New T&I Republicans in the 110th Congress
Congresswoman Candice Miller
Michigan – 10th
Congresswoman Candice Miller was elected in November to her third term representing Michigan’s 10th District, which includes all of Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, and St. Clair Counties and a portion of Macomb County.
Rep. Miller’s public service career began when she was elected to the Harrison Township Board of Trustees in 1979, followed by her election as Harrison Township Supervisor. During her 12 years as Supervisor, Harrison Township underwent explosive growth. She made tremendous strides in her effort to hold the line on taxes and encourage business growth; all while being hailed for doing so in an environmentally sensible manner.
Rep. Miller also served two terms as Michigan’s Secretary of State from 1994-2002, where she made customer service the operative phrase of her administration. As Secretary of State, Rep. Miller became a national leader in election reform, using technology to enhance Michigan’s qualified voter file. She was recognized by the Ford-Carter Commission on National Election Reform as a national model for states developing similar programs.
Rep. Miller and her husband reside in Harrison Township and they have one daughter.
Congresswoman Thelma Drake
Virginia – 2nd
Congresswoman Thelma Drake was re-elected to her second term in November to represent Virginia’s Second Congressional District, which includes the City of Virginia Beach, parts of the cities of Norfolk and Hampton, and Accomack and Northampton Counties on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Prior to being elected to Congress, Rep. Drake served in the Virginia House of Delegates, being first elected in 1995 to represent the 87th District. While there, Rep. Drake was a steadfast advocate for quality education, efficient transportation, and insurance and property reforms. Rep. Drake earned a reputation for working to bring responsive government to Hampton Roads and Virginia. During her stint in the House of Delegates she served as chairman of the Virginia Housing Commission and was a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.
Before beginning her public service career, Rep. Drake spent 20 years in the real estate business in the Hampton Roads area. She lives in Norfolk, has raised two children and loves spending time with her four grandchildren. She is happily married to Ted Drake.
Congresswoman Mary Fallin
Oklahoma – 5th
Congresswoman Mary Fallin was elected in 2006 to represent Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Oklahoma City and most of Oklahoma County, and all of Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties.
Fallin has a long history of public service to the people of Oklahoma, having first been elected to public office in 1990 as a state legislator. During her time as State Representative she was recognized by the American Legislative Exchange Council as Legislator of the Year and named a Small Business Advocate by the National Federation of Independent Business.
In 1995, Rep. Fallin became Oklahoma’s first woman and first Republican Lieutenant Governor. During her 12 years in office, she pursued an aggressive agenda focusing on economic development, education, health care and government reform. She worked to promote economic growth and increase economic opportunities for Oklahomans while fighting the rising cost of health insurance and excessive government regulation.
Rep. Fallin and her two children make their home in Oklahoma City.
Congressman Vern Buchanan
Florida – 13th
Congressman Vern Buchanan was elected in November to represent the 13th
Congressional District of Florida, which includes Sarasota and Sarasota County, DeSoto and Hardee Counties, most of Manatee County and part of Charlotte County.
Rep. Buchanan grew up in a blue collar family, worked his way through college, and served six years in the Air National Guard. He went on to start several successful businesses and has helped put hundreds of other people into business for themselves. Through his hard work, Rep. Buchanan became a respected leader in the business community. Rep. Buchanan has said he owes his business success to a country, state and community that allows ordinary people to succeed. He believes in giving back to his community, and has been an active supporter of the Ringling Museum of Art, the Mote Marine Laboratory, Boys and Girls Clubs, the American Heart Walk and the Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes.
A proud husband and father of two sons, Congressman Buchanan lives in Longboat Key, Florida with his wife of more than 30 years.