Harry Mitchell

Harry Mitchell, a Democrat, is a former U.S. Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Arizona, having served 2007 to 2011.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Biography
Born and raised in Tempe, Mitchell earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Arizona State University in 1962. He later earned a master's degree in public administration from ASU in 1980. In 1964, he began teaching American Government and Free Enterprise at Tempe High School, which he had attended and graduated from not long before. He held this position until he retired in 1992. 

In 1970, Mitchell entered the world of electoral politics when he was elected to the Tempe city council. In 1980, he was elected mayor - a job he held until his retirement in 1994. The position was part-time in nature, however, so he was able to continue teaching. In 1998, Mitchell sought and won a seat in the Arizona Senate, representing Tempe and parts of southern Scottsdale. Terms limits ensure that 2004 would be Mitchell's last campaign for Arizona Senate. One year later, with the 2006 midterm elections approaching, Mitchell ran unopposed for chair of the Arizona Democratic Party after chairman Jim Pederson stepped down to run for the United States Senate. He was elected on August 20, 2005. Mitchell himself stepped down from the position in April of 2006 when he announced his bid for U.S. Congress. 

He and his wife Marianne have two grown children. 

2006 election
Mitchell successfully challenged Republican Rep. J.D. Hayworth in the 2006 congressional elections.

2010 elections
In 2010, Mitchell lost his House seat to Republican David Schweikert.

Committees

 * House Committee on Science and Technology
 * Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways, Transit & Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources & Environment
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations -Ranking

Former contact
DC Office: 2434 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2190 Website and Web Email

District Office: 7201 East Camelback Road, Suite 335 Scottsdale, Arizona 85251 Phone: (480) 946-2411

External resources

 * Harry Mitchell for Congress, official campaign site.

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * AZ Congress Watch
 * Man Eegee - Latino Politico
 * Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion
 * Western Democrat
 * Blog for Arizona
 * Random Musings