Patrick T. McHenry
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Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Patrick Timothy McHenry (born 22 October 1975) is a Republican politician from North Carolina, representing the state's 10th Congressional district (map (http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/nc10_109.gif)). He previously served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for a single term.
Biography
McHenry was raised in Gastonia, North Carolina and attended Ashbrook High School. A Catholic, he was one of five children; both of his parents are now deceased.
While a student at North Carolina State University and Belmont Abbey College, McHenry chaired the North Carolina Federation of College Republicans and served as treasurer for the national College Republicans organization. His first unsuccessful run for public office was in 1998, while still a student; his Democratic opponent was the father of a high school classmate. After earning a bachelor's degree in history in 1999, McHenry briefly worked for media consulting firm DCI/New Media, overseeing a campaign opposing Hillary Clinton during her 2000 Senate bid.
In the summer and fall of 2000, McHenry worked on George W. Bush's successful 2000 presidential campaign; he was named volunteer coordinator for Bush's inaugural committee. After six months working as a special assistant to the United States Secretary of Labor in Washington, DC, McHenry returned to North Carolina and successfully ran again for the state legislature. A real estate professional, residing in Cherryville, North Carolina, McHenry represented the state's 109th House district, including constituents in Gaston County. While in the legislature, he sat on the House Appropriations Committee.
After only one term in the North Carolina General Assembly, McHenry ran for Congress in the 10th Congressional District, which had come open when nine-term incumbent Cass Ballenger retired. McHenry faced a heavily contested primary in the 10th and bested his closest opponent, Catawba County Sheriff Dave Huffman in a runoff primary by only 85 votes. In the general election, he earned 64% of the popular vote, defeating Democrat Anne Fischer. However, it was generally thought McHenry had won the seat in the Republican primary. The 10th is considered North Carolina's most Republican district, having sent Republicans to represent it since 1963.
At the age of 29, McHenry is the youngest member of the 109th United States Congress; he was also the youngest member of the North Carolina General Assembly during his term in the state House. His voting record is very conservative even by North Carolina Republican standards; he was one of 20 members who voted against reinstating the House ethics rules in place before they were changed to protect Tom DeLay.
External link
- Official congressional site (http://www.house.gov/mchenry)
- Congressional campaign website (http://www.mchenryforcongress.com/index.asp)