Phil Roe

David Phillip “Phil” Roe, MD (born July 21, 1945) is the U.S. Representative for TN's 1st congressional district, serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district is based in the Tri-Cities area in the northeastern portion of the state.

Early life, education, and career
Roe was born on July 21, 1945 in Clarksville, Tennessee. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in 1967 and earned his Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1972.

After graduating from medical school, Roe served in the United States Army Medical Corps, attached to the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, South Korea. He was discharged as a major in 1974. He then went into OB/GYN practice in Johnson City, retiring after 31 years.

Political career
Roe was first elected to the Johnson City Commission in 2003, serving as vice mayor of Johnson City from 2003–2007 and then as mayor from 2007 to 2009.

Elections

 * 2008

Roe defeated incumbent congressman David Davis in the 2008 primary by 500 votes. Davis blamed his loss on votes from Democrats who crossed over to vote for Roe in the open primary. Roe had previously run for the seat in 2006 when 10-year incumbent Bill Jenkins announced his retirement, but lost to Davis in that year's primary.

Roe defeated Democrat Rob Russell, director of the Writing and Communication Center at East Tennessee State University, in the November general election with 72 percent of the vote. However, it was widely presumed that Roe had clinched a seat in Congress with his victory in the primary. Republicans have held the 1st district seat continuously since 1881, and for all but four years since 1859.


 * 2010

Roe won re-election in 2010 with 80.8% of the vote against Democrat Michael Clark.

Tenure
In a district known for giving its congressmen very long tenures in Washington, Roe has promised to serve only 10 years (five terms) in the House.

Roe has hired Andrew Duke, a former chief of staff for North Carolina Republican congressman Robin Hayes, as his chief of staff. According to National Journal’s 2009 Vote Ratings, he was ranked as the 101st conservative in the House.

Committee assignments

 * Committee on Education and the Workforce
 * Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
 * Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (Chairman)
 * Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Health
 * Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Caucus memberships

 * International Conservation Caucus
 * Physician's Caucus
 * Republican Study Committee
 * Sportsmen's Caucus
 * Tea Party Caucus
 * Congressional Arts Caucus
 * Academic Medicine Caucus

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