ga_sen_COVERDELL
SEN. PAUL COVERDELL
Age: 59 Born: January 20, 1939 in Des Moines, Iowa Education: University of Missouri, B.A.(1961) Military: U.S. Army (1962-64) Family: Married - Nancy; no children Hometown: Atlanta, GA Religion: Methodist Career: U.S. Senator (1992-present); Chairman, GA Republican Party (185-87); Director of the Peace Corps (1989-91); Georgia State Senate (1970-89); Minority Leader (1974-89); President/co-Founder Coverdell & Co, Insurance company. |
• Georgia Incumbent Republican Senator, Paul Coverdell was elected in 1992 in a historic General Election runoff. One of the campaignÂ's most memorable moments: an ad featuring a grandmother on her porch swing singing a jingle she composed about the race. Coverdell defeated incumbent Democrat, Wyche Fowler, Jr. with just 51% of the vote. A lawsuit followed, but was later thrown out of court.
• CoverdellÂ's political career began with a failed campaign for the State Senate in 1968. Two years later, he ran again and won. Coverdell served until 1989; serving as Minority Leader for thirteen years.
• In 1977, he came in third in a field of twelve (12) candidates competing to replace Democrat Rep. Andrew Young when he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Coverdell placed third; the winner was future opponent, Wyche Fowler.
· Coverdell benefitted from his early activism in Republican politics. During George BushÂ's first run for President, Coverdell was GeorgiaÂ's Financial Chairman and in Â'88, he led the Southern Steering Committee. Following his re-election, Bush appointed Coverdell Director of the Peace Corps.
• Sen. Coverdell has been a reliable conservative vote among Republicans. He supported the Balanced Budget Amendment and pledged to vote against the federal Freedom of Choice Act. The American Conservative nion gave him a perfect 100 rating. He serves as the Republican Conference Secretary.
• Coverdell has also been a reliable Clinton critic. He opposed the PresidentÂ's universal health care plan and openly criticized ClintonÂ's $500 billion deficit reduction package.
· One of CoverdellÂ's signature proposals: Education Saving Accounts. ESAÂ's would allow parents to save money tax-free to invest in various education resources. Despite Congressional support, Clinton vetoed the plan saying it undermined public education.