Judd Gregg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Judd Gregg
United States Senator from New Hampshire
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Warren Rudman
Succeeded by	Kelly Ayotte
Chair of the Senate Budget Committee
In office January 4, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Don Nickles
Succeeded by	Kent Conrad
Chair of the Senate Health Committee
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005
Preceded by	Ted Kennedy
Succeeded by	Mike Enzi
76th Governor of New Hampshire
In office January 4, 1989 – January 2, 1993
Preceded by	John H. Sununu
Succeeded by	Ralph D. Hough (acting)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1989
Preceded by	James Colgate Cleveland
Succeeded by	Chuck Douglas
Member of the New Hampshire Executive Council from the 5th district
In office 1979–1981
Preceded by	Bernard Streeter
Succeeded by	Bernard Streeter
Personal details
Born	Judd Alan Gregg (1947-02-14) February 14, 1947 (age 78) Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Kathleen MacLellan ​ (m. 1973)​
Children	3
Education	Columbia University (BA) Boston University (JD, LLM)

Judd Alan Gregg (born February 14, 1947) is an American politician and lawyer. He served as the governor of New Hampshire and later as a United States senator for the same state. As a member of the Republican Party, he was known for his work on the nation's budget and health policies.

Before entering politics, Gregg was a lawyer and businessman. After his time in the Senate, he worked for the financial company Goldman Sachs and a lobbying group for Wall Street.

In 2009, President Barack Obama asked Gregg to be the Secretary of Commerce, a top advisor on business issues. However, Gregg later withdrew his name. He decided not to run for the Senate again in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Judd Gregg was born in Nashua, New Hampshire. His father, Hugh Gregg, was also a governor of New Hampshire. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, a private high school, Gregg went to college.

He earned his first degree from Columbia University in 1969. He then went to Boston University School of Law to study law, earning two law degrees.

Beginning a Career in Politics

A painting of Judd Gregg when he was governor.

Gregg's first elected position was on the Executive Council of New Hampshire from 1979 to 1981. This council helps advise the governor.

In 1980, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, which is part of the U.S. Congress. He was reelected three times.

In 1988, Gregg decided to run for Governor of New Hampshire instead of for Congress. He won the election and was reelected in 1990. As governor, he focused on balancing the state's budget.

Serving in the U.S. Senate

In 1992, Gregg ran for the U.S. Senate and won. The Senate is the other part of the U.S. Congress. He was reelected in 1998 and 2004. He served as a senator for New Hampshire until 2011.

Leadership Roles

Gregg (left) at a ceremony for the submarine USS New Hampshire (SSN-778).

During his time in the Senate, Gregg became the chairman of two important committees.

• Budget Committee: As chairman, he was in charge of creating the U.S. government's budget plan. He often argued for lower government spending.
• Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: This committee works on laws related to health care, schools, and worker benefits.

In 2008, he was chosen for a special panel to watch over the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. This law was created to help the U.S. economy during a financial crisis. He later stepped down from the panel because he was too busy with his other Senate duties.

Political Views

Judd Gregg was considered a moderate Republican. This means his views were often in the middle, not strictly conservative or liberal.

He was known for being fiscally conservative, meaning he wanted the government to be careful with its spending. He was concerned about the national debt and how it would affect future generations.

On environmental issues, his record was mixed. He supported a plan to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, he also helped pass a law that protected nearly 100,000 acres (400 km²) of forest in New Hampshire and Vermont as wilderness.

Gregg also helped secure federal money for research projects at New Hampshire universities. The University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State University both named buildings or institutes after him to honor his support.

Presidential Politics

Gregg was very involved in presidential elections, but not as a candidate himself. During practice debates, he would play the role of the Democratic opponent to help the Republican candidate prepare. In 2000, he pretended to be Al Gore for George W. Bush. In 2004, he played the part of John Kerry.

Over the years, Gregg supported several Republican candidates for president, including Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, and John Kasich. In 2024, he supported Nikki Haley.

Nomination for Secretary of Commerce

Gregg speaks after President Obama nominated him for Secretary of Commerce.

In February 2009, President Barack Obama, a Democrat, surprised many by nominating Gregg, a Republican, to be his Secretary of Commerce. This person leads the department that works to promote job creation and economic growth.

If Gregg had taken the job, he would have left his Senate seat. The Democratic governor of New Hampshire would have appointed his replacement.

However, just ten days after being nominated, Gregg withdrew his name. He said he had "irresolvable conflicts" with the President's policies, especially on the economic stimulus plan and the U.S. Census. The White House said it regretted that Gregg had a "change of heart." Gregg took responsibility for the decision, saying he realized he was not comfortable working for someone else and promoting their views.

Controversies

While in the Senate, Gregg helped create the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). This program used government money to help save large banks during the 2008 financial crisis. Some people criticized this because Gregg himself had money invested in one of the banks that was helped. After leaving the Senate, he became an advisor to the investment bank Goldman Sachs.

It was also reported that Gregg's family business profited from a project he supported as a senator. The project involved turning an old Air Force base into a business park. Gregg helped get millions in federal money for the project, and his family's real estate investments there increased in value. Gregg said he did nothing wrong and that his family has always been involved in each other's business activities.

Personal Life

Gregg is married to Kathleen MacLellan Gregg. They have three children: Molly, Sarah, and Joshua.

In 2005, Gregg won over $850,000 in the D.C. Lottery. He had bought $20 worth of Powerball tickets at a store in Washington, D.C..

See also

In Spanish: Judd Gregg para niños

• Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States