David Harmer
Encyclopedia
David Harmer is an American attorney
from San Ramon, California
. In 2010 Harmer ran for election to the United States House of Representatives
from California's 11th Congressional District
. Harmer became his party's nominee after winning a four-way race in the Republican primary, but ultimately lost to the Democratic incumbent in the tightest Congressional race in California that year.
the former Lieutenant Governor of California
under then Governor Ronald Reagan
and Carolyn Jonas Harmer, a homemaker and English teacher. He served two terms as student body president at Oakmont High School in Roseville, California, from which he graduated in 1979. Thereafter, he attended Brigham Young University, interrupting his studies to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina from 1981-1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University
in December, 1984, majoring in English. He graduated from Brigham Young University
's J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1988.
In 1988-89, Harmer worked as counsel to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
; he was appointed by Senator
Orrin Hatch
.
Harmer was sworn in as a member of the State Bar of California on November 22, 1989 (State Bar No. 141892)., and that same year returned to California to work as a fellow at the College of Public Law at the non-profit Pacific Legal Foundation
, where he worked in P.L.F.'s environmental law section.
Harmer began working at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles in October, 1990, a firm he had clerked for while in law school.
In 1994, Harmer returned to his Utah roots, where he managed the congressional campaign of Enid Greene Waldholtz. That campaign was victorious, and from 1995–96, he served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Enid Greene Waldholtz.
(August 4, 1997-2009 Information needed!)
to replace U.S. Congresswoman Enid Greene Waldholtz.
by a vote of 53% to 43%.
by a vote of 49% to 46.8%.
The general election was close enough that the result was not immediately known, pending a definitive count to include all absentee ballots. On November 24, the Associated Press
reported that McNerney had defeated Harmer, with McNerney holding a lead of nearly 2,500 votes with fewer than 1,900 votes left to be counted, but Harmer delayed conceding so that every vote could be counted. Harmer conceded the election on December 4, 2010.
. One of Harmer's op-ed articles on school choice
, titled "Abolish the Public Schools", stated that the government should "exit the business of running and funding schools."
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
from San Ramon, California
San Ramon, California
-2010 census:The 2010 United States Census reported that San Ramon had a population of 72,148. The population density was 3,991.1 people per square mile...
. In 2010 Harmer ran for election to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from California's 11th Congressional District
California's 11th congressional district
California's 11th congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of California. Based in Northern California, it encompasses parts of San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties....
. Harmer became his party's nominee after winning a four-way race in the Republican primary, but ultimately lost to the Democratic incumbent in the tightest Congressional race in California that year.
Early life, education, and early career
Born in Glendale, California, as the oldest of ten children, David Harmer is the son of John L. HarmerJohn L. Harmer
John L. Harmer is a former California politician who served in the California State Senate as a Republican from 1966 to 1974. He went on to serve briefly as the 40th Lieutenant Governor of California from 1974 to 1975, after the resignation of Edwin Reinecke on October 4, 1974. Departing Governor...
the former Lieutenant Governor of California
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
under then Governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and Carolyn Jonas Harmer, a homemaker and English teacher. He served two terms as student body president at Oakmont High School in Roseville, California, from which he graduated in 1979. Thereafter, he attended Brigham Young University, interrupting his studies to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina from 1981-1983. He received his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in December, 1984, majoring in English. He graduated from Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
's J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1988.
In 1988-89, Harmer worked as counsel to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
The United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary is a standing committee of the United States Senate, of the United States Congress. The Judiciary Committee, with 18 members, is charged with conducting hearings prior to the Senate votes on confirmation of federal judges nominated by the...
; he was appointed by Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Orrin Hatch
Orrin Hatch
Orrin Grant Hatch is the senior United States Senator for Utah and is a member of the Republican Party. Hatch served as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1993 to 2005...
.
Harmer was sworn in as a member of the State Bar of California on November 22, 1989 (State Bar No. 141892)., and that same year returned to California to work as a fellow at the College of Public Law at the non-profit Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is the first and oldest conservative/libertarian public interest law firm in the United States. PLF was established for the purpose of defending and promoting individual and economic freedom in the courts...
, where he worked in P.L.F.'s environmental law section.
Harmer began working at the law firm O’Melveny & Myers in Los Angeles in October, 1990, a firm he had clerked for while in law school.
In 1994, Harmer returned to his Utah roots, where he managed the congressional campaign of Enid Greene Waldholtz. That campaign was victorious, and from 1995–96, he served as chief of staff to U.S. Representative Enid Greene Waldholtz.
(August 4, 1997-2009 Information needed!)
1996
Harmer unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Utah's 2nd DistrictUtah's 2nd congressional district
Utah's 2nd congressional district currently serves the largely rural southern and eastern portions of Utah, including Saint George and Moab in the south and Vernal in the east, as well as the east side of urban Salt Lake County, the northern portion of Utah County, and Wasatch County. The current...
to replace U.S. Congresswoman Enid Greene Waldholtz.
2009
Harmer lost the election to Democrat John GaramendiJohn Garamendi
John Raymond Garamendi is the U.S. Representative for , serving since November 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Garamendi was the California State Insurance Commissioner from 1991 to 1995, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998, and the California State Insurance...
by a vote of 53% to 43%.
2010
Harmer lost the election to incumbent Democrat Jerry McNerneyJerry McNerney
Gerald "Jerry" McNerney is an engineer, energy specialist, and the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
by a vote of 49% to 46.8%.
The general election was close enough that the result was not immediately known, pending a definitive count to include all absentee ballots. On November 24, the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
reported that McNerney had defeated Harmer, with McNerney holding a lead of nearly 2,500 votes with fewer than 1,900 votes left to be counted, but Harmer delayed conceding so that every vote could be counted. Harmer conceded the election on December 4, 2010.
Publications
In 1994 Harmer authored the book School choice: why you need it — how you get it published by the Cato InstituteCato Institute
The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane, who remains president and CEO, and Charles Koch, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the conglomerate Koch Industries, Inc., the largest privately held...
. One of Harmer's op-ed articles on school choice
School choice
School choice is a term used to describe a wide array of programs aimed at giving families the opportunity to choose the school their children will attend. As a matter of form, school choice does not give preference to one form of schooling or another, rather manifests itself whenever a student...
, titled "Abolish the Public Schools", stated that the government should "exit the business of running and funding schools."
Personal life
Harmer's wife Elayne Harmer is a native of Argentina and is a substitute teacher in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. They and their four children live in San Ramon, California where his children attend public schools.External links
- Harmer for Congress official campaign website
- David Harmer, Republican Oakland Tribune profile
- Project Vote Smart - David Harmer - Biography