Dan Boren
Encyclopedia
Daniel David "Dan" Boren (born August 2, 1973) is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district includes most of the eastern part of the state outside of Tulsa. He is a member of the Democratic Party
.
Boren announced on June 7, 2011 that he will not seek re-election to the House in 2012.
to Janna Lou Little and David Lyle Boren, current University of Oklahoma
President and former Governor of Oklahoma
and U.S. Senator.
His grandfather, Lyle Boren
, also served in the U.S. Congress — representing southeastern Oklahoma (Oklahoma's 4th congressional district
) from 1937 to 1947.
He received a B.S.
from Texas Christian University (TCU)
in 1997, and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma
in 2000. He was a member of Kappa Sigma
fraternity.
Boren served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from 2002 to 2004, representing the 28th House District.
Boren is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
In 2006, the nonpartisan environmental group League of Conservation Voters
included Boren in its “Dirty Dozen” list of anti-environment federal officeholders, citing his “dismal voting record on issues of environmental importance.” This record included support for the Energy Policy Act of 2005
— a bill criticized for the billions of dollars in subsidies it provided the oil and nuclear industries — as well as opposition to policies designed to increase fuel efficiency
and to increase accountability for producers of the pollutant and fuel additive MBTE. Boren also voted in favor of the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act
, a bill that environmental groups said would drastically reduce the protections in the Endangered Species Act
. Boren was a cosponsor of H.R. 25, the FairTax Act, which replaces federal taxes with a flat sales tax. This legislation attracted 59 members in the 109th Congress, more than any other tax reform proposal.
On July 10, 2007, Boren was one of ten Democrats to vote against a bill to withdraw troops by April 1, 2008. Later that month, he announced his opposition to the 2007 Iraq troop surge
.
In January 2009, along with all other members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Boren said he opposed President Obama's decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
On May 15, 2008 Boren was elected to the board of directors of the National Rifle Association
. Boren said that he was a lifetime member of the NRA.
In November 2009, Boren voted along with 39 other Democrats against the Affordable Health Care for America Act
. Boren also voted against the final bill, in March. He said "only 17 percent of my constituents supported the bill." In January 2011, Boren was one of 3 Democrats to vote with the unified Republican caucus for its repeal.
In 2011, he co-sponsored HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
, The bill contained an exception for "forcible rape," which opponents criticized as potentially excluding drug-facilitated rape, date rape, and other forms of rape. The bill also allowed an exception for minors who are victims of incest.
In July 2011, Boren was one of five Democrats to vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act.
announced that "Rep. Dan Boren, the only Democrat in Oklahoma's seven-person congressional delegation, will not seek re-election in 2012, setting up what could be an intense partisan battle for a seat that spans much of eastern Oklahoma ."
, succeeding Rep. Brad Carson
, who was retiring from the House to run for the United States Senate. He defeated Republican candidate Wayland Smalley by more than 85,000 votes (66% to 34%) and was inaugurated in the 109th Congress
in January 2005. Boren was one of only two politicians endorsed by country
singer Toby Keith
, the other being President
George W. Bush
. Boren was re-elected in 2006.
Boren's fiscally conservative leanings fit with the political demographics of his district. The 2nd was once a Democratic stronghold, but has become increasingly friendly to Republicans as Tulsa's suburbs have begun to encroach on the district. The district has voted for the Republican candidate in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Presidential elections, by double-digit margins in the latter two years.
, the starting Quarterback
who led the Oklahoma Sooners
to win the 2000 BCS National Championship
and who currently serves as the University of Oklahoma
's co-offensive coordinator. Dan and Andrea recently moved to Muskogee
.
Dan and Andrea have a daughter, Janna Lou, born on October 9, 2007, and a son, Hunter Daniel, born September 23, 2010.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Boren announced on June 7, 2011 that he will not seek re-election to the House in 2012.
Early life, education and career
Boren was born in Shawnee, OklahomaShawnee, Oklahoma
Shawnee is a city in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 29,857 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the Oklahoma City-Shawnee Combined Statistical Area; it is also the county seat of Pottawatomie County and the principal city of the Shawnee Micropolitan Statistical...
to Janna Lou Little and David Lyle Boren, current University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
President and former Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
and U.S. Senator.
His grandfather, Lyle Boren
Lyle Boren
Lyle Hagler Boren was a U.S. Democratic Party politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma, serving from 1937 to 1947 and was defeated for renomination in 1946...
, also served in the U.S. Congress — representing southeastern Oklahoma (Oklahoma's 4th congressional district
Oklahoma's 4th congressional district
Oklahoma's Fourth Congressional District is located in south-central Oklahoma and covers a total of 15 counties. Its principal cities include Midwest City, Norman, Moore, Ada, Duncan, Lawton/Ft. Sill, and Ardmore...
) from 1937 to 1947.
He received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from Texas Christian University (TCU)
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in 1997, and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
in 2000. He was a member of Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma , commonly nicknamed Kappa Sig, is an international fraternity with currently 282 active chapters and colonies in North America. Kappa Sigma has initiated more than 240,000 men on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada. Today, the Fraternity has over 175,000 living...
fraternity.
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
from 2002 to 2004, representing the 28th House District.
Committee assignments
Boren, as of the 111th Congress, is a member of the following committees:- Committee on Armed ServicesUnited States House Committee on Armed Servicesthumb|United States House Committee on Armed Services emblemThe U.S. House Committee on Armed Services, commonly known as the House Armed Services Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives...
- Subcommittee on ReadinessUnited States House Armed Services Subcommittee on ReadinessHouse Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness is a subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee in the United States House of Representatives.-Jurisdiction:The Readiness Subcommittee exercises oversight and legislative jurisdiction over:...
- Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces
- Subcommittee on Readiness
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral ResourcesUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral ResourcesThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:*...
- Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsUnited States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public LandsThe United States House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands is one of the five subcommittees within the House Natural Resources Committee-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:*...
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
- Permanent Select Committee on IntelligenceUnited States House Permanent Select Committee on IntelligenceThe United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is a committee of the United States House of Representatives, currently chaired by Mike Rogers. It is the primary committee in the U.S...
- Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and CounterintelligenceUnited States House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and CounterintelligenceThe House Intelligence Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT [Human Intelligence], Analysis and Counterintelligence is one of the three subcommittees within the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence- Members, 112th Congress :- External links :*...
- Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsUnited States House Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsThe House Intelligence Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is one of the four subcommittees within the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence- Members, 112th Congress :- External links :*...
- Subcommittee on Terrorism/HUMINT, Analysis and Counterintelligence
Boren is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.
In 2006, the nonpartisan environmental group League of Conservation Voters
League of Conservation Voters
The League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
included Boren in its “Dirty Dozen” list of anti-environment federal officeholders, citing his “dismal voting record on issues of environmental importance.” This record included support for the Energy Policy Act of 2005
Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is a bill passed by the United States Congress on July 29, 2005, and signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005, at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico...
— a bill criticized for the billions of dollars in subsidies it provided the oil and nuclear industries — as well as opposition to policies designed to increase fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
and to increase accountability for producers of the pollutant and fuel additive MBTE. Boren also voted in favor of the Threatened and Endangered Species Recovery Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
, a bill that environmental groups said would drastically reduce the protections in the Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
. Boren was a cosponsor of H.R. 25, the FairTax Act, which replaces federal taxes with a flat sales tax. This legislation attracted 59 members in the 109th Congress, more than any other tax reform proposal.
On July 10, 2007, Boren was one of ten Democrats to vote against a bill to withdraw troops by April 1, 2008. Later that month, he announced his opposition to the 2007 Iraq troop surge
Iraq War troop surge of 2007
In the context of the Iraq War, the surge refers to United States President George W. Bush's 2007 increase in the number of American troops in order to provide security to Baghdad and Al Anbar Province....
.
In January 2009, along with all other members of the Oklahoma congressional delegation, Boren said he opposed President Obama's decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
On May 15, 2008 Boren was elected to the board of directors of the National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
. Boren said that he was a lifetime member of the NRA.
In November 2009, Boren voted along with 39 other Democrats against the Affordable Health Care for America Act
Affordable Health Care for America Act
The Affordable Health Care for America Act was a bill that was crafted by the United States House of Representatives in November 2009. At the encouragement of the Obama administration, the 111th Congress devoted much of its time to enacting reform of the United States' health care system...
. Boren also voted against the final bill, in March. He said "only 17 percent of my constituents supported the bill." In January 2011, Boren was one of 3 Democrats to vote with the unified Republican caucus for its repeal.
In 2011, he co-sponsored HR 3, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act is a bill that was introduced to the 112th Congress of the United States in the House of Representatives by Rep. Chris Smith and Dan Lipinski . Although the bill is a bipartisan effort, most of the 173 co-sponsors are Republicans...
, The bill contained an exception for "forcible rape," which opponents criticized as potentially excluding drug-facilitated rape, date rape, and other forms of rape. The bill also allowed an exception for minors who are victims of incest.
In July 2011, Boren was one of five Democrats to vote for the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act.
Retirement
On June 7, 2011, The OklahomanThe Oklahoman
The Oklahoman is the largest daily newspaper in Oklahoma and is the only daily newspaper that covers the entire Oklahoma City area.-Ownership:...
announced that "Rep. Dan Boren, the only Democrat in Oklahoma's seven-person congressional delegation, will not seek re-election in 2012, setting up what could be an intense partisan battle for a seat that spans much of eastern Oklahoma ."
Political campaigns
In the 2004 elections to the U.S. House of Representatives, Boren ran as the Democratic candidate for Oklahoma's second congressional districtCongressional district
A congressional district is “a geographical division of a state from which one member of the House of Representatives is elected.”Congressional Districts are made up of three main components, a representative, constituents, and the specific land area that both the representative and the...
, succeeding Rep. Brad Carson
Brad Carson
Brad Rogers Carson is an American lawyer and politician from the state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 2001 to 2005.-Background:...
, who was retiring from the House to run for the United States Senate. He defeated Republican candidate Wayland Smalley by more than 85,000 votes (66% to 34%) and was inaugurated in the 109th Congress
109th United States Congress
The One Hundred Ninth United States Congress was the legislative branch of the United States, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, from January 3, 2005 to January 3, 2007, during the fifth and sixth years of George W. Bush's presidency. House members...
in January 2005. Boren was one of only two politicians endorsed by country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Toby Keith
Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
, the other being President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Boren was re-elected in 2006.
Boren's fiscally conservative leanings fit with the political demographics of his district. The 2nd was once a Democratic stronghold, but has become increasingly friendly to Republicans as Tulsa's suburbs have begun to encroach on the district. The district has voted for the Republican candidate in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Presidential elections, by double-digit margins in the latter two years.
Electoral history
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Boren | Democratic Party | 108,203 | 56.52% | ||
| Charles Thompson | Republican Party | 83,266 | 43.48% | ||
| Source: 2010 General Election Results | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Boren | Democratic Party | 66,439 | 75.55% | ||
| Jim Wilson Jim Wilson (Oklahoma politician) Jim Wilson is an Oklahoma Senator from District 3, which includes Adair, Cherokee and Sequoyah counties, since 2004. He earlier was a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2000 through 2004. He ran unsuccessfully against Democrat Incumbent US Rep. Dan Boren in Oklahoma's 2nd... |
Democratic Party | 21,496 | 24.45% | ||
| Source: 2010 Primary Election Results | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Boren | Democratic Party | 173,757 | 70.47% | ||
| Raymond Wickson | Republican Party | 72,815 | 29.53% | ||
| Source: 2008 Election Results | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Boren | Democratic Party | 122,347 | 72.74% | ||
| Patrick K. Miller | Republican Party | 45,861 | 27.26% | ||
| Source: 2006 Election Results | |||||
| Candidates | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Boren | Democratic Party | 179,579 | 65.89% | ||
| Wayland Smalley | Republican Party | 92,963 | 34.11% | ||
| Source: 2004 Election Results | |||||
Personal life
Boren is married to Andrea Heupel, who is the sister of Josh HeupelJosh Heupel
Josh Heupel, , is the current co-offensive coordinator at the University of Oklahoma. He was the quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners football team in 1999-2000, and led Oklahoma to the 2000 national championship.-Personal:...
, the starting Quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
who led the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
to win the 2000 BCS National Championship
2001 Orange Bowl
The 2001 FedEx Orange Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game and BCS National Championship match between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida State Seminoles on January 3, 2001, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida...
and who currently serves as the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
's co-offensive coordinator. Dan and Andrea recently moved to Muskogee
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee is a city in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. It is the county seat of Muskogee County, and home to Bacone College. The population was 38,310 at the 2000 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Oklahoma....
.
Dan and Andrea have a daughter, Janna Lou, born on October 9, 2007, and a son, Hunter Daniel, born September 23, 2010.
External links
- Representative Dan Boren official U.S. House site
- Congressman Dan Boren official campaign site