Jon Porter



Jon Christopher Porter, a Republican, is a former U.S. Representative for the 3rd Congressional District of Nevada, having served 2003 to 2009.

Fundraising calls made from congressional office
In October of 2006, a former aide to Porter stated that he had allegedly witnessed the congressman making phone calls to potential political donors at least five separate times during the spring of that year. He allegedly e-mailed Porter's chief of staff about his concerns about the legality and possible ramifications of such actions. The aide in question only notified the media of the alleged "phone calls" ONLY after he was fired for actions not relating to the alleged phone calls. When asked to provide evidence of the calls or email, he could not produce any. House rules prevent any campaigning or fundraising being carried out from congressional offices. 

Background
Porter was born May 16, 1955 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He attended Briar Cliff College, and worked in his family business before being elected to the Boulder City, Nevada, City Council in 1983, and in the same year becoming an agent for Farmer's Insurance. He was elected Mayor of Boulder City in 1987 and served in that capacity until 1991.

Congressional career
Porter served in the Nevada State Senate from 1994 to 2002, when he was elected to the U.S. House to represent Nevada's newly created Third District. The new district includes Las Vegas suburbs, a result of rapid growth in the southern part of the state.

Porter is a member of the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Tessa Hafen to face Porter in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006) Porter retained his seat.

Money in politics
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Committees

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support
 * House Committee on Budget

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness
 * Subcommittee on Select Education
 * House Committee on Government Reform
 * Subcommittee on Federal Workforce and Agency Organization - Chair
 * Subcommittee on National Security Emerging Threats and International Relations
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Railroads

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Republican Main Street Partnership

Boards and other Affiliations

 * University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Institute for Insurance and Risk Management
 * Nellis Air Force Base Civilian Military Council
 * Board of Directors, Nevada League of Cities
 * Charter Board Member, Southern Nevada Water Authority
 * Western Insurance Information Service/ Nevada Insurance Council


 * 2006 Nevada CD 3 Candidate List from VIS

External resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * FWAO Committee site
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Freedom's Watch

External articles

 * "Rep. Porter points out the ‘danger of blogs’," Think Progress, August 27, 2007.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Las Vegas Gleaner
 * Reno Discontent
 * Vote Gibbons Out