| Revision as of 16:16, 18 June 2013 edit143.231.249.138 (talk) →Pro-Life / Abortion← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:51, 19 June 2013 edit undo143.231.249.138 (talk) →Pro-Life / AbortionNext edit → | ||
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| In a 2010 interview, discussing the legacy of ] which Franks described as a "crushing mark on America's soul", the congressman said, "Half of all black children are aborted. Far more of the ] community is being devastated by the policies of today than were being devastated by the policies of slavery."<ref>http://www.salon.com/2010/02/26/franks_2/</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=“” |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=459Dny0aabI#t=5m43s |title=Representative Trent Franks |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/a-tip-on-slavery-holocaust-talk/ | work=The New York Times | title=A Tip on Slavery, Holocaust Talk | first=Mark | last=Leibovich | date=February 26, 2010 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://washingtonindependent.com/77839/trent-franks-abortion-is-worse-for-blacks-than-slavery-was |title=Trent Franks: Abortion Is Worse for Blacks Than Slavery Was " The Washington Independent |publisher=Washingtonindependent.com |date=2010-02-26 |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fabian |first=Jordan |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/84003-goper-abortion-taking-worse-toll-on-blacks-than-slavery |title=GOPer: Abortion taking worse toll on blacks than slavery - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref> | In a 2010 interview, discussing the legacy of ] which Franks described as a "crushing mark on America's soul", the congressman said, "Half of all black children are aborted. Far more of the ] community is being devastated by the policies of today than were being devastated by the policies of slavery."<ref>http://www.salon.com/2010/02/26/franks_2/</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=“” |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=459Dny0aabI#t=5m43s |title=Representative Trent Franks |publisher=YouTube |date= |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/26/a-tip-on-slavery-holocaust-talk/ | work=The New York Times | title=A Tip on Slavery, Holocaust Talk | first=Mark | last=Leibovich | date=February 26, 2010 | accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://washingtonindependent.com/77839/trent-franks-abortion-is-worse-for-blacks-than-slavery-was |title=Trent Franks: Abortion Is Worse for Blacks Than Slavery Was " The Washington Independent |publisher=Washingtonindependent.com |date=2010-02-26 |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fabian |first=Jordan |url=http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/84003-goper-abortion-taking-worse-toll-on-blacks-than-slavery |title=GOPer: Abortion taking worse toll on blacks than slavery - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room |publisher=Thehill.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-22}}</ref> | ||
| In June 2013, he proposed a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks without exceptions for ] and ]. In defense, he stirred controversy when saying that “the incidents of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low." However, he later clarified, "Pregnancies from rape that result in abortion after the beginning of the sixth month are very rare." <ref> CNN.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013 </ref> <ref> Washington Post. June 14th, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013 </ref> Nevertheless, |
In June 2013, he proposed a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks without exceptions for ] and ]. In defense, he stirred controversy when saying that “the incidents of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low." However, he later clarified, "Pregnancies from rape that result in abortion after the beginning of the sixth month are very rare." <ref> CNN.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013 </ref> <ref> Washington Post. June 14th, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013 </ref> Nevertheless, the bill still passed by a vote of 228-196.<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/house-passes-bill-banning-abortion-after-20-weeks/</ref> | ||
| Franks presided over a hearing to ban abortions in the ], in which he did not allow D.C.'s lone ] and ], ], to testify. In doing so, he said Congress has the authority to “exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” in the District, even though the heavily ] district is strongly opposed to the ban.<ref>, 2012</ref> | Franks presided over a hearing to ban abortions in the ], in which he did not allow D.C.'s lone ] and ], ], to testify. In doing so, he said Congress has the authority to “exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” in the District, even though the heavily ] district is strongly opposed to the ban.<ref>, 2012</ref> | ||
Revision as of 19:51, 19 June 2013
| Trent Franks | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 8th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Barber |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Ed Pastor |
| Succeeded by | Ron Barber |
| Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 20th district | |
| In office 1985–1987 | |
| Preceded by | Glen Davis |
| Succeeded by | Bobby Raymond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1957-06-19) June 19, 1957 (age 67) Uravan, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Josephine Franks |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Glendale, Arizona |
| Alma mater | Ottawa University |
| Occupation | Oil executive, political researcher |
Trent Franks (born June 19, 1957) is the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 8th congressional district, serving in Congress since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district, numbered as the 2nd District from 2003 to 2013, is located in the West Valley portion of the Valley of the Sun and includes Glendale, Surprise, Sun City, Peoria and part of western Phoenix.
Early life, education, and business career
Franks was born in Uravan, Colorado, a company town, the son of Juanita and Edward Taylor Franks. He was born with a cleft lip and palate. After his parents separated, Franks took care of his younger siblings. While his parents took financial responsibility, he overtook the leadership role at home. Franks graduated from Briggsdale High School in Colorado in 1976. After high school, Franks bought a drilling rig and moved to Texas to drill wells with his best friend and his younger brother. He moved to Arizona in 1981, where he continued to drill wells.
In 1987, he completed a course of study at the non-accredited, National Center for Constitutional Studies, formerly known as the Freemen Institute, in Utah. For one year, from 1989 to 1990, he attended the Arizona campus of Ottawa University. In September 2004, Franks told Franchising World that he had been a small business owner for more than 25 years.
Early political career
Arizona legislature
In 1984, while working as an engineer for an oil and gas royalty-purchasing firm, he began his political career by running for a seat in the Arizona House of Representatives, against incumbent Democrat Glen Davis, an attorney, in District 20 in central Phoenix. Franks, who was a member of the Arizona Right to Life organization and president of the Arizona Christian Action Council, campaigned against abortion and in favor of tougher child abuse laws. He defeated Davis by 155 votes. In the state legislature, Franks served as vice-chairman of the Commerce Committee and Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Child Protection and Family Preservation.
Franks was defeated in his re-election bid in November 1986.
Mecham administration
In January 1987, he was appointed by Republican Governor Evan Mecham to head the Arizona Governor's Office for Children, which is a Cabinet level division of the Governor's office responsible for overseeing and coordinating state policy and programs for Arizona's children.
In late 1987, Franks founded the Arizona Family Research Institute, a nonprofit organization affiliated with James Dobson's Focus on the Family. He was the Executive Director of the organization for four and a half years.
In April 1988, after Mecham was impeached and removed from office, Franks and other appointees resigned their positions. Franks had been under investigation following an Associated Press report about his decision to spend nearly $60,000, without getting bids, for a conference at a former campaign contributor's hotel. Later in 1988, Franks ran again for a legislative seat, moving to District 18 shortly before the filing deadline. He was successful in the Republican primary but lost in the November general election.
Political activism
In 1992, when Franks was chairman of Arizonans for Common Sense, one of the organization's efforts was a constitutional amendment on the November 1992 ballot in Arizona that banned most abortions. The initiative lost, getting about 35 percent of the votes cast.
In August 1995, Arizonans for an Empowered Future, of which Franks was chairman, launched an initiative campaign to amend the state constitution, replacing the graduated state income tax with a flat 3.5 percent rate, and allowing parents to deduct the costs of private-school tuition. The initiative was not one of those appearing on the ballot in 1996.
Franks worked for and later became president of Liberty Petroleum Corporation, a small oil exploration company established in 1996. Franks served as a consultant to conservative activist Pat Buchanan's presidential campaign.
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
- 1994
Franks ran for Arizona's 4th congressional district in 1994, after incumbent U.S. Representative Jon Kyl decided to run for the U.S. Senate. He lost to John Shadegg, 43%-30%.
- 2002
Following the 2000 Census, Arizona got two additional seats and both were heavily Republican after redistricting Franks decided to run in the newly redrawn Arizona's 2nd congressional district. The initial favorite in the race was Lisa Jackson Atkins, Stump's longtime chief of staff, whom Stump had endorsed as his successor. Atkins had long been very visible in the district (in contrast to her more low-key boss) to the point that many thought she was the district's representative. Franks narrowly defeated Atkins in the seven-candidate Republican primary, 28%-26%, a difference of just 797 votes. He won the November 2002 general election, defeating Democrat Randy Camacho, 60%-37%.
- 2004
Franks faced unusually strong competition in the Republican primary from the more moderate businessman Rick Murphy. Franks defeated him 64%-36%. He won re-election to a second term, by defeating Camacho in a rematch, 59%-38%.
- 2006
He won re-election to a third term with 59% of the vote.
- 2008
He won re-election to a fourth term with 59% of the vote.
- 2010
Franks was again challenged in the Republican primary. However, he easily defeated Charles Black, 81%-19%. He won re-election to a fifth term with 65% of the vote.
- 2012
After Arizona's districts were redrawn as a result of the 2010 United States Census, Franks' decided to run in the newly redrawn Arizona's 8th congressional district. His new district was much more compact than his old gerrymandered district. The 8th district was only in one county, Maricopa. It is a small district in the northwest part of the county. As evidence of how much the West Valley dominated the old 2nd, Franks retained 92% of his former constituents, even as he lost 85% of his old district's land. He was challenged in the Republican primary by Tony Passalacqua, whom Franks defeated easily, 83%-17%. He won re-election to a sixth term with 63% of the vote.
Positions
The National Journal has ranked Franks among the "most conservative" members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee. Franks has also been active with Operation Smile.
Online gaming
Franks is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online poker. In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4411, the Goodlatte-Leach Internet Gambling Prohibition Act and H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.
Homeland Security
On October 14, 2009, Franks joined with three fellow Representatives in calling for the investigation of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, over allegations of trying to plant "spies," based on a CAIR memo indicating that they "will develop national initiatives such as Lobby Day, and placing Muslim interns in Congressional offices." The request came in the wake of the publication of a book, Muslim Mafia, the foreword of which had been penned by Representative Sue Myrick, that portrayed CAIR as a subversive organization allied with international terrorists. CAIR has countered that these initiatives are extensively used by all advocacy groups and accused Franks and his colleagues of intending to intimidate American Muslims who "take part in the political process and exercise their rights."
Taxes
Franks is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. In 2010, Franks voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He has high approval ratings from Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. In November 2011 he voted to pass HR 2930 which authorizes crowdfunding for small businesses.
Criticism of the Obama Administration
He opposes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, claiming “the thought of Americans' health care decisions being put into the hands of an unimaginably large bureaucracy is a frightening prospect.” He is not supported by American Public Health Association or the Children's Health Fund.
In September 2009, he stirred controversy when criticizing President Barack Obama. He said "Obama's first act as president of any consequence, in the middle of a financial meltdown, was to send taxpayers' money overseas to pay for the killing of unborn children in other countries. Now, I got to tell you, if a president will do that, there's almost nothing that you should be surprised at after that. We shouldn't be shocked that he does all these other insane things. A president that has lost his way that badly, that has no ability to see the image of God in these little fellow human beings, if he can't do that right, then he has no place in any station of government and we need to realize that he is an enemy of humanity."
Pro-Life / Abortion
In a 2010 interview, discussing the legacy of slavery which Franks described as a "crushing mark on America's soul", the congressman said, "Half of all black children are aborted. Far more of the African American community is being devastated by the policies of today than were being devastated by the policies of slavery."
In June 2013, he proposed a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks without exceptions for rape and incest. In defense, he stirred controversy when saying that “the incidents of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low." However, he later clarified, "Pregnancies from rape that result in abortion after the beginning of the sixth month are very rare." Nevertheless, the bill still passed by a vote of 228-196.
Franks presided over a hearing to ban abortions in the District of Columbia, in which he did not allow D.C.'s lone delegate and Member of Congress, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, to testify. In doing so, he said Congress has the authority to “exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever” in the District, even though the heavily Democratic district is strongly opposed to the ban.
Other
During the 2008 campaign, Franks stated that he is skeptical about global warming.
He opposes same-sex marriage and abortion.
Franks supports the right to bear firearms. The interest group, Gun Owners of America, have given Franks high approval ratings. In 2011, he voted to pass the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act.
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- DUI Caucus
- Congressional Hispanic Conference
- Education Freedom Caucus
- Human Rights Caucus
- India Caucus
- Israel Allies Caucus
- International Religious Freedom Caucus
- Liberty Caucus
- Tea Party Caucus
- Working Group on Judicial Accountability
- Working Group on Waste, Fraud and Abuse
Electoral history
| Year | Democratic | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Randy Camacho | 61,217 | 36.55% | Trent Franks | 100,359 | 59.92% | Edward R. Carlson | Libertarian | 5,919 | 3.53% | * | ||||||||
| 2004 | Randy Camacho | 107,406 | 38.46% | Trent Franks | 165,260 | 59.17% | Powell Gammill | Libertarian | 6,625 | 2.37% | * | ||||||||
| 2006 | John Thrasher | 89,671 | 38.89% | Trent Franks | 135,150 | 58.62% | Powell Gammill | Libertarian | 5,734 | 2.49% | * | ||||||||
| 2008 | John Thrasher | 125,611 | 37.16% | Trent Franks | 200,914 | 59.44% | Powell Gammill | Libertarian | 7,882 | 2.33% | William Crum | Green | 3,616 | 1.07% | |||||
| 2010 | John Thrasher | 82,891 | 31.06% | Trent Franks | 173,173 | 64.89% | Powell Gammill | Libertarian | 10,820 | 4.05% | * |
Personal life
 | This section includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this section by introducing more precise citations. (November 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Franks and his wife, Josephine, have been married since 1980. In August 2008, a donor egg and surrogate were used to give birth to their twins. They are members of a Baptist Church.
Franks is currently chairman of the Children's Hope Scholarship Foundation.
References
- http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34378
- http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebattle/reps/franks.htm
- ^ Birhanemaskel, Millete (2002-11-20). "Congressman from Arizona creates buzz in Briggsdale". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
- "Trent Franks". Classmates.com. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- Associated Press (2002-08-12). "Primaries crowded for redrawn 2nd Congressional District". Kingman Daily Miner. Retrieved 2010-03-06.
- "Trent Franks". Vote-USA.org. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- "U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (a Franchising World Q & A)(Interview)". Franchising World. September 1, 2004.
- "Republicans hold fast on Senate control". Mohave Daily Miner. UPI. November 7, 1984. p. 7.
- "Legislature results are split". Mohave Daily Miner. UPI. November 5, 1986. p. 16.
- ^ Ken Hedler (December 18, 2002). "Franks seeks widening of school tax credits". Kingman Daily Miner.
- "Extended Biography of Congressman Trent Franks". Trent Franks Congressional website. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- "Mecham aides quit, another will leave". Prescott Courier. Associated Press. April 8, 1988. p. 6A.
- "Campaign called 'dirtiest' in recent memory". Prescott Courier. Associated Press. September 11, 1988. p. 1.
- "Abortion ruling bodes ill for Arizona". Prescott Courier. Associated Press. June 29, 1992. p. 1B.
- "Politics of Abortion Likely to Inflame Elections in States". Miami Herald. July 1, 1992.
- William F. Rawson (August 2, 1995). "Arizona initiative seeks flat tax, credits for private school tuition". Kingman Daily Miner. Associated Press.
- Jonathan D. Salant (December 25, 2002). "A Richer Congress; Nearly Half of Incoming Freshmen are Millionaires". Associated Press.
- "Liberty Petroleum Corporation – Profile". Manta.com. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
- "GOP lawmaker clarifies remarks critical of Obama". Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=249498
- Scott Thomsen (September 12, 2000). "Congress: Grijalva, Franks now front-runners in new districts". The Daily Courier. Associated Press.
- "In heavily GOP congressional district in Arizona, Trent Franks wins Republican nomination". Associated Press. September 15, 2002.
- Robert Gehrke (September 2, 2002). "Many Arizona House candidates financing own primary campaigns". The Daily Courier. Associated Press.
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1042
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=1041
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4439
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=3994
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=201451
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=323118
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=512831
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=487767
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=748165
- http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=706821
- Roff, Peter (2010-02-26). "The Most Conservative and Most Liberal Members of Congress". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
- Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4411
- Thomas (Library of Congress): HR 4777
- Doyle, Michael, "Judge: Controversial 'Muslim Mafia' used stolen papers", Charlotte Observer, November 10, 2009, accessed November 17, 2009
- Glenn Greenwald (October 15, 2009). "GOP House members call for investigation of Muslim political activity". Salon.com.
- Jordy Yager (October 14, 2009). "House Republicans accuse Muslim group of trying to plant spies". Capitol Hill Publishing Corp.
- Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers
- , 2011
- Trent Franks, , 2011
- , 2011
- http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5350756-503544.html
- http://www.salon.com/2010/02/26/franks_2/
- “”. "Representative Trent Franks". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Leibovich, Mark (February 26, 2010). "A Tip on Slavery, Holocaust Talk". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
- "Trent Franks: Abortion Is Worse for Blacks Than Slavery Was " The Washington Independent". Washingtonindependent.com. 2010-02-26. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- Fabian, Jordan. "GOPer: Abortion taking worse toll on blacks than slavery - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room". Thehill.com. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
- CNN.com. June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013
- Washington Post. June 14th, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2013
- [http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/house-passes-bill-banning-abortion-after-20-weeks/
- , 2012
- Sept. 11, 2008 10:39 AM (2008-09-11). "Head to Head: Congressional District 2". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Associated Press (2007-02-14). "McCain courting Christian conservatives". MSNBC. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
- 2011
- , 2011
- "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
External links
- U.S. Congressman Trent Franks official U.S. House site
- Trent Franks for U.S. Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byMario Diaz-Balart R-Florida |
United States Representatives by seniority 155th |
Succeeded byScott Garrett R-New Jersey |
| Arizona's current delegation to the United States Congress | |
|---|---|
| Senators |
|
| Representatives (ordered by district) |
|