John Katko

John Katko
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 24th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Preceded by Dan Maffei
Personal details
Born John Michael Katko
(1962-11-09) November 9, 1962
Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Political party Republican
Alma mater Niagara University (BA)
Syracuse University (JD)

John Michael Katko (born November 9, 1962) is an American attorney and politician. A Republican, he has represented New York's 24th district in the United States House of Representatives since 2015. Prior to winning elective office, Katko was an Assistant United States Attorney who served as chief of the organized crime division at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Syracuse, where he helped to prosecute gang members under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.[1]

Early life and education

Katko was born in Syracuse in 1962, and is a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School.[2] He is of Slovak descent on his father's side.[3]

Katko attended Niagara University where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science, and the Syracuse University College of Law, where he earned his law degree.[4] He is also a 1982 graduate of The Washington Center.[5]

U.S. Congress

Elections

He ran against Dan Maffei in the United States House of Representatives elections, 2014 and was declared the winner on November 4, 2014, by 20 percentage points – the largest margin of defeat suffered by an incumbent in the cycle.[6]

Katko ran for re-election in 2016. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[7] He faced Democrat Colleen Deacon, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's former district director for Central New York, in the November 2016 general election.[8] Katko was re-elected with 61% of the vote.[9]

Tenure

In September 2015, Katko joined the majority of the U.S. House in passing a 241-187 measure which would cut off about $500 million of federal funding to Planned Parenthood. The bill was brought forward as a response to the Planned Parenthood 2015 undercover videos controversy. In his 2014 campaign, Katko said he would not defund the organization. At the time of the vote, he said he could not support additional funding of the organization while an investigation into its practices was ongoing.[10]

In May 2016, the U.S. House nearly unanimously passed one of Katko's bills, which formally establishes the Counterterrorism Advisory Board. The bill requires Homeland Security officials to work to share intelligence, operations and policy information.[11]

With eight bills passed, Katko has had more bills pass than any other individual in the 64-member freshman class elected in 2014.[12]

Personal life

Katko was raised in suburban Camillus, New York, where he resides with his wife, Robin Katko, and their three sons.[13]

References

  1. Weiner, Mark (January 14, 2014). "John Katko, former organized crime prosecutor, seeks GOP nomination for Congress". Syracuse.com. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. Profile, nationaljournal.com; accessed November 10, 2014.
  3. Weiner, Mark (March 25, 2015). "Rep. John Katko scores winning goal, named MVP in Congressional Hockey Challenge (video)". Syracuse.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015.
  4. "Project Vote Smart – The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  5. Simonetti, Kristin. "TWC in the House! (of Representatives)". The Washington Center. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  6. "John Katko declared winner over Rep. Dan Maffei in race for Congress". syracuse.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  7. Tumulty, Bruce (April 27, 2016). "Democratic primary will determine challenger to Katko". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  8. Weiner, Mark (September 20, 2016). "7 issues that separate John Katko, Colleen Deacon in race for Congress". The Post-Standard. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  9. Sharp, Brian (November 9, 2016). "Republican incumbents Collins, Reed and Katko win re-election". Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  10. "House GOP votes to defund Planned Parenthood with help of John Katko". Retrieved 2016-09-23.
  11. Weiner, Mark (May 16, 2016). "House passes John Katko's bill to improve counterterrorism oversight". Syracuse.com. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  12. Theobold, William (April 11, 2016). "Arizona's Rep. Martha McSally shows a knack for moving bills despite gridlock". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  13. "Meet John Katko: Career gang prosecutor talks of taking on 'knuckleheads' in Congress". syracuse.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Dan Maffei
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 24th congressional district

2015–present
Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Evan Jenkins
United States Representatives by seniority
402nd
Succeeded by
Steve Knight
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