Jeff Flake
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Jeff Flake (born December 31 1962), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2001, representing the 6th District of Arizona (map (http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/az06_109.gif)). He was born in Snowflake, Arizona, was educated at Brigham Young University and was a Mormon missionary, Executive Director of the Foundation for Democracy in Namibia, and Executive Director of the Goldwater Institute before entering the House.
Issues and positions
Jeff Flake is known as one of the most libertarian of the Republicans in the House, often among a small handful of Republicans joining Ron Paul in casting 'no' votes on bills which are supported by most of his party. For this reason, some conservative activists have given Flake the Republican in name only label [1] (http://www.americanpatrol.com/_WEB2004/040117.html), while others consider him one of the most consistently conservative members of the House and strongly support him [2] (http://zonitics.blogspot.com/). Which perspective one has on Flake may ultimately depend on which issues one considers most important.
Flake has voted against No Child Left Behind and the Homeland Security Act, while joining John McCain and Jim Kolbe in sponsoring bills to increase legal immigration and establish a guest worker program. Flake initially supported the Patriot Act and the Iraq War, but more recently has changed his position to one of cautious opposition, including voting against appropriations for both. He also supports ending the Cuba Trade Embargo.
Flake's departures from the Republican party line on some issues earned him a closely watched primary challenge in 2004 from within his own party, although he easily won over his challenger.
Jeff Flake has pledged to only serve three terms in Congress; his third term will expire at the end of 2006. He is believed to harbor further political ambitions including possible future runs for Governor of Arizona or the United States Senate. Rumors that he would run a Republican primary challenge against John McCain in 2004 turned out to be untrue, however.
External link
- Official website (http://www.house.gov/flake/)