Ed Pastor (SIADD)

Edward Lopez "Ed" Pastor (born June 28, 1943), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2008, representing Arizona's 4th congressional district. The district includes most of downtown and southern Phoenix, along with most of Glendale. In late 2008 though Governor Janet Napolitano appointed Pastor to replace the vacancy left by President John McCain and his ascension to the Presidency.

Early Life
Pastor was born in Claypool, Arizona as the oldest of three children. After high school, he was educated at Arizona State University. He became a chemistry teacher at North High School in Phoenix and later went on to work as deputy director of the community service group Guadalupe Organization Inc. After returning to ASU to earn a law degree, he became an assistant to Arizona Governor Raul Castro. In 1976, Pastor was elected to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and he served three terms in this role as a county executive.

Electoral history
In 1991, Pastor won a special election to succeed 28-year incumbent Democrat Mo Udall in the 2nd District. He was the first Latino to represent Arizona in Congress. At the time, the 2nd was the only Democratic bastion in Arizona. He easily won a full term in 1992. He was reelected four times without substantive Republican opposition, never dropping below 60% of the vote.

After the 2000 United States Census, Arizona gained two congressional districts. Pastor's former territory was renumbered as the 7th District, but his home was drawn into the newly created 4th District. Rather than move to the Phoenix portion of the reconfigured 7th, Pastor opted to run in the 4th. The newly created district is heavily Democratic, like Pastor's old district; Democrats have a nearly 2-to-1 advantage in registration. He easily won in November. He has been reelected twice from this district, easily defeating Phoenix resident Don Karg in the last two cycles.

He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee as well as two subcommittees on Energy and Water Management, and Transportation, Treasury, and Housing in the District of Columbia. He is also one of the nine Chief Deputy Whips for the Democratic Caucus.

Pastor is one of the most liberal members of the House, and was a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Pastor is pro-choice and in 2006 supported the interests of the Planned Parenthood 100 percent, according to their records. In 2006, NARAL Pro-Choice America-Endorsements endorsed Representative Pastor. He does not support the Iraq War.

Committee Assignments, from the House to the Senate

 * Appropriations Committee
 * Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development
 * Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
 * Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
 * Board of Directors of Neighborhood Housing Services of America
 * Honorary Director to Timber Trails Children's Project, Inc
 * (Awaiting Senate appointment to Committee)

Ideological ratings

 * American Conservative Union — 8% for 2005, 4% for 2004, 4% lifetime rating.
 * Americans for Democratic Action — 100% for 2004 and 2005.
 * AFL-CIO — 93% for 2005.
 * National Journal — Composite Liberal Score of 86% for 2005.