Max Sandlin
Encyclopedia
Max Sandlin is a lawyer, lobbyist, American
politician
, and former Democratic
Congressman
who served eight years (1997–2005) in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Texas District 1
.
He was a member of the senior House Democratic leadership, serving as Chief Deputy Whip. He served on the powerful and exclusive Ways and Means Committee
, the Financial Services Committee
, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
. He was an elected and later a leadership representative on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and also among the small group of legislators selected for the Parliamentary Group, representatives called upon for rapid parliamentary and procedural action on the floor of the U.S. House.
Sandlin was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and was Chairman of the Blue Dog Energy Task Force. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Financial Services Task Force and was a member of the New Democrat Coalition
.
While in the House, Sandlin was frequently asked to present and argue policy, and the Austin American-Statesman
noted "Sandlin is a forceful and articulate speaker, a lawyer by trade who treats audiences like juries that can be charmed, coaxed, inspired and won over."
The Paris Daily News noted that "Sandlin is highly polished...with God-given speaking talents" and an "...ability to communicate eloquently."
Sandlin was known as a consensus builder, and the Almanac of American Politics
noted that he had a "...moderate voting record that straddles Democratic wings."
The Democratic Caucus and leadership often called upon Sandlin's coalition-building skills and U.S. Rep. George Miller
(D-CA) noted "We've always looked for a way to build that bridge [between liberals and centrists]. He [Sandlin] certainly has that talent."
The Austin American-Statesman added that "Sandlin's a versatile campaigner, equally at home with Unitarians as he is in a roomful of good ol' boys."
Sandlin was a primary target of the Republican 2003 re-redistricting process
orchestrated by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
(R-TX). As a result of the gerrymandered districts, Sandlin and the other members of what came to be known as The Texas Five lost their seats in what they said was an illegal and unconstitutional effort to dilute and eliminate the voices of rural and minority voters.
Prior to his service in Congress, Sandlin practiced law in Texas and had a broad-based litigation and business practice. He was active in the banking and energy industries. He also served on the Board of Directors of East Texas Legal Services. He is a former County Judge and County Court at Law Judge. Sandlin is currently a Partner in and Co-Chairman of Mercury, a high-stakes public strategy firm.
Sandlin is a graduate of Baylor University
, where he was named Outstanding Young Alumni, and Baylor University School of Law
, where he was a member of the National Championship Mock Trial
Team. He was the Distinguished Speaker for the John William Minton and Florence Dean Minton Endowed Law School Lecture Series at Law Day 2004 at Baylor Law School.
Sandlin is a former youth baseball, basketball, and softball coach. He is the father of five children, has one grandchild, and is married to former U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, and former Democratic
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...
Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
who served eight years (1997–2005) in the U.S. House of Representatives representing Texas District 1
Texas's 1st congressional district
Texas's First congressional district in the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves the northeastern portion of the state of Texas. As of the 2000 Census, the First District represents 651,619 people...
.
He was a member of the senior House Democratic leadership, serving as Chief Deputy Whip. He served on the powerful and exclusive Ways and Means Committee
United States House Committee on Ways and Means
The Committee of Ways and Means is the chief tax-writing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Members of the Ways and Means Committee are not allowed to serve on any other House Committees unless they apply for a waiver from their party's congressional leadership...
, the Financial Services Committee
United States House Committee on Financial Services
The United States House Committee on Financial Services is the committee of the United States House of Representatives that oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries...
, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. John Mica currently chairs the committee.-History:...
. He was an elected and later a leadership representative on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and also among the small group of legislators selected for the Parliamentary Group, representatives called upon for rapid parliamentary and procedural action on the floor of the U.S. House.
Sandlin was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and was Chairman of the Blue Dog Energy Task Force. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Financial Services Task Force and was a member of the New Democrat Coalition
New Democrat Coalition
The New Democrat Coalition is a Congressional Member Organization within the United States Congress made up of Democrats who support an agenda that the organization describes as moderate and pro-growth. A July 2009 Press release described the organization as "the largest moderate coalition in the U.S...
.
While in the House, Sandlin was frequently asked to present and argue policy, and the Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman
The Austin American-Statesman is the major daily newspaper for Austin, the capital city of Texas. It is an award-winning publication owned by Cox Enterprises. The Newspaper places focus on issues affecting Austin and the Central Texas region....
noted "Sandlin is a forceful and articulate speaker, a lawyer by trade who treats audiences like juries that can be charmed, coaxed, inspired and won over."
The Paris Daily News noted that "Sandlin is highly polished...with God-given speaking talents" and an "...ability to communicate eloquently."
Sandlin was known as a consensus builder, and the Almanac of American Politics
Almanac of American Politics
The Almanac of American Politics is a reference work published biennially by the National Journal Group. It aims to provide a detailed look at the politics of the United States through an approach of profiling individual leaders and areas of the country....
noted that he had a "...moderate voting record that straddles Democratic wings."
The Democratic Caucus and leadership often called upon Sandlin's coalition-building skills and U.S. Rep. George Miller
George Miller (politician)
George Miller III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. From 2007 through 2010, Miller served as chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, formerly known as the Education and the Workforce Committee.-Early life, education, and early...
(D-CA) noted "We've always looked for a way to build that bridge [between liberals and centrists]. He [Sandlin] certainly has that talent."
The Austin American-Statesman added that "Sandlin's a versatile campaigner, equally at home with Unitarians as he is in a roomful of good ol' boys."
Sandlin was a primary target of the Republican 2003 re-redistricting process
2003 Texas redistricting
The 2003 Texas redistricting refers to a controversial mid-decade congressional redistricting plan appealed to the United States Supreme Court in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry...
orchestrated by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay
Tom DeLay
Thomas Dale "Tom" DeLay is a former member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1984 until 2006. He was Republican Party House Majority Leader from 2003 to 2005, when he resigned because of criminal money laundering charges in...
(R-TX). As a result of the gerrymandered districts, Sandlin and the other members of what came to be known as The Texas Five lost their seats in what they said was an illegal and unconstitutional effort to dilute and eliminate the voices of rural and minority voters.
Prior to his service in Congress, Sandlin practiced law in Texas and had a broad-based litigation and business practice. He was active in the banking and energy industries. He also served on the Board of Directors of East Texas Legal Services. He is a former County Judge and County Court at Law Judge. Sandlin is currently a Partner in and Co-Chairman of Mercury, a high-stakes public strategy firm.
Sandlin is a graduate of Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, where he was named Outstanding Young Alumni, and Baylor University School of Law
Baylor Law School
Founded in 1857, Baylor Law School is the oldest law school in Texas and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1931 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1938. Baylor Law School is affiliated with Baylor University and located in Waco, Texas...
, where he was a member of the National Championship Mock Trial
Mock trial
A Mock Trial is an act or imitation trial. It is similar to a moot court, but mock trials simulate lower-court trials, while moot court simulates appellate court hearings. Attorneys preparing for a real trial might use a mock trial consisting of volunteers as role players to test theories or...
Team. He was the Distinguished Speaker for the John William Minton and Florence Dean Minton Endowed Law School Lecture Series at Law Day 2004 at Baylor Law School.
Sandlin is a former youth baseball, basketball, and softball coach. He is the father of five children, has one grandchild, and is married to former U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD).