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Darin LaHood

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Darin McKay LaHood (/ləˈhʊd/ lə-HOOD; born July 5, 1968)[1] is an American attorney and politician who has served as a U.S. representative from Illinois since 2015. A member of the Republican Party, LaHood has represented the 16th district since 2023, and previously represented the 18th district from 2015 to 2023. He previously served in the Illinois Senate from the 37th legislative district from 2011 to 2015, before being elected to Congress in a special election following the resignation of Aaron Schock.[2]

Darin LaHood
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 17, 2015
Preceded byAaron Schock(18th district) Adam Kinzinger(16th district)
Constituency18th district (2015–2023)
16th district (2023–present)
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 37th district
In office
March 1, 2011 – September 10, 2015
Preceded byDale Risinger
Succeeded byChuck Weaver
Personal details
Born
Darin McKay LaHood

(1968-07-05) July 5, 1968 (age 56)
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Kristen Noble
​
(m. 2001)​
Children3
Parent
EducationLoras College (BA)
John Marshall Law School, Chicago (JD)
Darin LaHood's voice
Darin LaHood speaks on the death of deputy United States Marshal Chase White
Recorded January 11, 2019

During the 2022 redistricting process, the 18th congressional district was eliminated as Illinois lost a seat in the apportionment process. After new district boundaries were adopted, LaHood opted to run in the 16th congressional district.[3]

Early life

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A native of Peoria, Illinois, LaHood is the son of Kathy (Dunk) and Ray LaHood,[4][5] the 16th United States Secretary of Transportation and before that a seven-term U.S. representative for the district his son now represents.[6] His father is of Lebanese and German descent.

The younger LaHood is the eldest of four siblings, and went to the Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute.[7] He graduated from Loras College in Iowa and received his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School.[7]

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LaHood was a prosecutor in the Tazewell County state's attorney's office and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada in Las Vegas.[8] Upon returning to Peoria in 2005, he took up private law practice; as of 2011 he was in the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs.[9]

Early political career

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LaHood ran for Peoria County state's attorney in 2008, losing to incumbent Kevin Lyons, 43,208 votes to 36,449. He was also involved[clarification needed] in several other Republican campaigns, including Bill Brady's 2010 campaign for governor and Dan Rutherford's campaign for Illinois Treasurer.[9]

LaHood was appointed to the Illinois Senate on February 27, 2011, at age 42.[9] He took office on March 1, the day after Dale Risinger retired.[10] When appointed, LaHood announced he would run for election to a full term in 2012, which he won, running unopposed.[9][11]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2015 special
Main article: 2015 Illinois's 18th congressional district special election

On July 7, 2015, LaHood defeated Mike Flynn 69%–28%, in the Republican primary for Illinois's 18th congressional district, replacing Aaron Schock. He defeated Democratic nominee Rob Mellon in the September 10 special general election[12] by a large margin.[13] He was sworn in by House Speaker John Boehner on September 17, 2015.[14]

2016
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 18

In the November 8, 2016, general election, LaHood defeated Democratic nominee Junius Rodriguez, 250,506 votes (72.1%) to 96,770 (27.9%).[15]

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 18

In the November 6, 2018, general election, LaHood defeated Rodriguez again, 195,927 votes (67.2%) to 95,486 (32.8%).

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 18

In the November 3, 2020, general election, LaHood defeated Democratic nominee George Petrilli, 261,840 votes (70.41%) to 110,039 (29.59%).

Tenure

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LaHood has called himself a fiscal conservative focused on budget issues.[9]

LaHood serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.[16]

On May 25, 2016, LaHood introduced legislation through the Science, Space, and Technology Committee that approved the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Modernization Act of 2016. The NITRD Program was originally authorized by the High Performance Computing Act of 1991. NITRD is the federal government's primary research portfolio on transformative high-end computing, high-speed networking, high capacity systems software, cybersecurity, and related advanced information technologies.[17]

LaHood drew criticism from constituents for declining to hold an open town hall during the February 2017 recess.[18] Constituents from across the 18th congressional district gathered in Bloomington Normal and Jacksonville to request a town hall to discuss a variety of issues, including access to health care, immigration laws, and freedom of the press.[19][20][21] LaHood spoke to the demonstrators outside the Farm Bureau building in Peoria who had come to push for a town hall, saying: "We live in a democracy. People may not always agree with me and that's why I have to go before voters like I did in November. I was fortunate to receive 72 percent of the vote in that election. But this is part of the process."[22]

LaHood is a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership[23] and the Republican Study Committee.[24]

Legislation

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LaHood voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[25] In a letter to the editor in the State Journal Register, he stated that the bill would help his constituents save money and make businesses more competitive globally, including State Farm Insurance, John Deere, and other local businesses.[26]

During the 116th Congress (2019-2020), LaHood cosponsored the Great American Outdoors Act H.R.1957,[27] establishing the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund for priority deferred maintenance projects on federal lands managed by the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Indian Education. In FY2021-FY2025, the fund will accrue up to $1.9 billion per year from revenues on federal lands and waters received from oil, gas, coal, or alternative or renewable energy development.

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[28]

Political positions

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Environment

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LaHood believes that humans "play a role" regarding climate change and that there is "no doubt about that." Despite this, he has a 0% lifetime rating from the League of Conservation Voters, indicating consistent votes against environmental causes.

Health care

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LaHood opposes "able-bodied working men" from accessing Medicaid. He supports full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Of single-payer healthcare, LaHood has said he would consider a bill if it was "fiscally sound" and benefited his constituents.[29]

Net neutrality

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LaHood opposes net neutrality and believes that revoking it has "zero effect" on privacy or data collection.[29]

Economic issues

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LaHood supports tax reform, specifically of corporate loopholes. In April 2017, he said he would not vote for a tax cut bill unless it was "revenue neutral" so it would not add to the deficit.[29] In December, LaHood voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which, according to the Congressional Budget Office, will add $1.414 trillion to the national debt.[25][30]

LaHood was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[31]

Immigration

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LaHood supports immigration reform, including shortening the time that it takes for people to legally enter the United States. He is "100 percent supportive" of increasing the number of people allowed to immigrate to the U.S.[29]

Cannabis

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LaHood has an "F" rating from NORML for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.[32] He opposes the legalization of marijuana, even for medicinal purposes. LaHood opposes veterans having access to medical marijuana if recommended by their Veterans Health Administration doctor and if it is legal for medicinal purposes in their state of residence. He believes the legalization of medical marijuana increases its illegal use and abuse by teenagers and that it is addictive.[33]

Donald Trump

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In 2017, LaHood said that President Donald Trump should release his tax returns and would vote in favor of requiring such disclosure if a bill mandating it was presented to the House. Of Trump's visits to Mar-a-Lago, LaHood said that "more business should be conducted in the White House than in Florida."[29] He supported the Special Counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.[29]

In December 2020, LaHood was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated Trump.[34] The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[35][36][37]

On January 6, 2021, a mob of Trump supporters entered the U.S. Capitol Building while Congress was debating the Electoral College certification. LaHood and his staff were among those kept under police lockdown for over four hours. That evening, LaHood voted to certify Biden as the 46th President-elect.[38]

Electoral history

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Peoria County, Illinois State's Attorney General Election, 2008[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kevin W. Lyons (incumbent) 25,548 55.57
Republican Darin LaHood 20,429 44.43
Total votes 45,977 100.0
Illinois 37th State Senate District General Election, 2012[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood (incumbent) 87,838 100.0
Total votes 87,838 100.0
Illinois 18th Congressional District Special Republican Primary, 2015[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood 45,490 69.54
Republican Michael J. Flynn 12,593 27.68
Republican Donald Ray Rients 1,246 2.74
Republican Robin Miller 16 0.03
Total votes 45,490 100.0
Illinois 18th Congressional District Special General Election, 2015[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood 35,329 68.84
Democratic Robert Mellon 15,979 31.14
Write-in votes Constant "Conner" Vlakancic 7 0.01
Write-in votes Roger K. Davis 4 0.01
Total votes 51,319 100.0
Illinois 18th Congressional District General Election, 2016[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood (incumbent) 250,506 72.13
Democratic Junius Rodriguez 96,770 27.86
Write-in votes Don Vance 7 0.00
Total votes 347,283 100.0
Illinois 18th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2018[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood (incumbent) 61,722 78.87
Republican Donald Ray Rients 16,535 21.13
Total votes 78,257 100.0
Illinois 18th Congressional District General Election, 2018[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood (incumbent) 195,927 67.23
Democratic Junius Rodriguez 95,486 32.77
Total votes 291,413 100.0
Illinois's 18th congressional district, 2020[46][47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darin LaHood (incumbent) 261,840 70.41
Democratic George Petrilli 110,039 29.59
Total votes 371,879 100.0

Personal life

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LaHood lives in Dunlap, a suburb of Peoria, with his wife Kristen; they married in 2000. They have three children.[48][49]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill". Roll Call. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Biography". Illinois General Assembly. Archived from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  3. ^ "2020 Census Apportionment Results". Census.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Dahl, Dave. "Illinois Senate passes workers' comp reform". Wjbc.com. Archived from the original on December 18, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "US Congressman Ray LaHood (Archived version from 2003)". Archived from the original on October 11, 2004. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  6. ^ "About LaHood | the Dirksen Congressional Center".
  7. ^ a b Felsenthal, Carol (July 22, 2015). "Darin LaHood Is Running as the Anti-Aaron Schock". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  8. ^ Heath, Brad; McCoy, Kevin (December 28, 2010). "Prosecutor misconduct lets convicted off easy". USA Today. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Darin LaHood gets nod to replace Risinger on senate". The Register-Mail. Galesburg, Illinois: GateHouse Media. February 27, 2011. Archived from the original on March 27, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  10. ^ McDonald, Karen (March 1, 2011). "LaHood eager to serve (Darin LaHood sworn in as newest state senator)". Peoria Journal Star. Peoria, Illinois: GateHouse Media. p. B1. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  11. ^ "Re-election assured for unopposed candidates". Pjstar.com. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  12. ^ Kaergard, Chris (July 7, 2015). "Darin LaHood easily wins GOP nomination for 18th District seat". Journal Star. Peoria. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  13. ^ "Darin LaHood wins special election to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock". Chicago Tribune. September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  14. ^ "LaHood takes seat in Congress once occupied by Schock". Chicago Tribune. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  15. ^ "Illinois General Election 2016". Illinois State Board of Elections. November 8, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  16. ^ "Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party - 118th Congress Profile".
  17. ^ "Committee Approves NITRD Modernization". Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. May 25, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  18. ^ Franke-Ruta, Garance (February 21, 2017). "Resistance Report: More than 1 million sign White House petition for Trump's tax returns, breaking record". Yahoo News. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  19. ^ Blanchette, David (February 24, 2017). "U.S. Rep. LaHood criticized for dodging constituents' questions". Pekin Daily Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  20. ^ Kwon, Esther (February 23, 2017). "Protesters Ask For Public Meeting With LaHood". News Channel 20. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  21. ^ Beigh, Derek (February 24, 2017). "LaHood, protesters: B-N town hall still possible". Pantagraph. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
  22. ^ Jackson, Denise (February 20, 2017). "Protesters confront Congressman Darin Lahood about town hall meeting". 25newsWeek. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  24. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  25. ^ a b Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  26. ^ LaHood, Darin. "Tax Relief: Promises made, promises kept". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  27. ^ Lewis, John (August 4, 2020). "H.R.1957 - Great American Outdoors Act". Congress.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  28. ^ "Darin LaHood". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  29. ^ a b c d e f Nightengale, Laura. "What U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood said at his town hall". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  30. ^ Patel, Jugal K.; Parlapiano, Alicia (November 28, 2017). "The Senate's Official Scorekeeper Says the Republican Tax Plan Would Add $1 Trillion to the Deficit". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  31. ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  32. ^ "Smoke the Vote: Guide to legalize marijuana in the US!". NORML. Archived from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Illinois Scorecard". NORML. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  34. ^ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". Associated Press. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  35. ^ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  36. ^ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  37. ^ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  38. ^ Kravetz, Andy (December 8, 2020). "Darin LaHood was leaving House chamber as 'rambunctious' mob was coming up Capitol steps". The Pantagraph. Archived from the original on January 8, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  39. ^ "Cumulative Report — Official Peoria Board of Election Commissioners — General Election — November 04, 2008". Peoria County Elections, IL. Peoria County Board of Elections Commissioners. November 19, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  40. ^ "Election Results 2012 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  41. ^ "Election Results 2015 SPECIAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  42. ^ "Election Results 2015 SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  43. ^ "Election Results 2016 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  44. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  45. ^ "Election Results 2018 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  46. ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  47. ^ "Illinois 2020 Election Results". Chicago Sun-Times. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  48. ^ "ABOUT DARIN". lahoodforcongress.com. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  49. ^ "LaHood announces bid for Congress to fill Schock vacancy". Illinois Review. March 18, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 18th congressional district
2015–2023 		Succeeded by
Constituency abolished
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 16th congressional district
2023–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
179th 		Succeeded by
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