Biographical Profile for Jim Demint
| Previous Candidate for United States Senate, South Carolina |
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General: (political statement of goals, objectives, views, philosophies)
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Elected as South Carolina's 55th senator in 2004, DeMint quickly established himself as one of the most effective conservative leaders in Washington, seeking to enact innovative solutions to improve America for future generations. He has been a tireless advocate for smaller government, individual liberty, a strong national defense and traditional values.
DeMint has earned national acclaim for his work to end the system of earmarks, also referred to as the "congressional favor factory." Following the November elections in 2006, the senator stood up against big spenders in Congress and stopped over 10,000 wasteful pork projects. Famed Washington journalist Robert Novak called him a "hero." Wall Street Journal editor Steve Moore said the senator's actions saved Americans about $17 billion and called him the "taxpayers' greatest ally." In early 2007 DeMint also fought for commonsense immigration reform by leading the effort to defeat the amnesty bill and calling on government to first secure our borders, enforce the laws already passed, and streamline the legal immigration system.
In late 2006, he was elected as chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, which is comprised of the majority of Republican senators and works to advance conservative legislation. Last year, just as Ronald Reagan had done over 20 years earlier, DeMint delivered the keynote address to the nation's largest gathering of conservative activists at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). He was recently ranked as the Senate's most conservative member by National Journal and as the No. 1 senator voting for responsible tax and spending policies by the National Taxpayers Union. DeMint understands the greatness of a country is found in its people and values, not in its government.
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Personal: (gender, age, marital status, spouse's name and age, children's name and
ages, home town, current residence)
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Jim, born in Greenville, SC on September 2, 1951, lives with his wife Debbie and four children in live in his birthtown.
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Education: (times and places of schools, colleges, major, degrees, activities, sports)
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After graduating from Wade Hampton High School (named after South Carolina's 34th U.S. Senator), he earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and received his Masters in Business Administration from Clemson University.
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Profession: (profession and work experience outside politics)
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Owner, The DeMint Group, Market Research Company, 1983-1998.
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Military: (branch, years of service, active duty experience, highest rank, medals,
honors, discharge date and type)
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None.
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Civic: (past and present organizations, charities involvement)
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Downtown Greenville Rotary
Vice Chair, Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Board Chair, Greenville Christian Businessmen's Committee
Board Member, Greenville Family Partnership
Board Chair, Greenville Vocational Rehabilitation Center
Member, Presbyterian Church of America
Board Member, Roper Mount Science Center
Board Member, Speech, Hearing, and Learning Center.
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Political: (dates and titles of previously held political offices)
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Committee Assignments
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Foreign Relations Committee
Joint Economic Committee
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Religion: (current and past religious affiliations, beliefs)
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Member of the Presbyterian Church of America.
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Accomplishments: (significant accomplishments, awards, achievements)
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DeMint has earned national acclaim for his work to end the system of earmarks, also referred to as the "congressional favor factory." Following the November elections in 2006, the senator stood up against big spenders in Congress and stopped over 10,000 wasteful pork projects. Famed Washington journalist Robert Novak called him a "hero." Wall Street Journal editor Steve Moore said the senator's actions saved Americans about $17 billion and called him the "taxpayers' greatest ally." In early 2007 DeMint also fought for commonsense immigration reform by leading the effort to defeat the amnesty bill and calling on government to first secure our borders, enforce the laws already passed, and streamline the legal immigration system.
Last year, just as Ronald Reagan had done over 20 years earlier, DeMint delivered the keynote address to the nation's largest gathering of conservative activists at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
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