Bill Paxon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Kemp |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Reynolds |
| Constituency | 31st district (1989–1993) 27th district (1993–1999) |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the147th district | |
| In office January 1, 1983 – December 31, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Richard L. Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Reynolds |
| Member of theErie County Legislature from the 17th district | |
| In office 1978–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Norman Wolf |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Mohr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leon William Paxon (1954-04-29)April 29, 1954 (age 71) Akron, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Guy Molinari (father-in-law) |
| Education | Canisius University (BA) |
Leon William Paxon[1] (born April 29, 1954) is an Americanlobbyist and former member of theUnited States House of Representatives from New York. From 1989 to 1999, he served five terms inCongress.
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Paxon was born inAkron, New York, nearBuffalo. At the age of 15, Paxon volunteered for the first congressional campaign of formerBuffalo BillsquarterbackJack Kemp. Kemp, decades later, was theRepublican vice presidential nominee in1996.
Paxon graduated fromSt. Joseph's Collegiate Institute high school in 1972, and then fromCanisius College. He was elected to theErie County Legislature in November 1977 at the age of 23, making him the youngest member ever when elected.[2] In addition, he holds honorary doctorates fromDaemen College,Roberts Wesleyan College and Canisius College.
Paxon was a member of theNew York State Assembly from 1983 to 1988, sitting in the185th,186th and187th New York State Legislatures.
He was elected to the101st,102nd,103rd,104th and105th United States Congresses, holding office from January 3, 1989, to January 3, 1999. Paxon chaired the Republican House Leadership committee during the 105th Congress. In 1992, Paxon was elected to chair theNational Republican Congressional Committee.
In the summer of 1997 several House Republicans, who sawNewt Gingrich's public image as a liability, attempted to replace him asSpeaker. The challenge began July 9 with a meeting between Republican conference chairmanJohn Boehner ofOhio and Republican leadership chairman Paxon. According to their plan,House Majority LeaderDick Armey,House Majority WhipTom DeLay, Boehner and Paxon were to present Gingrich with an ultimatum: resign, or be voted out. However, Armey balked at the proposal to make Paxon the new Speaker, and told his chief of staff to warn Gingrich about the coup.[3][4]
On July 11, Gingrich met with senior Republican leadership to assess the situation. He explained that under no circumstance would he step down. If he was voted out, there would be a new election for Speaker, which would allow for the possibility that Democrats, along with dissenting Republicans, would vote inDick Gephardt as Speaker. On July 16, Paxon offered to resign his post, feeling he had not handled the situation correctly, as the only member of the leadership who had been appointed to his position, by Gingrich, instead of elected.[5] Gingrich accepted Paxon's resignation and directed Paxon to immediately vacate his leadership office space.[6][7][8]
Paxon later considered, then rejected, a challenge to Armey's post as majority leader. He instead decided that he would not run for re-election in 1998.[9]
After leaving Congress, Paxon became an advisor to GOP congressional members.[10][11]
Following his 21-year public service career, Paxon joined the law firm ofAkin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where, since January 1999, he has advised a wide range of public and private sector clients on policy issues. He has consistently been rated one of Washington's toplobbyists.[citation needed]
Paxon was hired byBoeing to lobby members of Congress.[12]
While in Congress, the conservative Paxon worked closely with moderate then Rep.Susan Molinari R-Staten Island, who is now alobbyist. They married on July 3, 1994, and live inAlexandria, Virginia.[13] They have two daughters.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 31st congressional district 1989–1993 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 27th congressional district 1993–1999 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of theNational Republican Congressional Committee 1993–1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of House Republican Leadership 1997 | Vacant Title next held by Rob Portman2001 |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded byas Former U.S. Representative | Order of precedence of the United States as Former U.S. Representative | Succeeded byas Former U.S. Representative |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
