John Linder

John Linder is a former dentist and businessman, who was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 7th Congressional District. Linder served in the U.S. House of Representative from 1992 to 2010 before retiring his seat to Republican Rob Woodall.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/georgia/7 During his tenure in the House, Linder won nine elections from three different Georgia districts.http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103

In 2006, Linder went under scrutiny for failing to report a trip financed by a lobbyist on official travel disclosure documents.http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-31-lawmakers-trips_x.htm However, he did file the trip on his personal income tax forms.http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-31-lawmakers-trips_x.htm The trip was financed by Puerto Rico Inc., a client of former Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-31-lawmakers-trips_x.htm Linder denied any involvement with Jack Abramoff following the lobbyist's 2006 conviction for fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/03/AR2006010300474.html

John Linder was born in Deer River, Minnesota in 1942. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelors of science degree in 1964 and a doctorate in dentistry in 1967.http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103 He served as captain in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1969 before establishing a career as a dentist and businessman.http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103 In 1977, Linder founded the Linder Financial Corporation in Duluth, Georgia.http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103

John Linder took public office in 1975. He won a seat in the Georgia State House of Representatives, where he served for 12 non-consecutive years. Linder was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103 He sat on several committees, including the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support and the House Rules Committee.http://linder.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutJohn.Biography Linder retired from the House of Representatives in 2010. He resides in Duluth, Georgia with his wife, Lynne. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=H0961103

While serving on the U.S. House Rules Committee, Linder introduced the Fair Tax Act into legislation. The tax reform bill would allow American taxpayers to shield their information from bureaucrats and keep 100 percent of their paychecks.http://linder.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutJohn.Biography In the bill, Linder proposed that federal income tax be replaced by state level sales tax in order to even the playing field for taxpayers.http://linder.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutJohn.Biography

John Linder voted with the majority of Republicans against President Barack Obama's health care reform bill and stimulus package.http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=26825 He also voted against the proposed energy reform bill and the Dream Act.http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=26825 Linder was a senior member of the House Rules Committee, which made him responsible for reviewing legislation that reached the House floor.http://linder.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=AboutJohn.Biography