In 1994, the GOP swept to power, picking up 54 House seats. Of course, this led to numerous House freshmen. I’m going to examine every single Freshman from that year and see how their legacy played out.
Category One: High Success: Still in Congress/Governorships/Cabinet (as of 2011)
Brian Bilbray, San Diego —Lost in ’00 and came back to win a different House seat after the incumbent resigned due to corruption. Successful and non-controversial representative. Possibly vulnerable in 2012, depending on redistricting.
Saxby Chambliss, S. Georgia (current Senator)—Has been very conservative, non-controversial Senator (other than the Cleland election, as sapelcovits pointed out). Ranking Member of Ag. Committee.
Ray LaHood, C. Illinois (current SoTrans.)—I don’t think he’s done anything wrong. Obama likes him.
Tom Latham, C. Iowa—A sane conservative. Will probably fight Boswell in 2012 due to redistricting, but I think he’ll win. He’s a good guy, even if he’s a Republican.
Sam Brownback, Topeka—A non-sane conservative. Future Gov. of Kansas, loved by Religious Right. He won a Dem-held open seat in ’94 and proceeded to bring on teh crazy. Now he wants to ban all centaurs (look it up).
Ed Whitfield, W. Kentucky—Still a Representative, ideologically slightly moderate, but mostly conservative. Free from controversy.
Bob Ehrlich, Annapolis—Hopefully will not become Governor again this year. But hopefully he’ll stay out of sight. I really don’t know much about him.
Roger Wicker, N. Mississippi—Relatively new Senator, replaced Trent Lott. In middle of GOP Caucus.
Charlie Bass, W. New Hampshire—Will be a Rep. again next year after losing in ’06. Sane as well, defeated SSP fave Dick Swett.
Frank LoBiondo, S. New Jersey—Another moderate Republican, one of perhaps 10-15 in the caucus today. Broke term limits pledge.
Rodney Frelinghuysen, NW New Jersey—Yet another moderate Republican. Six members of his family have been in Congress.
Richard Burr, Winston-Salem—The definition of Meh. Anyone who reads SSP knows enough about this vulnerable Senator.
Sue Myrick, Charlotte—Former mayor, very popular, pretty conservative. One of many anonymous GOPers who follow party line but don’t speak up.
Steve Chabot, Cincinnati—Will be back in Congress this year, most likely. Another noncontroversial conservative.
Steven Latourette, Cleveland Suburbs—Another rational Republican, similar to Latham, Frelinghuysen, although pro-life. He defeated an incumbent freshman and probably has this seat for as long as he wants it, in my opinion.
Tom Coburn, E. Oklahoma—Bring on teh crazy. Coburn is the definition of a wingnut Senator, one of the 3 most conservative in the Senate, I believe. However, he’s pretty safe in his seat and is a strong campaigner.
Lindsey Graham, Upstate SC—Yet another rational Republican. Probably will lose in his next Senate primary, but still. He’s yet another Senator from this class. They had ambitious Congressmen.
Mac Thornberry, W. Texas—Crushed incumbent Bill Sarpalius in this yellow dog district, and has been safe since. However, we can see that at this point, there will be fewer than 25 active politicians left from this 70-ish+ person class after only 16 years.
Doc Hastings, Yakima—WA’s delegation went from 8-1 Democrat to 7-2 Republican, but he’s the only one left. GOP head of the Resources Committee, advocates for ruining our planet.
Jon Kyl, Arizona—Now on to those elected as Senators. Kyl is second-in-command for the GOP and has been very conservative and very successful. He impresses me.
Olympia Snowe, Maine—A moderate, although not so much on HCR. Will retire in two years, I believe. Has had huge amount of tragedy in her life, read about her.
James Inhofe, Oklahoma—Where to begin? Global warming mocker, religious nutcase, IDK what else to say. At least no corruption, that’s the only plus.
And, that’s it for successful, non-corrupt politicians from the class of 1994. 22 members. Part two will be the corrupt/scandal-plagued ones and part three the retired/retiring ones. Please respond with what you think of this diary set, I’m interested.
Olympia Snowe. You’re right when you said she’s had a tragic life, I don’t know how anyone can go on after losing both their parents, an uncle, an husband, and a step son.
OK, I could look it up, but that sounds like too delicious a story not to share.
lots of Democrats were furious at how he ran his 2002 campaign attacking incumbent Senator Max Cleland, a veteran who got an amputation, on national security.