Melissa Hart
Encyclopedia : M : ME : MEL : Melissa Hart
- This page is about the politician; for the actress, see Melissa Joan Hart.
Melissa A. Hart (born April 4, 1962) is an American politician who, since January 3, 2001, has served in the United States House of Representatives for the Fourth Congressional District of the state of Pennsylvania ([map]). A Republican, Hart became the first Republican woman in history to represent Pennsylvania at the federal level. Previous to her Congressional tenure, Hart served in the Pennsylvania State Senate where she chaired the finance committee.
Biography and political views
Hart was born in North Hills, Pennsylvania and graduated from North Allegheny High School, Washington and Jefferson College, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Upon leaving school, she entered into legal practice as an attorney for a major Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania law firm.Hart was appointed co-chair of the Platform Committee for the 2004 Republican National Convention. Under the guiding hand of United States Senator Bill Frist, Hart helped to craft the Republican party platform of 2004.
In 2005, Hart won an appointment on the House Ways and Means Committee.
She is a Catholic.
She is pro-life and, on January 23, 2006, addressed an anti-abortion rally in Washington, D.C., urging young people who opposed abortion to enter public service.
Political career
Hart also played an active role in the race for majority leader on February 2, 2006. As a top whip for the successful candidacy of Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), she worked to secure votes for him in the race. She was one of a handful for GOP members who have called for a full set of new leadership elections for whip, conference chair, and other offices below the majority leader position, but that motion narrowly failed the day before the majority leader race.Had this motion passed, Hart may very well have challenged Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH) for House Republican Conference Chairman, the No. 4 leadership spot.
In December 2002, Hart was a candidate for Conference Vice-Chair, the No. 5 leadership spot, but it lost it to Jack Kingston (R-GA) by a vote of 159-56.
In late 2005, her House predecessor, Ron Klink, publicly mulled making a run for his old seat, which would have been a very competitive contest for Hart. However, in late December, Klink announced he was not a candidate. Even with Klink not running, Hart still faces a tough race from Democrat Jason Altmire, a UPMC lobbyist.
Hart has been widely mentioned as a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, for the likely open seat of Senator Arlen Specter.
External links
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