For the Colombian Olympic weightlifter, see John Salazar (weightlifter).
John Salazar
OfficeAgriculture Commissioner of Colorado
GovernorJohn Hickenlooper
Term startJanuary 6, 2011
Term endDecember 31, 2014
PredecessorJohn Stulp
SuccessorDon Brown
State 1Colorado
Term start 1January 3, 2005
Term end 1January 3, 2011
Predecessor 1Scott McInnis
Successor 1Scott Tipton
State house 2Colorado
District 262nd
Term start 2January 8, 2003
Term end 2January 3, 2005
Predecessor 2Glenn Scott
Successor 2Rafael Lopez Gallegos
Birth nameJohn Tony Salazar
Birth dateJuly 21, 1953 (age 73)
Birth placeAlamosa, Colorado, U.S.
PartyDemocrat
SpouseMary Lou Salazar
RelativesKen Salazar (brother)
EducationAdams State University (BS)
BranchUnited States Army
Service years1973–1976
UnitArmy Criminal Investigation Division

John Tony Salazar (born July 21, 1953) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2005 until 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was appointed Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture in the Cabinet of Governor John Hickenlooper in 2011, following his electoral defeat in 2010. Salazar announced his retirement as Agriculture Commissioner in November 2014.[1][2]

Early life, education and career

Salazar was born in Alamosa, Colorado, the son of Emma M. (Montoya) and Henry (Enrique) S. Salazar.[3][4] His younger brother is former Senator Ken Salazar.

Salazar served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1976, and is a farmer and rancher.[5] His formal education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Adams State College in 1981. Salazar was the owner of an internet company, Spudseed.com, which marketed potatoes, as well as serving as a director of Monte Vista Production Credit Union and Agro Engineering, Inc.[6]

Salazar served on several Colorado public bodies including the Governor's Economic Development Advisory Board, the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Forum.[6] He also served on the Colorado Agricultural Commission from 1999 to 2002 before being elected to the Colorado House of Representatives from 2003 until 2004.[7]

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

Political positions

Salazar was concerned with water rights in particular.[8] He said his top priority on Capitol Hill was to ensure that water derived from the snow melt of Colorado's Western Slope would stay in his district instead of being sent to California or Nevada.

Though a Democrat, he exhibited conservative leanings. He opposed expanding gun control and supported permanent repeal of the inheritance tax and lower taxes.[8] He also supports allowing Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. He was a member of the conservative Blue Dog Democrats,[9] leading him to oppose Democratic priority measures such as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the American Clean Energy and Security Act in 2009.[10][11] During consideration of the Affordable Care Act, he voted in favor of the Stupak Amendment restricting federal funding of elective abortions. However, he also voted for the Senate version of the health care bill lacking the Stupak Amendment language.[12]

As a veteran, a son of a veteran, and father of a child serving in the Colorado National Guard as of 2004, Salazar was also vocal against cuts to veterans' benefits. Salazar introduced the Stolen Valor Act of 2005, designed to protect the integrity of medals, to the House of Representatives, which he has cited as his best achievement in politics.[5]

Salazar was considered for the post of Secretary of Agriculture by Barack Obama but Tom Vilsack was chosen instead.[13][14]

Political campaigns

2004

See also: 2004 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 3

Salazar was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004.[6] His election to succeed retiring Republican Scott McInnis was one of the most contested House elections of the year.[6] Salazar defeated Greg Walcher who had attacked Salazar as being soft on illegal immigration,[6][15] while Salazar criticised Walcher for his previous support of a failed 2003 referendum which he said would have diverted water from the district, an important issue in western Colorado.[15][16] In a year when Republicans made gains, John Salazar was only one of three Democratic pick-up seats in the House of Representatives.[17]

2006

See also: 2006 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 3

John Salazar was re-elected in 2006 after his first term in Congress defeating Republican Scott Tipton.[18] John Salazar raised almost three times as much money as Tipton and won over 60% of the vote, including more Republican areas of the district.[19] Salazar had campaigned as a moderate, middle of the road candidate, with the opinion polls having shown him ahead in the election.[19]

2008

See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 3

Salazar won in 2008 with a similar margin as 2006 defeating rancher and county commissioner Wayne Wolf.[20] Salazar had a massive fundraising advantage over Wolf who only had about $16,000 for the campaign.[20]

2010

See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 3

Salazar was defeated for re-election by Republican Scott Tipton. Tipton had unsuccessfully challenged Salazar in 2006. Libertarian Gregory Gilman and Independent Jake Segrest were also on the ballot; Independents John W. Hargis, Sr. and James Fritz qualified as write-in candidates.

Electoral history

Results 2004–2010[21][22]
YearDemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct3rd PartyPartyVotesPct3rd PartyPartyVotesPct
2004John Salazar153,50050.9%Greg Walcher141,37646.9%Jim KrugIndependent6,7702.2%*
2006John Salazar146,48861.6%Scott Tipton86,93036.5%Bert SargentLibertarian4,4171.9%Bruce LohmillerGreen (Write-in)230.01%
2008John Salazar196,21461.4%Wayne Wolf123,34638.6%
2010John Salazar118,04845.8%Scott Tipton129,25750.1%

Personal life

Salazar is married to Mary Lou Salazar and has three children: Esteban, Miguel and Jesus.[5] They live in Manassa, Colorado.

Salazar's younger brother, Ken Salazar, is a former United States Senator from Colorado and the former Secretary of the Interior appointed by President Barack Obama.

See also

John Salazar is briefly mentioned at the very beginning of the video game Outlast, on the radio of the protagonist's vehicle.

References

  1. ^ colorado.gov Commissioner Salazar Bio-Colorado Department of Agriculture
  2. ^ "Colorado Ag Commissioner John Salazar Retiring". 2014-11-14. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  3. ^ "Ken Salazar, U.S. Senator from Colorado - Tributes". Archived 2016-03-10 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. ^ "Valley Courier Emma Salazar celebrates 90th birthday with community". Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  5. ^ "John Salazar says he'll fight for water, agriculture, vets". Rocky Mountain News. October 8, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  6. ^ "Salazar wins tussle for open Colorado seat". The New York Times. November 3, 2004. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  7. ^ "Our Campaigns - CO State House 62 Race - Nov 05, 2002"
  8. ^ "There's electoral gold in those hills". The Economist. October 26, 2006. Retrieved August 5, 2007.
  9. ^ "Salazar says he's content with committee appointment". Rocky Mountain News. December 11, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  10. ^ "Udall, Salazar support stimulus". Steamboat Pilot & Today. October 22, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  11. ^ "Salazar decision ruffles political feathers". Glenwood Springs Post Independent. July 5, 2009. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  12. ^ Olka. "Updating The Health Care Whip Count - Hotline On Call". Hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
  13. ^ "John Salazar says he may be considered for agriculture secretary". Rocky Mountain News. December 3, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  14. ^ Critic, Television (December 18, 2008). "Obama to name LaHood, Schapiro to top posts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 5, 2009.[dead link]
  15. ^ "Colorado: Tough Race Too Close To Call". Fox News Channel. November 3, 2004. Archived July 26, 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  16. ^ "Water Tempts Thirsty Voters in Colorado's 3rd District". Fox News Channel. October 11, 2004. Archived June 4, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  17. ^ "GOP builds on House majority". CNN. November 4, 2004. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  18. ^ "Democrats make gains in Colorado". USA Today. November 8, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  19. ^ "Salazar having no problems, even in GOP strongholds". Rocky Mountain News. November 8, 2006. Retrieved July 5, 2009. [dead link]
  20. ^ "3RD DISTRICT: John Salazar on way to victory". The Denver Post. November 5, 2008. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  21. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk: U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  22. ^ "House of Representatives Map". The New York Times. Retrieved July 5, 2009.

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