John Shadegg for Congress

Strong Arizona Roots

John Shadegg, a native Arizonan, grew up in the shadow of Barry Goldwater, one of our country's and Arizona's most revered statesmen. Shadegg's father, Stephen, was Senator Goldwater's campaign manger and speechwriter. From these two men, Shadegg learned that the most important thing in politics, and in life, is integrity. Throughout his fourteen years representing Arizona's Third Congressional District, Shadegg has remained true to his principles and acted in the best interest of Arizona and the nation, regardless of consequence.

Widely Endorsed and Supported

Recently, The Arizona Republic endorsed Shadegg saying, "for his remarkable consistency - dare we say, for his adherence to principle - The Arizona Republic recommends that District 3 voters return Republican incumbent John Shadegg to Congress."

Congressman Shadegg's strong principles have earned him endorsements and recognition from numerous groups and organizations, including, but not limited to:

Arizona State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
Citizens Against Government Waste -109th Congress score: 98%
Club for Growth - 110th Congress 1st Session Score: 97%, 110th Congress 1st Session Rank: 14
National Federation of Independent Business
National Right to Life - 2005-2006 Rating: 100
National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition
U.S. Chamber of Commerce - 2007 Spirit of Enterprise Award
National Rifle Association
The Council for Affordable Health Insurance
American Conservative Union - 2007 Rating: 100, Lifetime: 98.25
Americans for Prosperity - Arizona Federation of Taxpayers: 2007 Friend of Taxpayer
Americans for Prosperity - Freedom from Foreign Oil Scorecard: Score: 100%
Americans for Tax Reform - 109th Congress, 1st Session: 88%, 109th Congress, 2nd Session: 100%
Arizona Tax Research Association - 2007 Watchdog Award
Gun Owners of America - 110th Congress Grade: A-
National Tax-Limitation Committee: "Tax Fighter Award," 110th Congress Grade: A
National Taxpayers Union - "Taxpayers Friend Award," 110th Congress 1st Session Score: 92%, Grade: A

Conservative Principles

Senator Goldwater said, a government that is large enough to give you everything you want, is also large enough to take it all away. Recognizing that growth of government constricts this nation's fundamental value of individual liberty, Shadegg is a leading advocate in Congress and in the National Conservative Movement for limited government. He has fought to reduce government spending, bring federal tax relief to hardworking Americans, and re-establish state and individual rights.

A Leader on Energy

Shadegg, who was named to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, has been an advocate for American-made energy. He voted to create both the residential and commercial solar tax credits and has voted multiple times for their renewal. His efforts to promote hydroelectricity have spilled over into his fight to save and preserve Lake Powell. Radical environmental groups have called for Lake Powell to be drained, which would have devastating economic and environmental consequences throughout the Southwest. Shadegg helped form the Friends of Lake Powell to fight efforts to drain the lake.

Shadegg is committed to increasing our domestic oil supply, and decreasing our dependence on foreign oil. This would reinvest, in the American economy, the $700 billion we currently spend overseas, and create hundreds of thousands American jobs.

In August 2008, Shadegg and his colleagues, led the Republican Energy Revolt calling for increased domestic drilling on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Making national headlines, they ultimately forced Nancy Pelosi and the Democrat Congress to allow the expiration of moratoria on oil exploration in our Outer Continental Shelf - which is supported by more than 70% of the American public.

That same month, Shadegg led a Congressional delegation trip to ANWR, where he learned the vast majority of Alaskans support responsible development. The Alaskans Shadegg met told how the Alaskan pipeline and development at Prudhoe Bay had dramatically improved their lives and enabled their children to have access to education and opportunities available to other Americans. On that same trip, Shadegg learned radical environmentalist groups have consistently used our nation's courts to block domestic oil production, filing suit against every lease in the OCS in Alaska and the lower 48 states. Shadegg subsequently introduced legislation to give expedited judicial review to these cases so that energy exploration cannot be halted.

A Leader on Health Care

He has introduced several bills to address the problem of the uninsured, lessen the bureaucracy of Medicare, give patients the right to hold HMOs accountable and strengthen the doctor/patient relationship.

Shadegg has fought against the government takeover of health care and in favor of greater choice, ownership, and portability in health insurance. His bills – the Improving Health Care for All Americans Act, the Patients Health Care Reform Act, and the Health Care Choice Act -- offer free-market solutions to rapidly rising healthcare costs. The Health Care Choice Act would allow individuals to purchase their health care plan across state lines. These proposals increase competition within health care, reduce costs, improve quality, and most importantly, put individual Americans in control, enabling them to pick the health care plan that best meets their needs.

Leadership and Experience

John Shadegg remains committed to fight for fiscal responsibility in government, access to quality and affordable health care, and balanced energy and environmental policies. He will also continue his efforts to draft and pass wildfire prevention legislation that will help protect the Arizona's forests and rural communities from the type of fires that have devastated our state all too often.

Shadegg served as Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee

The fifth-ranking position in the House Leadership, from 2005 to 2006. At the time, he was the only member of the Republican Class of 1994 serving in the House Leadership. He resigned that position when he entered the race for Majority Leader.

Shadegg was Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC)

From 2000 to 2002, Shadegg chaired the RSC, the largest conservative organization in the House of Representatives. Under Shadegg's leadership, the organization grew from 40 to more than 70 members, and became the most influential and respected force in the U.S. House shaping conservative policy for the country.

In 2006, Shadegg received national attention when he ran for House Majority Leader following Tom DeLay's resignation. The motto for Shadegg's race was Shadegg = Reform, and he was widely credited with altering the debate and, ultimately, changing the outcome. During the race, Shadegg received the endorsement of newspapers, magazines, and blogs across the country, including the Arizona Republic, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Rocky Mountain News, The Indianapolis Star, The Mobile Register, National Review, Human Events, and Townhall.com.