Joe Courtney (politician)
| Joe Courtney | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 2nd district |
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Assumed office January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Rob Simmons |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 6, 1953 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Audrey Courtney |
| Residence | Vernon, Connecticut |
| Alma mater | Tufts University, University of Connecticut |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Joseph "Joe" Courtney (born April 6, 1953) is the U.S. Representative for Connecticut's 2nd congressional district, serving since 2007. The district includes most of the eastern third of the state, including Norwich and New London. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Courtney grew up in suburban Hartford. In 1975 he graduated from Tufts University. He earned a law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1978.
After graduating from law school, Courtney worked as a public defender for three years. He became a partner in the law firm Courtney, Boyan & Foran, and also served as Town Attorney in Vernon, Connecticut, where he lives.
From 1987 to 1994, Courtney served in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 56th district. He was chairman of the Public Health and Human Service Committee and oversaw the Blue Ribbon Commission on Universal Health Insurance. In 1994, he was honored by Connecticut Magazine for his bipartisan efforts in the state house.
In 1998, after four years out of office, Courtney made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor. In 2002, he ran for Congress against incumbent Republican Rob Simmons. Courtney did not announce his candidacy or raise money until September 2001; by that time, Simmons had more than $500,000 in campaign funding. Simmons defeated Courtney in the November election, 54% to 46%.
Courtney challenged Simmons again in 2006, in a race that political strategists projected would be very close. Courtney was declared the winner on Election Day; initial tallies showed him ahead by 167 votes, out of more than 242,000 votes. Under Connecticut law the race qualified for an automatic re-canvass because the winning margin was less than one half percent. The recount, finished on November 14, showed Courtney with 91 votes more than Simmons.
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