Mark Foley



Mark Adam Foley was a Republican member of the U. S. House of Representatives representing the 16th District of Florida (map) from 1995 to 2006.

Bio
Foley was born September 8, 1954 in Newton, Massachusetts. He was educated at Palm Beach Community College, and was a business owner, and a member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate before entering the House.

Congressional career
In 2003, Foley was widely considered the Republican frontrunner for retiring Bob Graham's Senate seat until he withdrew from the race.

Foley voted for Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, but in 2004 was among a handful of Congressional Republicans who opposed the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Iraq War
Foley voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Tim Mahoney to face Foley in his November 2006 bid for reelection. (See U.S. congressional elections in 2006)

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
Foley is an alumnus of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), being a member when he was in the Florida legislature. During the time he was Deputy Majority Whip in the U.S. House, ALEC began a new alumni forum for former members who serve in public office, called the "ALEC Alumni Forum." It was launched in 2001 and is "charged with developing a national forum to encourage improved communications among current and former ALEC members. Alumni Forum activities will include special investigations and speaking engagements at major ALEC events, and joint policy members with state and national leaders. . . . Through the Alumni Forum program, ALEC will seek the support of its former members in the development of reforms that reflect the principles of the organization at all levels of government."

2000 presidential election
Foley’s congressional district (FL-16) included part of Palm Beach County, a site of much debate during the 2000 U.S. presidential election. Critics of the election results argued that many in the county mistakenly voted for Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan when they intended to vote for Vice-President Al Gore, the Democratic candidate. The mistaken votes, critics argued, would have easily swung the state of Florida, and the presidency, to Gore. Foley, who won his congressional race in 2000, defended the results by arguing that a Reform Party candidate opposing him drew 2,651 votes in the election, signaling proof of their support in the area. He stated, "The allegations that people were voting in error because they were confused is nonsensical." 

Nearly two weeks following the election, on November 18, 2000, Foley delivered the weekly Republican radio address. At this point, the election outcome remained uncertain. Foley remarked that his Palm Beach constituents, "have been caught in the middle of a chaos created by outsiders who will not take defeat for an answer, and by a ballot-counting process that is impossible and inconsistent." He called for a quick end to the lawsuits and appeals, declaring that the election had been decided (in favor of George W. Bush)

Sexual orientation and politics
During 2004 Senate campaign, longstanding rumors surfaced that Foley is either gay or bisexual and is in a longterm relationship with a man. Initially published only in the gay press, the New Times broke the story in the mainstream press which led to other papers including the New York Press addressing the topic.

Foley held a press conference to denounce the "revolting" rumors and stated that his sexual orientation was unimportant. "He wanted reporters to know that he won't answer questions about his sexuality; it has nothing to do with his candidacy." A few weeks later, he withdrew his Senate candidacy, saying he wanted to spend time with his ailing father (the seat was later won by Republican Mel Martinez).

Congressional page scandal
Foley resigned from Congress on September 29, 2006, in advance of an ABC News story about sexually explicit emails and instant messenger exchanges with Congressional pages under the age of 18. See the Congresspedia article on Mark Foley page scandal for full details, including the investigations, cover-ups, and political fallout from the scandal.

Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Ways and Means
 * Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures
 * Subcommittee on Trade

Coalitions and Cacuses

 * Member and Co-Chair, Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus
 * Member, Its My Party Too
 * Member, Republican Main Street Partnership
 * Member, The Republican Majority For Choice

Resources

 * Official website
 * Campaign website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Articles

 * Brad Hahn and Steve Friess, "Florida recount to continue through Thursday," South Florida Sun-Sentinel, November 8, 2000.
 * "GOP's Foley: 'This election should be over'," CNN, November 18, 2000.
 * Adam C. Smith, “Don't ask, because Mark Foley won't tell,” St. Petersburg Times (FL), June 1, 2003.
 * Mick Meenan, “U.S. Rep. Mark Foley calls press to say he won't talk about his sexual orientation,” Gay City News, May 30 - June 5, 2003.
 * Michelangelo Signorile, "Liberace Candidate: Mark Foley's glass closet," New York Press, August 23-29, 2006.
 * Michael Peltier, "Florida court bars signs for Foley replacement," Reuters, October 18, 2006.
 * Jeffrey Young, "Biz groups want their money back," The Hill, October 18, 2006.
 * John Aravosis, "Who do you have to sleep with to not get a top rating from the Family Research Council and Focus on the Family?" AMERICAblog, October 24, 2006.
 * Jon Ponder, "Speaking of Chickenhawks, Where Is Mark Foley?" Pensito Review, November 1, 2006.

More Background Data

 * List of Candidates for FL CD16 (Mark Foley's) seat in Congress from VIS

Contact
DC Office: 104 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-0916 Phone: 202-225-5792 Fax: 202-225-3132 Web Email Website

District Office- Highlands County: Sebring City Hall Phone: 863-471-1813 Fax:

District Office- Palm Beach Gardens: 4440 PGA Boulevard, Suite 406 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Phone: 561-627-6192 Fax: 561-626-4749

District Office- Port Charlotte: 18500 Murdock Circle, Suite 536 Port Charlotte, FL 33948 Phone: 941-627-9100 Fax: 941-627-9101

District Office- Port Saint Lucie: 250 Northwest Country Club Drive Port Saint Lucie, FL 34986 Phone: 772-878-3181 Fax: 772-871-0651