John E. Peterson (R)

Current Job:

Grocery Store Owner

Birth Date:

December 25, 1938

Religion:

Methodist

Education:

Pennsylvania State University, Attended

Biography:

John E. Peterson was born in Titusville, Pa., and served as a specialist in the Army before completing a public affairs training program at Penn State.

In 1958, he opened a retail food market in Pleasantville, Pa., a business he sold upon his election to the state Senate. His government experience included service as an aide to former U.S. Rep. Albert Johnson and as president of the Pleasantville Borough Council for six years.

He began his legislative career in 1977 and served as chairman of the state Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1996.

Peterson is married to Saundra June Watson and has one grown child.

Profile:

In 1996, John Peterson defeated three Republicans, including the son of U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, for the GOP nomination for the 5th District seat vacated by retiring Rep. William Clinger, also a Republican. Believing the federal government to be too expansive, Peterson promised to push more services to the state and local levels.

A 20-year veteran of the state Legislature, he favored congressional term limits of 12 years, as well as tax cuts, a balanced budget amendment and changes in campaign finance laws. He said he would bring to Washington a strong understanding of rural health care concerns, having served on the committee with jurisdiction over health care.

He is co-chair of the Congressional Rural Caucus, and has advocated for more funding to tackle the nation's methamphetamine epidemic. He has also fought for the release of more funding to clean-up Pennsylvania's abandoned mines.

Concerned about high natural gas prices, Peterson has taken on much of Florida's congressional delegation in his fight to bring natural gas drilling outside the Florida coastline.

Peterson serves on the House Appropriations Committee and has been active in securing more money for rural health care facilities and for vocational education. He also serves on the House Resources Committee.

In January 2008, Peterson announced he was retiring at the end of his term to spend more time with his family.

The American Conservative Union gave Peterson's 2006 voting record a score of 88 points out of a possible 100. The liberal Americans for Democratic Action in 2007 gave him 20 points.

Campaigns:

John E. Peterson, a six term member, was elected to the U.S. House in 1996, receiving 60 percent of the vote against Democrat Ruth Rudy. He has consistently won re-election with high margins. In 2006, he beat Donald Hilliard with 60 percent of the vote.Peterson was first elected to the state House in a 1977 special election and served until 1982. He was first elected to the state Senate in 1984 and finished his third term in 1996.