Ed Whitfield was elected to Congress in 1994 and is currently serving his sixth term as U.S. Representative for the 34 counties of Kentucky’s First Congressional District.
Congressman Whitfield is the first Republican to represent Kentucky’s First District since the Civil War. He came to the House of Representatives to help reverse a 40-year reign of leadership that expanded the cost, reach and size of the federal government and showed indifference to America’s common-sense values. In 2004, he was reelected with 67 percent of the vote, winning a majority in each of the First District’s 34 counties.
Born May 25, 1943, Whitfield is a native of Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky. After graduation from Madisonville (Ky.) High School, he earned a Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky. Whitfield also studied at American University’s Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., where he now serves on the Board of Governors. Whitfield also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 100th Division of the U.S. Army Reserves.
Congressman Whitfield served in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1974-75 while practicing law in Hopkinsville and operated a successful oil distributorship in the west Kentucky coal fields. In 1979, he became Counsel to the President of Seaboard System Railroad in Washington, D.C. Four years later, he was named Vice President of State Relations for CSX Corporation and was promoted to Vice President for Federal Railroad Affairs in 1988. Whitfield served as Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) from 1991 to 1993 where he worked to reduce regulation of the nation’s barge, railroad and trucking industries.
Congressman Whitfield serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Whitfield is the Chairman of the Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of Departments, Agencies and issues, including general commerce, security, consumer protection, energy policy, safety, public health, travel and professional sports. In addition to his Chairmanship, Whitfield serves on the Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee and the Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee.
During his six terms in Congress, there are a number of issues that Whitfield has embraced which he believes represents the needs and views of his constituents. The First District is home to Fort Campbell, KY, home to the 101st Airborne Division, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Command, and the 5th Special Forces Group. Whitfield has consistently voted in favor of a strong national defense, including enhanced benefits for all active duty service personnel, retirees and veterans. He has pursued a pro-family agenda such as advocating prayer in schools, preventing child pornography and outlawing flag burning. Through his Committee assignment, Whitfield has worked to protect Medicare and Medicaid and he has helped reform our national energy policy, including protecting domestic uranium enrichment capabilities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
Congressman Whitfield is married to the former Constance Harriman. Whitfield has a daughter, two grandchildren and a Scottish terrier.
