Eric Eidsness (politician)

Frederic A. "Eric" Eidsness, Jr. (born December 1, 1944) is an American political figure. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and was later a Reform Party candidate for the 4th Congressional district in Colorado. He lost to Republican Marilyn Musgrave, in the 2006 U.S. House elections.

Biography

A veteran of the United States Navy, Eidsness served in the Vietnam War before coming to work for the federal Water Pollution Control Administration in 1970. In 1975, Eidsness moved to Colorado, where he served with the Larimer-Weld Regional Council of Governments.[1]

Reagan Administration career

In 1981, then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan appointed Eidsness to the post of Assistant Administrator for Water Programs within the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a post he held until 1983. Eidsness later returned to Colorado in 1991 and in 1999 settled in Fort Collins.[1]

2006 Reform Party candidacy
Main article: Colorado 4th congressional district election, 2006

In late 2005, then-Republican Eidsness launched an exploratory committee to examine the prospect of challenging incumbent Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave in Colorado's 4th congressional district in the 2006 Republican Primary.[2] Eidsness instead left the Republican Party and announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress from the 4th District on March 31, 2006, as a member of the Reform Party. Eidsness opposed both Musgrave and Democratic candidate Angie Paccione in the November 2006 General Election.

The campaign raised just under of $27,000.[3] Eidsness garnered multiple newspaper endorsements, including the endorsements of the hometown newspapers of both his major-party opponents.[4] In final returns, he netted over 27,000 votes, or 11.28% of ballots cast.[5]

2007 switch to Democratic Party

In March 2007, Eidsness declared that he was joining the Democratic Party, declaring: "I am a new Democrat who can bring business savvy and fiscal restraint to the Democratic Party's proposals should I run for Congress in 2008 and win."[6] Media and political observers speculated that this party switch was a prelude to a second run for Congress in 2008.

Eidsness announced another run for Congress, this time running for the Democratic nomination. He withdrew from the race in October, 2007.

Political ideology

A self-described "fiscal conservative" and "social moderate,"[7] Eidsness has been critical of the U.S. War in Iraq, and has called for a concrete timetable for troop withdrawal.[8] Breaking ranks with many Republicans, Eidsness has also expressed opposition to the Federal Marriage Amendment proposed by Marilyn Musgrave, and opposes federal regulation of abortion.[9]

As a Republican, Eidsness supported Democratic nominee John Kerry during the 2004 presidential election.[10] Eidsness holds more traditionally conservative positions with regard to stricter enforcement of U.S. immigration policy and control of government spending.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. The Coloradoan - www.coloradoan.com - Ft. Collins, CO
  3. Congressional Races Archived 2008-04-09 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Endorsments [sic]". Eric Eidsness for Congress. Archived from the original on July 22, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  5. http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/electionresults2006G/%5B%5D
  6. The Coloradoan - www.coloradoan.com - Ft. Collins, CO
  7. ColoradoPols.com:: Another Challenger From the Right for Musgrave Archived 2007-03-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-14. Retrieved 2007-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-03-16. Retrieved 2007-03-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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