William Thomas Redmond(born January 28, 1954) is an American politician and minister who served as aRepublicanmember of theUnited States House of RepresentativesfromNew Mexico.
Bill Redmond | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew Mexico's3rddistrict | |
| In office May 13, 1997 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Tom Udall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1954 Chicago,Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Lincoln Christian College and Seminary(BA) Murray State University(MEd) |
Early life and education
editRedmond was born inChicago.He graduated fromLincoln Christian Collegein 1979 and was ordained as an independent Christian Church minister. Prior to attending Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, Redmond attendedMurray State University,where he majored in Political Science and Accounting. In 1988 Redmond Graduated with a Masters of Divinity (MDiv.) in Theology and Philosophy fromLincoln Christian Seminarythen moved to New Mexico.
Career
editHe served in theUnited States Army Reservefrom 1985 until 1993 as part of an Army chaplain candidate program. Redmond was a minister for the Santa Fe Christian Church and worked as a teacher atUniversity of New Mexico–Los Alamos.
Politics
editHe ran for Congress in 1996 and was defeated by the district's longtimeDemocraticincumbent,Bill Richardson.Three months later, Richardson resigned to becomeUnited States Ambassador to the United Nations.Redmondwas a candidate in the special electionfor the balance of Richardson's term. He was initially considered an underdog, but won by 3,000 votes.Green Partycandidate Carol Miller took 17% of the vote, running as a more progressive alternative to Democrat Eric Serna. Miller's surprisingly strong campaign may havebenefitedRedmond by attracting potential Serna voters. Miller received over 17,000 votes, vastly exceeding the 3,000 vote margin Redmond held over Serna.
Despite representing a Democratic district, Redmond had a solidly-conservative voting record. He ran for a full term in 1998 but lost to state Attorney GeneralTom Udall,who received 53% to Redmond's 43%.[1]Proving just how heavily-Democratic this district was, no Republican has made a serious bid for the 3rd since Redmond left Congress.
He won the Republican nomination for theU.S. Senatein2000and was defeated by incumbentJeff Bingaman62% to 38%.
In October 1998, Democrats for Redmond described him as "truly an activist congressman" and "a man of integrity and a man who keeps his word". Reasons expressed for Democratic support for Redmond included "accomplishing more on the Land Grant issue in 16 months than any other elected official in 150 years" and introducing an amendment to theRadiation Exposure Compensation Actin order to bring justice to the affected uranium miners of New Mexico. He was also endorsed by the All Indian Pueblo Council for fighting for the rights of Native Americans.[2]
References
edit- ^"Udall wins Redmond's New Mexico House seat".Associated Press.November 4, 1998.RetrievedNovember 11,2007.
- ^"Democrats for Redmond - Letter of Support (1998) - on Newspapers".The Taos News.October 29, 1998. p. 16.RetrievedMarch 18,2016.
External links
edit- United States Congress."Bill Redmond (id: R000567)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- AppearancesonC-SPAN