Tom Rooney

Thomas J. Rooney is a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 16th district of the State of Florida, since 2009 (map).

Positions, record and controversies
Congressman Tom Rooney (FL-16) believes in less government, less taxes, and more freedom. Tom’s military, legal, and public service experience make him uniquely qualified to be our congressman. First on his agenda is a bill blocking an automatic $4,700 pay raise for members of Congress, which could save taxpayers $2.5 million. Rooney said putting off the raise would be a show of fiscal responsibility at a time of severe economic distress. “It goes to show what we’re thinking and what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Bio
Tom Rooney was raised in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and graduating from the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach. In college, Rooney played football for Syracuse University and Washington and Jefferson College outside of Pittsburgh where he earned his B.A in English Literature.

After working for Sen. Connie Mack (R-Fla.), in Washington D.C., Rooney returned to the Sunshine State to attend the University of Florida where he received his masters degree. From there Tom went to the University of Miami, School of Law where he received his J.D. and became a member of the Florida Bar in 1999. Tom met and married his wife, Tara, while at law school.

Tom and Tara then spent over four years in the United States Army JAG Corps. Most notably, he served as Special Assistant U.S Attorney at Fort Hood, Texas, prosecuting all civilian crimes on post. Rooney successfully prosecuted more than ten trials in just over two years. He also gained hundreds of convictions during that time.

In 2002, Rooney began teaching Constitutional and Criminal Law at the United States military Academy at West Point, New York. This position is reserved for the top Judge Advocates in the Army. Tom received two Army Commendation Medals for his service and remains in the U.S. Army Inactive Ready Reserves.

Rooney returned to Florida where he went to work as an Assistant Attorney General under Charlie Crist. While working as a criminal prosecutor for the Office of Attorney General, Tom became involved with “The Children’s Place at Home Safe,” a local charity that each year serves over 300 abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Because of his work as director of Home Safe, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Rooney to the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County Board of Directors in January 2006. After his second year as director, Rooney returned to the Board of Directors of Children’s Place and resumed his practice of law in Stuart, Florida with the law firm of Kramer, Sopko & Levenstein, P.A.

The Rooneys reside in Tequesta, Florida with their three sons: Tom Jr., Sean and Seamus.

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Contact
DC Office: 1529 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5792 Fax: 202) 225-3132 Web Email Website

District Office - Stuart: 335 S. East Ocean Blvd Stuart, FL 34994 Phone: (772) 288-4668 Fax: (772) 288-4631

District Office - Punta Gorda: 226 Taylor Street, Suite 200 Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Phone: (941)-575-9101 Fax: (941)-575-9103

2008 Election
Rooney won the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) in the 2008 congressional elections. . Rooney defeated incumbent Tim Mahoney in the November 2008 general elections.

Endorsements
Rooney has received endorsements from:
 * Charlotte Sun (Port Charlotte, FL)
 * Senator Connie Mack (ret.)
 * Florida Governor Charlie Crist
 * The Marine Industries Of The Treasure Coast
 * Tampa Tribune-Highlands Today
 * The Palm Beach Post
 * RedState
 * The House Conservative Fund
 * Former Florida State Representative Joe Negron
 * The Police Benevolent Association of Palm Beach & Martin Counties
 * The Florida Irish-American Republicans
 * The Associated Builders & Contractors
 * Vets for Freedom
 * Florida Congressmen Connie Mack and Tom Feeney

Committees

 * The House Armed Services Committee
 * The House Committee on the Judiciary
 * The Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
 * The Military Personnel Subcommittee
 * The Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Florida and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Florida's 16th Congressional District
 * Official Tom Rooney for Congress website