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Denny Rehberg

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Denny Rehberg
Rehberg in 2008
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large district
In office
January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2013
Preceded byRick Hill
Succeeded bySteve Daines
30th Lieutenant Governor of Montana
In office
January 20, 1991 – January 6, 1997
GovernorStan Stephens
Marc Racicot
Preceded byAllen Kolstad
Succeeded byJudy Martz
Personal details
Born
Dennis Ray Rehberg

(1955-10-05) October 5, 1955 (age 69)
Billings, Montana, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Jan Rehberg
​
(m. 1988)​
Children3
EducationMontana State University
Washington State University (BA)

Dennis Ray Rehberg[1] (born October 5, 1955) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party. He served as the lieutenant governor of Montana from 1991 to 1997 and as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large congressional district from 2001 to 2013. Rehberg was the Republican nominee for the United States Senate in 1996 and 2012, losing to Democratic incumbents Max Baucus 49% to 44% and Jon Tester 48% to 44%, respectively.[2] He subsequently became a co-chairman at Mercury, a Washington D.C. lobbying firm.[3]

Early life, education, and ranching career

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Rehberg was born in Billings, Montana, the son of Patricia Rae (née Cooley) and Jack Dennis Rehberg. His ancestry includes German, Irish, and Scottish.[4] He attended Billings West High School and Montana State University before transferring to Washington State University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in public administration.[5]

From 1996 to 2001, Rehberg managed the Rehberg Ranch near Billings. He oversaw a herd of 500 cattle and 600 cashmere goats.[6] After being elected to Congress, Rehberg gave up ranching, citing the difficulty of managing a herd whilst travelling between Montana and Washington D.C.[7][8]

Early political career

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Staffer

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In 1977 he began working as an intern in the Montana State Senate, and two years later he joined the Washington, D.C. staff of Montana U.S. Congressman Ron Marlenee as a legislative assistant. In 1982, Rehberg returned to farming, until running for the State House in 1984.

Montana legislature

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Rehberg was elected then to the Montana State House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991, where he served three terms. In the legislature, he considered himself to be a fiscal conservative, and he advocated balancing the state budget without any tax increases. He was the only freshman member to serve on the House Appropriations Committee.

Lieutenant governor

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In July 1991, Rehberg was appointed lieutenant governor by Governor Stan Stephens. He was subsequently elected to a full term in 1992.

As lieutenant governor, Rehberg sought to bring government back to the local level by traveling to all 56 counties every year. He chaired the Drought Advisory Committee and the Task Force credited with reforming Worker's Compensation, the Montana Rural Development Council, and several health care initiatives. Rehberg stepped down from his post to run for U.S. Senate.[9] He was succeeded as lieutenant governor by fellow Republican Judy Martz.

1996 U.S. Senate election

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Main article: 1996 United States Senate election in Montana

He ran for a seat in the United States Senate against incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Max Baucus, but lost, 50%–45%.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2000
Main article: 2000 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Rick Hill of Montana's At-large congressional district decided to retire after two terms in 2000. Rehberg decided to run and won the Republican primary with 74% of the vote.[11] In the general election, he defeated Democratic State School Superintendent Nancy Keenan 52%–46%.[12]

2002
Main article: 2002 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

He won re-election to a second term with 65%, against Steven Dickman Kelly.[13]

2004
Main article: 2004 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

He won re-election against Tracy Velazquez to a third term with 64%.[14]

2006
Main article: 2006 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

He won re-election to a fourth term against Democratic state representative Monica Lindeen 59%–39%.[15]

2008
Main article: 2008 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

He won re-election to a fifth term against Democratic state representative John Driscoll 64%–32%.[16]

2010
Main article: 2010 United States House of Representatives election in Montana

He won re-election to a sixth term against Democrat Dennis McDonald 60%–33%.[17]

Tenure

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National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act (H.R. 1505)

In 2012 Rehberg co-sponsored H.R. 1505,[18] which would waive environmental laws that would otherwise prevent the Department of Homeland Security from constructing roads, fences, and forward operating bases in national parks and wilderness areas within 100 miles of the international border. Homeland Security would not have to inform affected parties before pursuing these activities.[19] The bill's dissenters claim that it "employs a manufactured conflict with border security to weaken [environmental laws]." The Department of Homeland Security called the bill "unnecessary and bad policy" since DHS already has a memorandum of understanding allowing them to enter these lands without prior approval.[20]

Economic record

On April 15, 2011, Rehberg was one of four Republican members of Congress to vote against The Path to Prosperity.[21]

Pell grants and school lunches

After having scrutinized the Pell Grant program as one that was 'expanding' too quickly, congressman Rehberg set his sights on the free school lunch program as a program where there was potential of taxpayers being ripped off, although the state Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau expressed the real concern that not enough families that qualify request the assistance.[22]

Iraq War

Rehberg voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.[23][24]

Rehberg served on the Military Quality of Life and Foreign Operations Subcommittees of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations. In 2007, he voted against the Mandatory Troop Rest Periods between Deployments to Iraq bill (creates a mandatory rest period between deployments to Iraq for members of the Armed Forces, passed) and against the Redeployment from Iraq Act (reduces the presence of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq by April 1, 2008, passed).[25]

Environmental record

Rehberg describes himself as "a lifelong steward of the land". He voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 and against the Securing America's Future Energy (SAFE) Act of 2001.[26] He is currently one of the foremost critics on keeping the gray wolf on the endangered species list.[27] On environmental issues, Rehberg has also been given low ratings by interest groups. Environment America gave him an 8% rating in 2008, and 27% rating in 2009. Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund gave him a 13% rating. In his position statement on Economic Development, he said "Our [Montana's] coal and natural gas reserves stretch for hundreds of years into the future, and we can turn them into much needed energy." Dennis Rehberg states opposition to the Shays-Meehan bill from 1998, of which he says it "stripped freedom of speech rights from Montana citizens." Aside from the bill, he makes a point to say he supports full and open disclosure laws for campaign finance reform.

LGBT issues

Rehberg opposes same-sex marriage, and supports a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.[28] He voted against the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, a bill that amends the Federal definition of a hate crime to include gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill passed, 237 to 180.[29] In the December 26, 1994, issue of Newsweek, p. 83, then lieutenant governor Rehberg was quoted as saying, "The problem with AIDS is: you got it, you die. So why are we spending money on the issue?" when discussing cuts to the state's hospital budget.[30]

Committee assignments

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112th Congress (2011–2012)
111th Congress (2009–2010)
110th Congress (2007–2008)
  • House Committee on Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on House Committee on House Committee on Financial Services and General Government
    • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
109th Congress (2005–2006)
  • House Committee on Appropriations
    • Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies -
    • Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Export Financing and Related Programs
    • Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

Caucus memberships

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2012 U.S. Senate election

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See also: 2012 United States Senate election in Montana

On February 6, 2011, Rehberg announced that he would challenge Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in 2012.[32] The outcome of the race was expected to have a significant impact on which party controlled the United States Senate during the 113th Congress.[33]

According to Salon, it was a "race that pundits are saying could be a tough challenge for Tester."[34] Political scientist Larry Sabato predicted a narrow Rehberg victory, pointing out that Rehberg had led in 10 of 13 recent polls.[35] However, Tester eventually defeated Rehberg, 48.7%–44.8%.[36]

2014 U.S. House election

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When after one term in the U.S. House Steve Daines ran for the U.S. Senate, Rehberg considered running for his old House seat, but ultimately declined.[37] The seat was ultimately won by Republican Ryan Zinke.

2024 U.S. House election

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Rehberg ran in 2024 in the primary for Montana's 2nd Congressional District, which was held by Representative Matt Rosendale. Rehberg was criticized by foreign policy experts and human rights activists over the fact that he previously lobbied as a registered foreign agent at the firm Mercury Public Affairs for Hikvision, a Chinese state-owned video surveillance company that was sanctioned by the U.S. government for aiding China's government in the detainment and surveillance of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China [38][39][40]

Rehberg lobbied for Hikvision against U.S. sanctions while working at Mercury, though claimed to the Washington Examiner in May 2024 that he "has no knowledge or idea of what happened” in China with Hikvision, seeking to distance himself from the company's activities.[38] Rushan Abbas, a Uyghur American activist and advocate from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China, said it's “extremely disappointing” Rehberg prioritized “profit from China’s blood money over human rights and human dignity."[41][42]

“Unless he denounces or publicly apologizes for what he did, he should not be elected to represent the American people,” Rushan Abbas told the Washington Examiner.[38][43]

Personal life

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Rehberg married his high school sweetheart, Jan, a water attorney who represents farmers and ranchers. They have been married for over 25 years and have three children, A.J., Katie, and Elsie. He is an Episcopalian.[44]

Wealth

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With a net worth of between $6.5 and $54 million, Rehberg was the fourteenth-richest U.S. Representative in the House in 2008.[45] In an April 2011 town hall meeting video released by the Montana Democratic Party, he told an audience member that he was "land-rich and cash-poor" and "struggling like everyone else."[46]

Boating crash

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On the night of Thursday, August 27, 2009, while in the area for a series of town hall forums on healthcare, Rehberg was a passenger in a boating accident near Bigfork, Montana on Flathead Lake. Montana State Senate Majority Whip Greg Barkus was driving the boat.[34][47]

Rehberg, Barkus and his wife Kathy, and two Rehberg aides, Dustin Frost and Kristin Smith, were hospitalized in Kalispell following the accident, which took place sometime between 10pm and midnight. Frost, Rehberg's then 27-year-old state director in Montana, suffered a brain injury. Frost was in a coma for more than a week.[47] Rehberg sustained a broken ankle and rib fractures.[48]

Law enforcement agents investigated the cause of the accident, including "how fast the boat was going, who was driving, and 'whether alcohol and drugs were involved.'" [47] Barkus "was found to have a blood alcohol content of .16 two hours after the accident. Despite the fact that, according to a witness quoted in the criminal complaint, Barkus had been drinking scotch and wine at a lakeside restaurant that night, Rehberg later said he 'was surprised to learn the results of Greg's blood alcohol test'."[34] Rehberg released his BAC, measured several hours after the crash, at an alleged 0.05 percent.[49]

Barkus, who had other driving violations and previously had plea bargained a DUI case down, ultimately pleaded no contest to a felony criminal endangerment charge. He was given a four-year deferred sentence, probation, paid $4,000 in restitution and a $25,000 fine.[50]

Lawsuit against the City of Billings

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In July 2010, Rehberg's corporation that has developed a subdivision on his former ranch land sued the City of Billings for calling back firefighters from protecting trees and some scrub brush. The City of Billings had recently annexed a significant amount of undeveloped grass-land, including Rehberg's ranch, and had not developed a firefighting policy for wildfires, which are significantly different from structure fires. When the fire flared again, the city firefighters had to return to put out the fire after significant damage was done.[51] While the suit was filed in July, Rehberg and his wife did not push forward with litigation, given the political pressures of the 2010 Congressional campaign.[52]

The city of Billings spent nearly $21,000 defending itself against the lawsuit before it was dropped by Rehberg.[53]

Memberships

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  • Member, Billings Chamber of Commerce
  • Member, Billings Downtown Rotary Club
  • Former Chair, Montana Rural Development Council
  • Member, Montana Stockgrowers Association
  • State Chair, Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • National Guard and Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization.

Electoral history

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Montana's at-large congressional district: Results 2000–2010[54]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democratic Votes Pct Libertarian Votes Pct
2000 Denny Rehberg 211,418 51.5% Nancy Keenan 180,971 44.1% James J. Tikalsky 9,132 2.2%
2002 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 214,100 64.6% Steve Kelly 108,233 32.7% Mike Fellows 8,988 2.7%
2004 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 286,076 64.4% Tracy Velazquez 145,606 32.8% Mike Fellows 12,458 2.8%
2006 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 239,124 58.9% Monica Lindeen 158,916 39.1% Mike Fellows 8,085 2%
2008 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 307,132 64.2% John Driscoll 154,713 32.4% Mike Fellows 16,282 3.4%
2010 Denny Rehberg (inc.) 217,696 60.4% Dennis McDonald 121,954 33.8% Mike Fellows 20,691 7.9%

References

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  1. ^ Dennis Rehberg Bio Archived 2012-08-20 at the Wayback Machine Washington Times.
  2. ^ Lipton, Eric (December 23, 2011). "Mining Companies Back Friend's Bid for Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  3. ^ Mali, Meghashyam (March 18, 2013). "Former Rep. Rehberg joins K Street firm". thehill.com. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  4. ^ "Dennis R. "Denny" Rehberg: b. October 5, 1955 Billings, Yellowstone Co., MT". rootsweb.ancestry.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  5. ^ "Washington Times 2012 Election Coverage". Washington Times. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  6. ^ "Congressman Denny Rehberg : Biography". Rehberg.house.gov. August 17, 2010. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  7. ^ "This time, Rehberg faces busy primary". Billings Gazette. April 25, 2010. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  8. ^ "In Montana Senate Race, the Wolves Come Out for Obama". November 4, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  9. ^ Janofsky, Michael (February 26, 2000). "Democrats Look to Montana for Break in Republican Sea". archive.nytimes.com.
  10. ^ "MT US Senate Race – November 05, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  11. ^ "MT US Senate- R Primary Race – June 4, 1996". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  12. ^ "MT At-Large Race – November 7, 2000". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  13. ^ "MT At-Large Race – November 5, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "MT At-Large Race – November 2, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
  15. ^ "MT – At-Large Race – November 7, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  16. ^ "MT – At-Large Race – November 4, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  17. ^ "MT – At-Large Race – November 2, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  18. ^ "H.R. 1505" (PDF). Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  19. ^ Department of Natural Resources Web Page. "Securing Our Borders". Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  20. ^ "Exchange Between Senator Tester and Secretary Janet Napolitano on DHS Authority on Public Lands". YouTube. March 8, 2012. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  21. ^ house.gov (April 15, 2011). "Final vote results for roll call 277". Clerk of the House of Representatives. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  22. ^ "Montana GOPer Fears School Lunch Fraud Is Eating Taxpayer Money". TPM. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  23. ^ Roll call vote, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
  24. ^ "2011 National Key Votes – Project Vote Smart". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved December 25, 2011. [permanent dead link‍]
  25. ^ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg – Voting Record". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved August 23, 2010. [permanent dead link‍]
  26. ^ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg – Voting Record". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved August 23, 2010. [permanent dead link‍]
  27. ^ "Listening is first step in crafting wolf legislation". September 13, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  28. ^ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Dennis 'Denny' Rehberg – Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)". Project Vote Smart. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  29. ^ "Project Vote Smart – Representative Rehberg on HR 1592 – Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved August 23, 2010. [permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ King, Nicholas Return of the White Plague, Sec. 2, Immigration, Race and Geographies of Difference in the Tuberculosis Pandemic [permanent dead link‍], McGill University, 2003, Accessed May 3, 2013.
  31. ^ "U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus Members". House of Representatives. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  32. ^ Official website "Web Server's Default Page". Archived from the original on December 2, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  33. ^ "Montana race could tip balance of power in U.S. Senate". USA Today. April 4, 2012. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  34. ^ a b c Elliott, Justin (February 2, 2011). "Senate hopeful was involved in drunken boat crash". Salon. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  35. ^ "Election Tilts Toward Obama, Senate Democrats". Sabato's Crystal Ball. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  36. ^ "Montana". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  37. ^ "Rehberg considers run for former U.S. House seat". The Missoulian. January 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  38. ^ a b c Kaminsky, Gabe (May 24, 2024). "This GOP candidate says China is 'our enemy' — he represented a CCP-owned company - Washington Examiner". Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  39. ^ "US adds Hikvision subsidiaries from Xinjiang to its trade blacklist". South China Morning Post. March 29, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  40. ^ ipvideomarket (June 14, 2022). "Hikvision Cameras Used to Catch Uyghurs Featured in Xinjiang Police Files". IPVM. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  41. ^ "For some Uyghur Americans, worries over detained family members loom over Biden-Xi summit". NBC News. November 19, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  42. ^ "'They took my sister': Uyghur activist says her work led to sibling's detention in China". The Irish Times. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  43. ^ Hanson, Libbey (September 21, 2023). "Rushan Abbas Speaks About Uyghur Genocide Hinckley Institute". Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  44. ^ Whiteside, Mary Ann Chick (December 16, 2006). "Religion in the House by state and by faith". M Live. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  45. ^ "Denny Rehberg (R-Mont)". OpenSecrets. 2008. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  46. ^ Terkel, Amanda (May 24, 2011). "Minimum Wage Emerging As Key Issue In Montana Senate Race Between Jon Tester, Denny Rehberg". TheHuffingtonPost.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  47. ^ a b c Ann, Mary. "The Sleuth – Rep. Rehberg Hospitalized, Boat Crash Under Investigation". Voices.washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  48. ^ "Campers recount Montana boat crash, rescue". San Diego Union Tribune. September 14, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  49. ^ Scott, Tristan (September 24, 2009). "Rehberg irresponsible for crash role, challenger says". Billings Gazette. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
  50. ^ Scott, Tristan "Judge rejects plea deal in Greg Barkus boat crash case", Ravalli Republic, January 20, 2011. Accessed July 28, 2012.
  51. ^ "Rehberg Ranch Estates sues city of Billings". Billings Gazette. July 4, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  52. ^ "Rehberg lawsuit against city firefighters sits idle". Billings Gazette. October 27, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  53. ^ "City of Billings spent $21K defending against Rehberg lawsuit". The Missoulian. March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  54. ^ "Election Statistics, 1920 to Present". Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Montana
1991–1997 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana's at-large congressional district
2001–2013 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Montana
(Class 2)
1996 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Montana
(Class 1)
2012 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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