Max Sandlin

Max A. Sandlin, Jr. (born September 29, 1952), American politician, was a Democratic Congressman representing Texas District 1 in the United States House of Representatives from 1997 to 2005. Sandlin was a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally moderate Democrats in Congress.

Related Topics:
September 29 - 1952 - American - Democratic - Congressman - Texas District 1 - United States House of Representatives - 1997 - 2005 - Blue Dog Coalition

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Born in Texarkana, Arkansas, Sandlin earned Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from Baylor University, where he was selected Outstanding Young Alumni. His political career began when he was elected county judge (chief executive) of Harrison County in 1986. In only one term, he alanced the county budget and left office with a budget surplus. He also cut ad valorem taxes. In 1989 was subsequently elected Judge of the County Court at Law in the county seat of Marshall, serving there until his election to Congress in 1996.

Related Topics:
Texarkana, Arkansas - Bachelor of Arts - Juris Doctor - Baylor University - Harrison County - 1986 - Budget - Surplus - Ad valorem tax - 1989 - Marshall - 1996

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Sandlin served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, House Financial Services, Ways and Means committees. In 2002, Sandlin became a chief deputy whip for the House Democrats.

Related Topics:
House Transportation and Infrastructure - House Financial Services - Ways and Means - 2002

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Sandlin was a severe critic of the 2003 redistricting orchestrated by then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. His district was largely rural and had been throughout its history, but the 2003 redistricting cut out Texarkana and several rural areas that had been part of the district for more than a century. In their place, it added the heavily Republican cities of Tyler and Longview. Sandlin claimed that such a remap snuffed out the voices of rural Texans. After considering a run against Democrat-turned-Republican Ralph Hall in neighboring District 4, which had absorbed much of his former territory, he decided to run again in District 1 in January 2004. He was heavily defeated by RepublicanLouie Gohmert in the November election.

Related Topics:
2003 - House Majority Leader - Tom DeLay - Republican - Tyler - Longview - Ralph Hall - District 4 - 2004 - Louie Gohmert

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Sandlin still hopes that the Texas State Supreme Court will declare the 2003 redistricting unconstitutional, which would cause a special election to take place in either the old districts drawn by a court in 2000 and used in the 2002 elections, or in a new set of districts. Sandlin has also said he may run again in 2006.

Related Topics:
2000 - 2002 - 2006

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