Jon Porter

Not to be confused with John Porter (Illinois politician), an earlier-serving representative from Illinois, or John Porter (Pennsylvania politician), an earlier-serving representative from Pennsylvania.

Jonathan Christopher "Jon" Porter (born May 16, 1955) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, the first representative elected from the 3rd congressional district of Nevada.

Jon Porter
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 3rd district
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	District established
Succeeded by	Dina Titus
Member of the Nevada Senate from the 1st district
In office November 1994 – July 2002
Preceded by	Hal Smith
Succeeded by	Christine Milburn
Mayor of Boulder City
In office 1987–1991
Personal details
Born	(1955-05-16) May 16, 1955 Fort Dodge, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Married (Kristin McMillan-Porter, former CEO Vegas Chamber)
Residence	Washington, DC
Alma mater	Briar Cliff College
Occupation	consultant

He won re-election in the 2006 midterm election against Tessa Hafen by a 48%–47% margin. On November 4, 2008, after three consecutive terms, he was defeated by Nevada State Senator Dina Titus, a Democrat and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Early life, education, and early political career

Porter was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated from Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa. He attended Briar Cliff College and worked in his family business for several years before moving to Boulder City, Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, where he lives today.

He began his political career in 1983 when he was elected to the Boulder City Council. That year he also became an agent for Farmers Insurance. Porter was elected mayor of Boulder City in 1987 and served in that capacity until 1991. He served in the Nevada Senate from 1994 until 2002.

U.S. House of Representatives

In December, 2005, he joined with several other congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a bipartisan rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season.

Elections

2000

Porter lost the race for U.S. Congress in Nevada's 1st congressional district against Democratic incumbent Shelley Berkley. Berkley won 52% to 44%.

2002

However, this immediately made him the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the newly created 3rd District. The district had been created due to a population explosion in the Las Vegas area. Porter easily won the Republican nomination and faced Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera. The race was considered one of the hottest in the nation, in part because the district had been created as a "fair fight" district. However, Herrera's campaign foundered due to ethical problems, most notably when he was paid $50,000 by the Las Vegas Housing Authority for "public relations work." Porter won 56% to 37%.

2004

Porter defeated Tom Gallagher by a wider-than-expected 14-point margin (54% to 40%).

2006

Porter won re-election over his opponent Tessa Hafen, former press secretary for U.S. Senator Harry Reid, with 48% to 47%.

2008

The closeness of the 2006 race, combined with the marginal nature of the district, led Democrats to target Porter for defeat in 2008. After their initial choice, Clark County Prosecutor Robert Daskas, dropped out for family reasons, the Democrats quickly recruited State Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor in 2006. In the November 2008 election, Porter lost only the second general election of his career, taking 42 percent of the vote to Titus' 47 percent. Porter was likely hampered by a sharp increase in Democratic registration, as well as Barack Obama carrying the district with 55 percent of the vote. Additionally, Porter was seen as a potentially strong challenger to Harry Reid, the Democratic Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate who was up for reelection in 2010, so it was thought that Reid targeted Porter for defeat in order to eliminate him as a possible opponent.

Committee assignments

Porter was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee.

Post-Congressional Career

Porter Group LLC

Since 2008, Congressman Porter leads Porter Group LLC, a bipartisan government relations and business consulting firm with offices on Capitol Hill. Porter Group's staff has experience in public policy, the legislative and regulatory process, and politics, with access to an extensive network of bipartisan relationships in Washington, D.C. and nationwide.

Jon's base of clients includes both domestic and international businesses in areas of technology, transportation, education, travel and tourism, public lands, aviation, insurance, healthcare, energy, defense, and gaming, among others. Adjacent to this work, serves a variety of government agencies and non-profits including cities and counties, regional transportation agencies, airports, convention authorities, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, and organizations serving persons with disabilities.

Professional Speaking

Ret. Congressman Jon Porter is frequently invited to address national and international business and government audiences ranging from associations and trade shows to state and national conventions. Jon has spoken on topics ranging from leadership, governance, urban planning, transportation, Internet gaming, health care, disability policy, and energy.

Volunteer Work

• Music Maker Relief Foundation (Board of Directors)
• Valley Health System (Board of Governors)
• Farmers New World Life Insurance Company (Board Member)

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Nevada, 2008#District 3

External links

• Porter for Congress – campaign site
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Ledbetter Supreme Court Opinion