Tom Emmer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tom Emmer
House Majority Whip
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023
Speaker	Kevin McCarthy Mike Johnson
Preceded by	Jim Clyburn
Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Leader	Kevin McCarthy
Preceded by	Steve Stivers
Succeeded by	Richard Hudson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2015
Preceded by	Michele Bachmann
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 19B district
In office January 4, 2005 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Dick Borrell
Succeeded by	Joe McDonald
Personal details
Born	Thomas Earl Emmer Jr. (1961-03-03) March 3, 1961 (age 64) South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jacqueline Emmer ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	7
Education	University of Alaska Fairbanks (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD)
Website

Thomas Earl Emmer Jr. (born March 3, 1961) is an American politician and lawyer. He is a member of the Republican Party. Since 2015, he has represented Minnesota's 6th district in the United States House of Representatives. In 2023, he became the House Majority Whip. This means he helps make sure members of his party vote together on important issues.

Before working in the U.S. Congress, Emmer served in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was a state representative from 2005 to 2011. In 2010, he ran for governor of Minnesota but did not win. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014. He has been reelected four times since then. His district includes parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, the St. Cloud area, and rural Central Minnesota.

From 2019 to 2023, Emmer led the National Republican Congressional Committee. This group helps elect Republicans to the House of Representatives. After the 2022 elections, he won a close vote to become the House Majority Whip. In October 2023, he was a candidate for Speaker of the House but later withdrew.

Early Life and Education

Tom Emmer was born in South Bend, Indiana. His family later moved to Edina, Minnesota. He went to St. Thomas Academy, a high school for boys in Mendota Heights. This school helps students get ready for college.

Emmer studied at Boston College and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1984 with a degree in political science. He also played hockey for both schools. In 1988, Emmer earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Political Career

Emmer started his career as a lawyer. He worked for cities and counties, helping them with legal issues. This included handling lawsuits involving police officers. He also helped volunteer firefighters and city inspectors. He was allowed to practice law in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Before joining the state legislature, Emmer served on city councils. He was a council member in Independence, Minnesota, and then in Delano, Minnesota.

Serving in the Minnesota House

Emmer as a state representative in 2004

In 2004, the state representative for Minnesota's House District 19B decided to retire. This district included parts of Wright and Hennepin Counties. It also covered cities like Otsego and Delano. Emmer, a Republican, won the election against Lori M. Schmidt.

He was reelected for a second term in 2006 and a third term in 2008. In 2010, he decided to run for governor instead of seeking reelection. During his time as a state representative, Emmer often rode the bus to the Minnesota State Capitol. He served on several important committees, including the Finance Committee.

Running for Governor in 2010

Tom Emmer campaigning for governor in 2010

Emmer announced he would run for governor in July 2009. In April 2010, he chose Annette Meeks as his running mate. He received support from well-known politicians like former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. On April 30, 2010, the Republican Party of Minnesota officially chose Emmer as their candidate.

The election gained national attention because of donations from large companies. Target Corporation and Best Buy donated money to a group supporting Emmer. Emmer said he believed this was an exercise in free speech. He wanted to keep his campaign focused on economic issues.

The main candidates in the general election were Emmer, Mark Dayton (DFL), and Tom Horner (Independence Party). Emmer lost to Mark Dayton by a small number of votes. This small difference led to an automatic recount of the votes. After the recount, Emmer conceded the election on December 8, 2010.

After the 2010 Election

After the gubernatorial election, Emmer worked as a registered lobbyist in Minnesota. He also co-hosted a morning talk radio show. In 2011, he ran for a seat on the Republican National Committee but did not win.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2014 Election

When U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann announced her retirement in 2013, Emmer was seen as a possible candidate for her seat. On June 5, 2013, Emmer officially announced he would run. He received the Republican Party's endorsement in April 2014. He also won the primary election with 73% of the vote.

Emmer easily won the general election in November 2014.

2016 Election

In 2016, Emmer won reelection. He defeated Democratic candidate David Snyder with 66% of the vote.

2018 Election

Emmer won his reelection campaign in 2018. He defeated Democratic candidate Ian Todd with 61% of the vote.

2020 Election

In 2020, Emmer was reelected for another term. He won against Democratic candidate Tawnja Zahradka with 66% of the vote.

2022 Election

Emmer won his reelection campaign in 2022. He defeated Democratic candidate Jeanne Hendricks with 62% of the vote.

Time in Congress

In 2019, Emmer's Bipartisan Index Score was -0.0. This score measures how often a politician works with members of the other party. He ranked 192nd out of 435 members in the 116th United States Congress. He voted with Donald Trump's positions about 91.5% of the time.

On May 19, 2021, Emmer and seven other Republican House leaders voted against creating a national commission. This commission would have investigated the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

On November 15, 2022, Emmer was elected Majority Whip. This happened after Republicans gained control of the House. He won a close race against other candidates.

October 2023 Speaker Election

On October 20, 2023, Emmer considered running for Speaker of the House. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy supported him. McCarthy said Emmer was the right person to unite the party. On October 24, the Republican party chose Emmer as their candidate. However, he withdrew from the race later that day. He was replaced by Mike Johnson, who then became Speaker.

Committee Roles

For the 118th Congress, Tom Emmer serves on the following committees:

• Committee on Financial Services
  • Subcommittee on Capital Markets
  • Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion

Groups He Belongs To

Emmer is a member of several groups in Congress:

• Republican Main Street Partnership
• Republican Study Committee
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption
• Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans
• Rare Disease Caucus

Political Views

Chemical Safety (BPA)

In 2009, Emmer voted against a law that would stop the sale of children's products containing Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a chemical sometimes used in plastics. He said he voted against it because he was worried about "increased costs."

Climate and Environment

In 2022, Emmer supported a resolution to encourage oil and gas production in the U.S. This resolution did not pass. It asked the House to support "safe and responsible development of its energy resources."

The League of Conservation Voters, an environmental group, has given Emmer a low score for his environmental voting record. His lifetime score is 5%.

Mining in Minnesota

In 2018, Emmer supported two copper-nickel mines in the Superior National Forest. These mines were planned by Polymet and Twin Metals. When the government did not list copper or nickel as "critical minerals" in 2018, Emmer asked for them to be included.

In 2019, Emmer supported new leases for Twin Metals to explore land for copper-nickel. This happened after a previous administration had paused the leases.

Digital Assets

Tom Emmer is a strong supporter of cryptocurrency and digital assets. He introduced a bill called the Securities Clarity Act. This bill aims to make rules for digital assets clearer. In March 2023, he wrote a letter asking about how banks were treating crypto companies.

Healthcare

Emmer wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act (often called Obamacare). In 2017, he voted for the American Health Care Act. This bill aimed to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Minimum Wage

In 2005, when he was a state representative, Emmer tried to change Minnesota's minimum wage law. His proposal would have removed the state's minimum wage.

Immigration

Emmer supported President Donald Trump's 2017 order to temporarily limit immigration from seven mostly Muslim countries. He said that these countries were identified as dangerous by the previous administration.

Same-Sex Marriage

Emmer supported a change to the state constitution that would ban civil recognition of same-sex marriage. He believed marriage should be only between one man and one woman. Voters later rejected this proposal.

However, Emmer was one of 47 Republican Representatives who voted for the Respect for Marriage Act. This law protects the right to same-sex marriage across the country.

State Sovereignty

In 2010, Emmer supported a change to the Minnesota Constitution. This change would have allowed the state to ignore certain federal laws.

Taxes

Emmer is against increasing taxes. He has also suggested slowly lowering the state corporate tax. His goal was to eventually get rid of it completely.

Personal Life

Tom Emmer's great-grandfather and his two brothers started a lumber company in 1910. This company is now called Viking Forest Products. It is owned by its employees.

Emmer is married to Jacqueline Emmer, and they have seven children. They got married in 1986. He enjoys playing and coaching hockey. Emmer is a Roman Catholic.

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See also

In Spanish: Tom Emmer para niños