Biography

   Ben Chandler was first elected in a special election in February 2004 to represent Kentucky's Sixth District in the United States House of Representatives. In January 2007, Chandler was selected by his Democratic colleagues to serve on the coveted House Committee on Appropriations. Chandler also serves on the Science and Technology Committee and serves with eleven other Members of Congress on the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

Prior to his election to Congress, Chandler served two terms as Kentucky's attorney general. In 1995, he became the youngest attorney general in the nation and was reelected in 1999 without opposition to a second term. He previously served a four-year term as Kentucky State Auditor, where he developed a reputation as a strong fighter against government waste and corruption.

As Attorney General, Chandler won passage of Kentucky's "No Call" list, the nation's toughest law aimed at protecting Kentucky seniors and families from telemarketers. When Kentucky's largest insurance company illegally removed charitable funds from the state, Chandler recovered $45 million which now funds an independent foundation to benefit the healthcare of all Kentuckians.   Attorney General Chandler repeatedly took action to protect Kentucky seniors, winning the largest criminal penalty for patient neglect and abuse against a nursing home corporation in American history and recovering millions from drug companies that illegally raised prices. He fought successfully to pass and strengthen Kentucky's "Megan's Law," which protects women and children from sexual offenders.

In Congress, Chandler has taken the lead on many issues of importance to Central Kentucky families. He has fully supported our military and troops and worked to increase funding for Homeland Security. Congressman Chandler is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, the fiscally conservative Democratic caucus and has continually backed responsible federal budget plans that extend middle-class tax cuts while slashing the federal deficit.   Chandler has introduced legislation in Congress to prevent child and elder abuse, improve the safety of air travel, and keep drugs off our streets. 

Chandler played a central role in the effort to pass a tobacco buyout in the House. He has been a constant advocate for the environment and repeatedly called on President Bush in 2006 to rescind his proposal to sell our national forests, including sections of the Daniel Boone National Forest. He has also fought for increased funding for our nation’s crumbling school infrastructure, introducing and passing legislation to fund energy-efficient modernization, renovation and repair of the nation’s K-12 schools.  Congressman Chandler has also cosponsored legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs, secure funding for veterans healthcare and fully fund education reform for our children.

Chandler graduated with distinction from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in History, and holds a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Born in September 1959, Chandler lives in Woodford County, Kentucky with his wife Jennifer and their three children:  Lucie, Albert IV, and Branham. The Chandlers are members of Pisgah Presbyterian Church.