|
Marilyn N. Musgrave (born January 27, 1949), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 2003, representing the 4th District of Colorado. She was born in Greeley, Colorado, was educated at Colorado State University, and was a businesswoman, teacher and a member of the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate before entering the House.
She is currently the main sponsor of the Federal Marriage Amendment.
As a Colorado State Representative and Senator, Musgrave spent much of her time authoring bills to deny marriage rights to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Coloradans and their families. One of her final, failed bills would have made it much more difficult for same-sex parents to see their children in the hospital during an emergency. Musgrave also cast the only vote against legislation to give battered spouses paid leave from work.
In 2002, due to the strong Republican lean of the district and her large campaign warchest, she defeated Democrat Stan Matsunaka by double digits. In 2004, in spite of Musgrave outspending Matsunaka by millions of dollars, observers were surprised at the closeness of the race, with no final decision made until the last returns arrived. Reasons given for the tight race included her singular focus on anti-gay legislation (her district received no money for road repair due to her fights with chairman Don Young) and her allegedly poor constituent services.
Musgrave also became the unwitting "star" of somewhat notorious attack ads during the 2004 election season. The ads, funded by Colorado philanthropists such as Tim Gill, featured an actress dressed up like Musgrave picking a corpse's pocket, and stealing from a soldier.
Election History
Congressional Committees
External links
|
