Saxby Chambliss facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Saxby Chambliss
United States Senator from Georgia
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Max Cleland
Succeeded by	David Perdue
Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee
In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Thad Cochran
Succeeded by	Tom Harkin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 8th district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Roy Rowland
Succeeded by	Jim Marshall (Redistricting)
Personal details
Born	Clarence Saxby Chambliss (1943-11-10) November 10, 1943 (age 81) Warrenton, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Julianne Frohbert ​ (m. 1966)​
Children	2
Education	University of Georgia (BBA) University of Tennessee, Knoxville (JD)

Clarence Saxby Chambliss (born November 10, 1943) is an American lawyer and retired politician. He served as a U.S. Senator for Georgia from 2003 to 2015. Before that, he was a U.S. Representative from 1995 to 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.

While in the House, Chambliss led a special committee. This committee looked into how U.S. intelligence agencies worked after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Chambliss was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. He won against Democratic Senator Max Cleland. As a senator, he led the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. This was from 2005 to 2007. He was also a top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee from 2011 to 2012. In 2011, a newspaper called him one of the "Best Leaders." This was for his efforts to work with both parties to reduce government debt. Chambliss was re-elected in 2008. He decided not to run for re-election in 2014.

Saxby Chambliss's Early Life and Education

Chambliss was born in Warrenton, North Carolina. His father was an Episcopal minister. He finished high school in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1961. He studied at the University of Georgia and earned a business degree in 1966. He worked at a bakery to pay for college. Later, he earned a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1968.

During the Vietnam War, Chambliss did not serve in the military. He received deferments for being a student and for a knee injury from football.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Chambliss was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. He was part of a group of new Republican members. Their election helped the Republican Party gain control of Congress. This group is known as the "Class of '94."

Chambliss was elected from Georgia's 8th District, which includes Macon. He won with 63% of the votes. This was a big win because the 8th District had never elected a Republican before. He was re-elected easily in 1998 and 2000.

During his eight years in the House, Chambliss served on the United States House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He also led the House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security.

After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Chambliss's committee investigated intelligence issues. Their report showed problems in how U.S. intelligence agencies were working.

Chambliss made a comment in 2001 that caused controversy. He later apologized for his remarks.

Becoming a U.S. Senator

Senate Elections

2002 Senate Race

Chambliss with Zell Miller in 2004

In 2002, Chambliss decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He ran against the sitting Democratic Senator, Max Cleland. During the campaign, Chambliss's team ran an advertisement that caused a lot of discussion. The ad was criticized by both Democrats and Republicans. It was later taken down.

Chambliss won the election. He received 53% of the votes, while Cleland received 46%.

2008 Senate Race

On November 4, 2008, Chambliss ran for re-election. He received 49.8% of the votes. His Democratic opponent, Jim Martin, received 47%. Another candidate received 3%.

Because no candidate received more than 50% of the votes, a second election was held. This "runoff" election between Chambliss and Martin took place on December 2, 2008.

Chambliss won the runoff election. He defeated Martin with 57% of the votes.

Time in the Senate

Chambliss served in the U.S. Senate for 12 years. He led the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry from 2005 to 2007. He was also a top Republican on the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2011 to 2012.

Even though Chambliss was a conservative, he often worked with members of both parties. He helped create important laws like the 2007 Farm Bill. He also worked on immigration reform and a plan to help the economy in 2008. He was a leader in a group of ten senators who worked on energy policy. In 2011, he was recognized for trying to find ways to reduce the national debt by working with both parties.

In April 2013, Chambliss voted against a bill that would have expanded background checks for gun buyers. He was one of 46 senators who voted against the bill.

Chambliss did not run for re-election in 2014. After he retired from the Senate in 2015, he joined a law firm.

Committee Work

As a Senator, Chambliss was part of several important committees:

• Vice Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
• Senate Armed Services Committee
• Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
• Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
• Senate Special Committee on Aging
• Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Saxby Chambliss's Personal Life

Chambliss is a member of St. Mark's Anglican Church in Moultrie, Georgia. He married Julianne Frohbert in 1966. They have two children and six grandchildren.

In December 2020, Chambliss had a minor stroke.

Electoral History