/
Fitzpatrick was diagnosed with colon cancer in June
county/u_s__house_pa8.shtml.
2008. He reported in November 2008 that the cancer went
[18] "Site Unavailable". Dos.state.pa.us.
into remission after chemotherapy.[29]
http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bcel/lib/bcel/
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Fitzpatrick
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Succeeded by
Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional dis- Incumbent
trict
2011–present
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Succeeded by
Jim Greenwood from Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional dis- Patrick Murphy
trict
2005–2007
Political offices
Preceded by Member of the Bucks County Board of Com- Succeeded by
Mark Schweiker missioners Jim Cawley
1995–2005
United States order of precedence
Preceded by United States Representatives by seniority Succeeded by
Tom Reed 340th Tim Walberg
R-New York R-Michigan
elections/cong_reap2003.pdf. Retrieved http://www.webcitation.org/5f3whCgAu.
2010-08-23. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
[19] http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/
[20]
111-01222006-601349.html
NBC10.com. Fitzpatrick Concedes Defeat.
External links
2006-11-08. • Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick official U.S. House site
[21] Mcall.com: Pennsylvania Ave. Blog • Mike Fitzpatrick for U.S. Congress official campaign
[22] Fitzpatrick to run for state House site
(phillyBurbs.com) | Courier Times • Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
[23] Weckselblatt, Gary (2010-01-13). "Report: • Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United
Fitzpatrick in D.C. rounding up support". States Congress
PhillyBurbs.com. http://www.phillyburbs.com/ • Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
news/news_details/article/92/2010/january/13/ • Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings
report-fitzpatrick-in-dc-rounding-up- at Project Vote Smart
support.html. Retrieved 2010-08-23. • Congressional profile at GovTrack
[24] [1] • Congressional profile at OpenCongress
[25] Walsh, Brian (2010-07-08). "2010 Race of the Day: • Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
PA-08". Townhall.com. http://townhall.com/ • Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
columnists/BrianWalsh/2010/07/08/ • Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at
2010_race_of_the_day_pa-08. Retrieved LegiStorm.com
2010-09-18. • Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal
[26] "Franklin and Marshall College Poll". Election Commission
http://edisk.fandm.edu/FLI/keystone/pdf/ • Appearances on C-SPAN programs
key8CDsep10_1.pdf. Retrieved 5 October 2010. Persondata
[27] Hasel, David E. (Spring 2002). "contests New Bucks Name Fitzpatrick, Mike
County,Pennsylvania Boy Scouts to Launch the
Essay Contest". Laws of Life. Alternative names
http://www.lawsoflife.org/pdf/lolnewsletters/ Short description American politician
2002_Spring.pdf. Retrieved 2007-09-05. Date of birth 1963-06-28
[28] "Mike Fitzpatrick for Congress2006".
Place of birth Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
FitzpatrickforCongress.com.
http://www.fitzpatrickforcongress.com/. Date of death
Retrieved 2008-03-26. Place of death
[29] John Mullane (2008-11-27). "A second chance".
Bucks County Courier Times, archived at WebCite.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mike Fitzpatrick
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Fitzpatrick&oldid=457418056"
Categories:
• 1963 births
• St. Thomas University alumni
• American people of Irish descent
• Living people
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania county commissioners
• Pennsylvania lawyers
• People from Bucks County, Pennsylvania
• People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania Republicans
• Eagle Scouts
• Conwell-Egan Catholic High School
• People with cancer
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