| Pete Domenici |
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Pietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici (born May 7 1932 ) is an American politician, currently serving as a Republican Senator from New Mexico . He has served continuously since 1973 , the longest tenure in the state's history. On September 7 2006 , he cast his 13,000th vote, joining only seven other Senators who have done the same. EARLY YEARS Domenici was born in from St. Mary's High School in Albuquerque. After earning a degree in education at the University Of New Mexico in 1954, he pitched for one season for the Albuquerque Dukes , a Farm Club for the Brooklyn Dodgers . He taught Mathematics at Garfield Junior High in Albuquerque. He earned his Law degree at the University Of Denver in 1958 and returned to practice law in Albuquerque. After graduating, he married Nancy Burk. Together they have two sons and six daughters (Lisa, Peter, Nella, Clare, David, Nanette, and twins Paula and Helen). In 1966, Domenici successfully ran for a position on the Albuquerque City Commission and in 1968 was elected Commission Chairman. This position was equivalent to that of "mayor" under the structure of the city government at the time. Domenici made an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1970. He received 134,640 votes to Democrat Bruce King 's 148,835 ballots. Two years later Domenici successfully ran for a position in the U.S. Senate and became the first New Mexico Republican to be elected to the position in 38 years. Domenici polled 204,253 votes (54 percent) to 173,815 (46 percent) for the Democrat Jack Daniels. He was re-elected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, and 2002 and is the longest-serving senator in his state's history. He is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee On Energy And Natural Resources and the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee On Energy And Water Development . He is also a member of the U.S. Senate Committee On Indian Affairs , U.S. Senate Committee On Appropriations , U.S. Senate Committee On Budget . Domenici is a advocate for the mentally ill. Domenici is an avid proponent of Nuclear Power and has published two books on the subject: ''"A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy"'' (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2004), which he wrote; and ''"Advanced Nuclear Technologies — Hearing Before the Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate"'' (Collingdale, Pennsylvania: D I A N E Publishing Company, 1999), which he edited. Domenici is the fifth-most senior sitting Senator and second-most senior sitting Republican. A August 21,2007 approval rating has his approval rating at 52%, with 41% disapproving. {Link without Title} DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CONTROVERSY See Also: Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy Prior to the 2006 Midterm Election Domenici called and pressured then- United States Attorney For The District Of New Mexico David Iglesias to speed up indictments in a federal corruption investigation that involved at least one former Democratic state senator. When Iglesias said an indictment wouldn't be handed down until at least December, Domenici said "I'm very sorry to hear that" — and the line went dead. Iglesias was fired a little over one month later by the Bush Administration. A communication by a senator or House member with a federal prosecutor regarding an ongoing criminal investigation is a violation of ethics rules. In a March 2007 statement, Domenici admitted making such a call.2 House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers , D-Mich., issued subpoenas to require Iglesias and three other ousted U.S. attorneys to testify before Congress.3 Domenici later admitted calling Iglesias, though Domenici claimed he never used the word "November" when he called Iglesias about an ongoing Albuquerque courthouse corruption case.4 Domenici has denied trying to influence Iglesias, and has hired lawyer K. Lee Blalack II to represent him.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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