Thomas Latham (born July 14 1948), American politician,
has been a Republican member of the
House of Representatives since 1995,
representing the 4th District of Iowa (map). He was born in Hampton, Iowa, was educated at Iowa State University, and was a business owner before entering the House.
Latham was elected as the congressman for Iowa's 5th District in 1995 as part of the wave that allowed Republicans to take over the House for the first time since 1955. The 5th, based in western Iowa, is far and away the most Republican district in the state. It was so heavily Republican that Latham never faced a serious challenge as the 5th District's congressman. Not surprisingly, Latham's voting record was and still is one of the most conservative in the country.
The 2000 round of redistricting, however, significantly altered Iowa's congressional map. Latham was placed in the new 4th District in the north-central part of the state, retaining only a small portion of his old district. This district is considered much more competititve than Latham's old district, but his membership on the Appropriations Committee has helped him hold onto his new district.
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