wi_sen_NEUMANN
REP. MARK NEUMANN
Age: 44 Born: Feb. 27, 1954 in East Troy, Wisconsin Education: University of Wisconsin, M.S.(1977) B.S. (1975) Military: none Family: Married - Sue; 3 children Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin Religion: Lutheran Career: U.S. House of Representatives (1994-present); Owner, Neumann Corp. Real Estate & Development (1992-93); Home builder (1986-92); Realtor (1980-86); Math Professor (1980-89); High school teacher (1977-80) |
· Republican Rep. Mark Neumann was elected to the U.S. House in 1994, after two previous tries within two years for the same seat.
· In 1992, he spent $700,000 of his money and was defeated by incumbent Rep. Les Aspin. When Aspin resigned to become U.S. Secretary of Defense, he lost a special election against Democrat Peter Barca by only 675 votes. In 1994, with strong support from the Christian Coalition, he again faced and this time defeated Barca with 50% of the vote.
· Neumann worked as a high school and college math instructor prior to running for political office.
· While teaching, Neumann worked as a home builder on the side. In 1992, he started a business making computer models of custom homes. He sold the business when he ran for Congress.
· Neumann may be the symbolic Â'94 Freshman, with his fervent support of the Contract with America, but his relations with Newt Gingrich have been strained. When his amendment to an Appropriations bill - requiring Congressional approval for sending troops to Bosnia - failed, he refused to vote. Gingrich then kicked him off the National Security subcommittee. In 1997, Neumann voted "present" in GingrichÂ's re-election for Speaker.
· In the House, Neumann record on economics has been moderate, but he nears isolationist on foreign policy issues.
· He introduced his own plan that would balance the budget by 1999 and cut corporate welfare.