Don Beyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Beyer
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Lee |
| Succeeded by | Martin Heinrich |
| Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee | |
| In office January 16, 2020 – February 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Carolyn Maloney |
| Succeeded by | Martin Heinrich |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 8th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Moran |
| United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein | |
| In office September 8, 2009 – May 29, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Peter Coneway |
| Succeeded by | Suzan G. LeVine |
| 36th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
| In office January 13, 1990 – January 17, 1998 |
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| Governor | Douglas Wilder George Allen |
| Preceded by | Douglas Wilder |
| Succeeded by | John Hager |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr.
June 20, 1950 Trieste, Free Territory of Trieste (now Italy) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
Carolyn McInerney
(m. 1972; div. 1986)Megan Carroll
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Williams College (BA) George Mason University |
Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. (born June 20, 1950) is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat. He currently serves as a U.S. Representative for Virginia's 8th district. He has held this position since 2015.
Beyer is a member of the Democratic Party. His district covers parts of Northern Virginia, including cities like Alexandria and Falls Church. Before becoming a U.S. Representative, he owned car dealerships in Virginia. He was also the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1998. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
In 2014, Beyer ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the election and has been reelected several times.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Donald Sternoff Beyer Jr. was born in Trieste, which is now part of Italy. His father was an officer in the U.S. Army. His grandmother, Clara Mortenson Beyer, was important in workers' rights. She worked for the government during the New Deal era. His grandfather, Otto S. Beyer Jr., led the National Mediation Board. Don Beyer was the oldest of six children. He grew up in Washington, D.C.
In 1968, he graduated from Gonzaga College High School. He was the salutatorian, meaning he was the second-highest ranked student in his class. In 1972, he graduated from Williams College with a degree in economics. He earned high honors, including being a Phi Beta Kappa member. This is a special honor society for students with excellent grades. He was also a Presidential Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship winner.
Business Career
After college, Beyer started working at his father's Volvo car dealership. In 1986, he and his brother Michael bought the business. They expanded it into the Beyer Automotive Group. This group grew to include nine dealerships selling brands like Volvo, Kia, and Volkswagen. Beyer sold his share of the dealerships to his brother in 2019.
Beyer also served on the boards of several companies. These included Demosphere International, which makes soccer software, and History Associates. He was also on the board of First Union National Bank.
Community Involvement
For almost 20 years, Don Beyer has been very active in his community. He has held leadership roles in many business and charity groups. These include the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce and the American Cancer Society.
He has received many awards for his community work. These include the Grand Award for Highway Safety and the James C. Wheat Jr. Award. In 2017, he received the Leaders for Democracy Award. He also got the Community Integration Leadership Award. In 2021, he received the Excellence in Public Service Award.
Beyer led the Alexandria Community Trust, a local charity. He also chaired Jobs for Virginia Graduates. This program helps high school students avoid dropping out. He was also president of Youth for Tomorrow, a home for troubled teens.
In 2022, Arlington Magazine named Beyer "Best Elected Official."
Political Career
Beyer started his political involvement in 1985. He helped with Gerald L. Baliles's campaign for governor. In 1986, Governor Baliles appointed Beyer to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. This board helps manage Virginia's transportation system.
Beyer was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1989. He won reelection in 1993. As lieutenant governor, he was the president of the Virginia Senate. He also led commissions on economic recovery and disabilities. He helped promote high-tech industries in Virginia. He also worked on welfare reform laws in the state.
In 1997, Beyer was the Democratic candidate for governor. He lost that election to Jim Gilmore. He later supported Mark Warner and Howard Dean in their political campaigns. In 2007-2008, he strongly supported Barack Obama for president. He helped with Obama's campaign finances.
In 2009, President Obama nominated Beyer to be the United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. He served in this role until 2013. As ambassador, he helped Americans living overseas. He held meetings for them to share their concerns with U.S. officials.
In 2022, after several mass shootings, Beyer suggested a new law. He proposed a large tax increase on assault-style guns. He hoped this would help create new ways to achieve gun control.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
On January 24, 2014, Beyer announced he would run for the U.S. House of Representatives. He wanted to represent Virginia's 8th congressional district. This was his first election campaign since 1997. He won the Democratic primary election in June with 45.7% of the votes.
On November 4, he won the general election with 63.1% of the vote. This district is known for being very supportive of Democratic candidates. Beyer is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group of lawmakers works to advance progressive policies.
He has been reelected several times since then. In 2016, he won with 68.6% of the vote. In 2018, he won with 76.3%. In 2020, he won with 75.8%. In 2022, he won with 73.5%.
His Work in Congress
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Beyer has often spoken out against the Trump administration. He was the first lawmaker to suggest that a White House adviser should lose his security clearance. He also wrote the Cost of Police Misconduct Act. This bill would create a public database of police misconduct complaints.
As of 2022, Beyer has voted with President Joe Biden's positions 100% of the time. He also voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack.
Committees and Groups
Beyer serves on important committees in the House of Representatives:
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Subcommittee on Trade
- Subcommittee on Tax
- Joint Economic Committee (He is the senior Democrat from the House on this committee)
He is also part of several groups, called caucuses, in Congress:
- New Democrat Coalition
- Congressional Arts Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
- Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans
- U.S.-Japan Caucus
- Medicare for All Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional Freethought Caucus
- Americans Abroad Caucus
- Congressional Blockchain Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
Personal Life
Don Beyer is married to Megan. They have two children together, Clara and Grace. He also has two children, Don and Stephanie, from a previous marriage. He is a grandfather to two grandchildren. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Images for kids
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Beyer as Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
