Jim DeMint#U.S. House of Representatives

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Jim DeMint

|image = Jim DeMint.jpg

|caption = DeMint in 2005

|office = President of the Heritage Foundation

|term_start = April 4, 2013

|term_end = May 2, 2017

|predecessor = Edwin Feulner

|successor = Edwin Feulner

|office1 = United States Senator
from South Carolina

|term_start1 = January 3, 2005

|term_end1 = January 2, 2013

|predecessor1 = Fritz Hollings

|successor1 = Tim Scott

|state2 = South Carolina

|district2 = {{ushr|South Carolina|4|4th}}

|term_start2 = January 3, 1999

|term_end2 = January 3, 2005

|predecessor2 = Bob Inglis

|successor2 = Bob Inglis

|birth_name = James Warren DeMint

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|9|2}}

|birth_place = Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Republican

|spouse = {{marriage|Debbie Henderson|1973}}

|children = 4

|education = University of Tennessee (BA)
Clemson University (MBA)

|module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Sen. Jim DeMint on Political Ideas in his Farewell Speech.ogg|title=Jim DeMint's voice|type=speech|description=DeMint speaks on the importance of ideas in his farewell speech
Recorded December 20, 2012}}

}}

James Warren DeMint (born September 2, 1951) is an American businessman, author, and retired politician who served as a United States Senator from South Carolina and as president of The Heritage Foundation. A leading figure in the Tea Party movement, DeMint is a member of the Republican Party and is the founder of the Senate Conservatives Fund.

DeMint served as the United States representative for {{ushr|SC|4}} from 1999 to 2005. He was elected to the U.S. Senate from South Carolina in 2004 and reelected in 2010. DeMint served in the Senate until January 2, 2013, when he stepped down to become president of The Heritage Foundation. On May 2, 2017, DeMint resigned his position at Heritage at the request of its board. He later became a senior advisor to Citizens for Self-Governance and the founding chairman of the Conservative Partnership Institute.

Early life and education

DeMint was born in Greenville, South Carolina, one of four children. His parents, Betty W. (née Rawlings) and Thomas Eugene DeMint,[http://www.themediabriefing.com/people/jim-demint Jim DeMint | TheMediaBriefing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320122451/http://www.themediabriefing.com/people/jim-demint |date=March 20, 2012 }} divorced when he was five years old. Following the divorce, Betty DeMint operated a dance studio out of the family's home.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/|title=HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News|website=www.huffpost.com}}{{verify source|date=October 2019}}{{cite news | url=http://specialreport.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/09/12-in-2010-senator-jim-demint/ | work=Fox News | title=12 in 2012: Senator Jim DeMint " The Special Report Blog | date=November 9, 2010 | access-date=December 29, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316221139/http://specialreport.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/11/09/12-in-2010-senator-jim-demint/ | archive-date=March 16, 2011 | url-status=dead }}

DeMint attended Christ Church Episcopal School and Wade Hampton High School.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} He played drums for a cover band called Salt & Pepper.{{cite web |first=John J. |last=Miller |author-link=John J. Miller (journalist) |date=February 22, 2010 |title=Senator Tea Party |url=http://www.heymiller.com/?p=1141 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20100807010646/http://www.heymiller.com/2010/02/senator%2Dtea%2Dparty/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2010 |work=National Review |via=heymiller.com |access-date=October 24, 2013 }} He received a bachelor's degree in 1973 from the University of Tennessee, where he was a part of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and received an MBA in 1981 from Clemson University.

Early career

DeMint joined his father-in-law's advertising firm in Greenville in 1981, working in the field of market research.{{cite news | title=10 things you didn't know about Jim DeMint| first=Jessica | last=Rettig | url= https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/06/22/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-jim-demint | work=U.S. News & World Report| date=June 22, 2010 | access-date= December 20, 2013}}{{cite news | title=Sen. Jim DeMint (R) | url= http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/jim-demint-sc/ | work=NationalJournal| access-date= April 3, 2013}} (membership required) In 1983, he founded The DeMint Group, a research firm with businesses, schools, colleges, and hospitals as clients.

U.S. House of Representatives

=Elections=

DeMint's first involvement in politics began in 1992, when he was hired by Republican Representative Bob Inglis to work on his campaign for South Carolina's Fourth Congressional District. Inglis defeated three-term incumbent Democrat Liz J. Patterson, and DeMint performed message-testing and marketing for Inglis through two more successful elections.{{cite news | title=How Jim DeMint Changed the Senate| first=Dave | last=Weigel | url= http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/12/jim_demint_to_heritage_foundation_the_conservative_south_carolina_senator.single.html | work=Slate| date=December 6, 2012 | access-date= April 3, 2013}}

In 1998, Inglis ran for the U.S. Senate instead of seeking re-election to the House of Representatives. DeMint left his firm to run for Inglis' House seat. The district was considered the most Republican in the state, and it was understood that whoever won the primary would be heavily favored to be the district's next congressman.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} DeMint finished second in the Republican primary behind State Senator and fellow Greenville resident Michael Fair.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=83888|title=Our Campaigns - SC District 4 - R Primary Race - Jun 09, 1998|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} In the runoff, DeMint narrowly defeated Fair by 2,030 votes.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=83889|title=Our Campaigns - SC District 4 - R Runoff Race - Jun 23, 1998|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} He then defeated Democratic State Senator Glenn Reese with 57 percent of the vote to Reese's 40 percent.{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=30887|title=Our Campaigns - SC District 4 Race - Nov 03, 1998|website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} DeMint faced no major-party opposition in 2000, and defeated an underfunded Democrat in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

=Tenure=

DeMint was elected president of the freshman class of House Republicans.{{cite news | title=How Jim DeMint Changed the Senate

| first=Dave | last=Weigel | url= http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/12/jim_demint_to_heritage_foundation_the_conservative_south_carolina_senator.single.html | work=Slate| date=December 6, 2012 | access-date=April 3, 2013}}{{cite news | title=Sen. Jim DeMint (R) |url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/jim-demint-sc/ | work=National Journal|access-date= April 3, 2013}} DeMint pledged to serve only three terms in the House.

The Washington Post and The Christian Post have described DeMint as a "staunch conservative", based on his actions during his time in the House.{{cite news |title=Sen. Jim DeMint, Tea Party Leader Leaving to Run Conservative Think Tank |first= Paul |last= Stanley |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/sen-jim-demint-tea-party-leader-leaving-to-run-conservative-think-tank-86197/#ovSw781etArmQ3xZ.99 |work=The Christian Post |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Jim DeMint leaving the Senate |first= Rachel |last= Weiner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/06/jim-demint-leaving-the-senate/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 6, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2013}} He broke rank with his party and powerful state interests several times: DeMint was one of 34 Republicans to oppose President Bush's No Child Left Behind program and one of 25 to oppose Medicare Part D. He sought to replace No Child Left Behind with a state-based block-grant program for schools. DeMint also worked to privatize Social Security by allowing the creation of individual investment accounts in the federal program. In 2003, DeMint sponsored legislation to allow people under the age of 55 to set aside 3 percent to 8 percent of their Social Security withholding income in personal investment accounts. DeMint was also the only South Carolina House member to vote for normalizing trade relations with China, arguing in favor of free trade between the countries. He also provided a crucial swing vote on a free trade bill regarding Caribbean countries. His votes led South Carolina's influential textile industry to heavily oppose him in his subsequent House and Senate races.{{cite news | title=Wheeling, Dealing and Making Side Deals; Vow to Scrap Latin Textile Deals Wins Vote on Bush Trade Powers |first=Joseph |last=Kahn |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/08/business/wheeling-dealing-making-side-deals-vow-scrap-latin-textile-deals-wins-vote-bush.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fT%2fTextiles |work=New York Times |date=December 8, 2001 |access-date=April 3, 2013}}{{cite news | title=Business; A Cloth Man With an Iron Will on Trade Policy |first=Jane |last=Tanner |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/09/business/business-a-cloth-man-with-an-iron-will-on-trade-policy.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fT%2fTextiles |work=New York Times |date= June 9, 2002 |access-date= April 3, 2013}}

U.S. Senate

=2004 election=

DeMint declared his candidacy for the Senate on December 12, 2002, after Sen. Ernest Hollings announced that he would retire after the 2004 elections.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} DeMint was the White House's preferred candidate in the Republican primary.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

In the Republican primary on June 8, 2004, DeMint placed a distant second, 10.3% behind former governor David Beasley and just barely ahead of Thomas Ravenel. Ravenel endorsed DeMint in the following runoff. DeMint won the runoff handily, however.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

DeMint then faced Democratic state education superintendent Inez Tenenbaum in the November general election. DeMint led Tenenbaum through much of the campaign and ultimately defeated her{{cite web |url=http://www.wistv.com/global/Story.asp?s=2502795 |title=Sen. Majority Leader visits DeMint day after victory over Tenenbaum |first1=Heather |last1=Brown |first2=Jack |last2=Kuenzie |author3=Bret Witt (AP). |date=November 3, 2004 |work=wistv.com |publisher=WISTV |location=Columbia, SC |access-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104090135/http://www.wistv.com/global/Story.asp?s=2502795 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=dead }} by 9.6 percentage points.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} DeMint's win meant that South Carolina was represented by two Republican senators for the first time since Reconstruction, when Thomas J. Robertson and John J. Patterson served together as senators.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

DeMint stirred controversy during debates with Tenenbaum when he stated his belief that openly gay people should not be allowed to teach in public schools. When questioned by reporters, DeMint also stated that single mothers who live with their boyfriends should similarly be excluded from being educators.{{cite news|title=The Big Read: As U.S. political split widened, a friendship fell into the rift|first1=Louise |last1=Radnofsky|first2=Michael M. |last2=Phillips|work=Wall Street Journal|date=November 11, 2010|page=16}} He later apologized for making the remarks, saying they were "distracting from the main issues of the debate." He also noted that these were opinions based on his personal values, not issues he would or could deal with as a member of Congress.Hoover, Dan (October 6, 2004).[https://archive.today/20120708122255/http://greenvilleonline.com/news/2004/10/06/2004100650449.htm "DeMint apologizes after remarks on gays"], Greenville News.

=2010 election=

File:Rand & Ron Paul, Jim DeMint and Geoff Davis.jpg with Congressman Ron Paul of Texas and Congressman Geoff Davis of Kentucky in on behalf of Rand Paul in 2010]]

DeMint easily won re-nomination in the Republican Party primary.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2010/results/primaries/south-carolina.html|title=South Carolina Primary Results - Election 2010 - The New York Times|website=www.nytimes.com}} Democratic Party opponent Alvin Greene won an upset primary victory over Vic Rawl.{{cite web|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/16117/28318/en/summary.html#|title=SC - Election Results|website=www.enr-scvotes.org}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Senate-candidate-Vic-Rawl-asks-for-primary-redo-3185138.php|title=Senate candidate Vic Rawl asks for primary redo|first1=Meg|last1=Kinnard|agency=Associated Press|date=June 15, 2010|website=SFGate}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38479.html|title=Rawl may protest unlikely loss to Greene|first=David|last=Catanese|website=POLITICO|date=June 13, 2010 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/greenes-primary-opponent-calls-for-investigation-of-election-results|title=Greene's Primary Opponent Calls for Investigation of Election Results|date=March 26, 2015|website=Fox News}} Greene received scrutiny from Democratic Party officials, with some calling for Greene to withdraw his candidacy or be replaced on the ballot.{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Lach |date=June 9, 2010 |title=SC Dems Asks Alvin Greene To Withdraw From Senate Race |url=http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/sc-dems-asks-alvin-greene-to-withdraw-from-senate-race.php |work=Talking Points Memo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327171354/http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/sc-dems-asks-alvin-greene-to-withdraw-from-senate-race.php |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }} On November 2, 2010, DeMint defeated Greene by a margin of 63% to 28%, with Green Party candidate Tom Clements receiving 9% of the vote.{{Cite news|title=Senate, House, Governor races - Election Center 2010|url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/full/#S|date=December 29, 2010| publisher=CNN}}

=Tenure=

In his first term, DeMint was appointed to the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Special Committee on Aging.{{cite news |author=Staff and wire reports |title=Committee assignments please Sen.-elect DeMint |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SHVJAAAAIBAJ&pg=4501,2620747&dq=jim+demint+committee+commerce-science-and-transportation&hl=en |work=The Post and Courier |location=Charleston, SC |page=3B |date=December 21, 2004 |access-date=November 1, 2013 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2006, DeMint began leading the Senate Steering Committee.{{cite news |title=Pat Toomey to Take Over Steering Committee Chairmanship |first=David |last=Drucker |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/pat-toomey-take-over-steering-committee-chairmanship-214142-1.html?pos=hln |work=Roll Call |date=April 26, 2012 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} DeMint also served as a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.{{cite news |title=Senate panel OKs sea treaty, but fight looms |author=The Washington Times |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/nov/1/senate-panel-oks-sea-treaty-but-fight-looms/?page=all |work=The Washington Times |date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Vote urged to confirm TSA chief |first1=Hugo |last1=Martin |first2=Kathleen B. |last2=Hennessey |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-29-la-fi-tsa29-2009dec29-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=December 29, 2009 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}

As a member of the 111th United States Congress, DeMint joined the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.{{cite news |title=Senate Completes Panel Assignments, With a Few Exceptions |first=Emily |last=Pierce |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/-31644-1.html |work=Roll Call |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} In 2009, DeMint was one of two senators who voted against Hillary Clinton's appointment to Secretary of State, and the next year he introduced legislation to completely repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare.{{cite news |title=Morning Bulletin – Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 |first=Steve |last=Chaggaris |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-4746645-503544.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131102032548/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-4746645-503544.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |work=CBS |date=January 22, 2009 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Senate GOP introduces bill to repeal new health care law |first=Eugene |last=Kiely |url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/03/senate-gop-introduces-bill-to-repeal-new-health-care-law/1#.UfaFz2SDQ2c |work=USA Today |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} Later in 2010, he introduced another piece of legislation titled the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny, which aimed to require congressional approval of any major regulation change made by a federal agency.{{cite news |title=DeMint Wants Law to Rein In Regulations |first=David |last=Herszenhorn |url=http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/jim-demint/page/2/ |work=The New York Times |date=September 22, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} At the end of his first term, DeMint was appointed to the Senate Impeachment Trial Committee for the impeachment of federal judge Thomas Porteous.{{cite news |title=First Senate impeachment trial since Clinton starts |first=Ed |last=O'Keefe |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/09/first_impeachment_trial_since.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913182039/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/09/first_impeachment_trial_since.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 13, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}

After being re-elected in 2010, DeMint became the highest-ranking elected official associated with the Tea Party.{{cite news|title=Santorum on nuclear Iran: 'There's no negotiating with these radicals, we have to stop them'|author=DiStaso, John|work=New Hampshire Union Leader|location=Manchester, N.H | date= November 9, 2011 |quote = National conservative leaders, such as Tea Party leader South Carolina U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, ...}}{{cite news|title=Defining Romney: 'Multiple Choice Mitt' needs to be true to himself|quote= ... Tea Party figures such as Jim DeMint, ...|work =Financial Times | location=London | date= November 8, 2011 | page=12 | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/422f96d0-0959-11e1-a20c-00144feabdc0.html }}[http://www.armytimes.com/news/2012/07/military-toxic-camp-lejeune-water-issue-holds-up-veterans-bill-jim-demint-071612/ Vets bill held up by Lejeune toxic water issue]{{cite news |title=Sen. Jim DeMint and 'tea party': architects of a GOP makeover? |first=Amanda |last=Paulson |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0920/Sen.-Jim-DeMint-and-tea-party-architects-of-a-GOP-makeover |work=Christian Science Monitor |date=September 20, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} During the first year of his second term, DeMint released a letter signed by over 30 other Senate Republicans asking the supercommittee tasked with balancing the federal budget to do so within the next 10 years, and without creating any net tax increases.{{cite news |title=GOP senators warn super committee on taxes |first=Lisa |last=Mascaro |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-xpm-2011-nov-03-la-pn-republicans-taxes-letter-20111103-story.html |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=November 1, 2013}}

In 2012, DeMint announced his resignation from the Senate effective January 2, 2013, to take a job as president of The Heritage Foundation.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/06/166649397/sen-jim-demint-leaving-congress-to-run-heritage-foundation |title=Sen. Jim DeMint Leaving Congress To Run Heritage Foundation |first=Mark |last=Memmott |date=December 6, 2012 |work=npr.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=November 1, 2013}} On December 17, 2012, South Carolina governor Nikki Haley announced that she would name Congressman Tim Scott to fill DeMint's vacated seat.Steinhauer, Jennifer & Jeff Zeleny. [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/17/tim-scott-to-be-named-for-empty-south-carolina-senate-seat-republicans-say/ Tim Scott to Be Named for Empty South Carolina Senate Seat, Republicans Say], New York Times, December 17, 2012.

Political positions

File:Jim DeMint by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg in October 2010]]

DeMint is a member of the Republican Party{{cite magazine |title=McCain Against Heritage |first=Ryan |last=Lizza |url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/06/mccain-vs-heritage.html |magazine=The New Yorker |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} and is aligned with the Tea Party movement. In 2011, DeMint was identified by Salon as one of the most conservative members of the Senate.{{cite news |title=John McCain: Libya vote unlikely |first=Meredith |last=Shiner |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/54770.html |work=Politico |date=May 11, 2011 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Why healthcare may not doom Mitt Romney after all |first=Steve |last=Kornacki |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/05/12/romney_healthcare/ |work=Salon |date=May 12, 2011 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}

=Economy and budget=

Throughout his political career, DeMint has favored a type of tax reform that would replace the federal income tax with a national sales tax and, in addition, abolish the Internal Revenue Service.{{cite news |title=The DeMint factor |first=Joe |last=Conason |url=http://www.salon.com/2004/10/08/demint_5/ |work=Salon |date=October 7, 2004 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} He has supported many changes to federal spending, such as prioritizing a balanced budget amendment instead of increasing the national debt limit.{{cite news |title=Fighting Words: DeMint Warns Republicans They May Be 'Gone' if They Support Debt Ceiling Increase |first=Jonathan |last=Karl |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senator-jim-demint-warns-republicans-debt-ceiling-vote/story?id=13916811#.UczTdbuYYYw |work=ABC |date=June 24, 2011 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} As a senator, DeMint proposed a two-year earmark ban to prevent members of Congress from spending federal money on projects in their home states.{{cite news |title=Showdown Looms as Jim DeMint Faction Presses for Earmark Ban |first=Raju |last=Chebium |url=http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=106693 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130830191005/http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=106693 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 30, 2013 |work=WLTX |date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} In 2008, presidential candidates John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama co-sponsored DeMint's earmark reform proposal, although it ultimately failed to pass in the Senate.{{cite web |url=http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/mar/12/jim-demint/sen-jim-demint-says-obeys-partial-earmark-ban-woul/ |title=Sen. Jim DeMint says Obey's partial earmark ban wouldn't apply to 90% of earmarks |work=politifact.com |publisher=PolitiFact |access-date=July 3, 2013}} In March 2010, DeMint's earmark reform plans were again defeated.{{cite web |url=http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2010/11/vote-looms-for-earmarks-ban/32805/ |title=Vote looms for earmarks ban |first=Humberto |last=Sanchez |work=govexec.com |date=November 23, 2010 |publisher=Gov Exec |access-date=July 3, 2013}} In November of the same year, DeMint, along with nine other senators including Rand Paul and Marco Rubio, proposed another moratorium on earmarks which was adopted by Senate Republicans.{{cite news |title=Plan to Ban Earmarks Exposes Republican Split |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/plan-to-ban-earmarks-exposes-republican-split/ |work=CBS |date=November 9, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite news |title=House Republicans Adopt Earmarks Ban in New Congress |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-republicans-adopt-earmarks-ban-in-new-congress/ |work=CBS |date=November 18, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}

DeMint has also been a proponent of free trade agreements, advocated for the privatization of Social Security benefits, and in 2009 authored the "Health Care Freedom Plan", which proposed giving tax credits to those who are unable to afford health insurance.{{cite news |title=DeMint, Tenenbaum debate touches on jobs, insurance, education |url=http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2443801&nav=0RaMS6a1 |work=WISTV |date=October 18, 2004 |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054549/http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2443801&nav=0RaMS6a1 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Republican plans for health care reform similar to Obamacare hd |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=7WPP-N8G0-YB62-043T&csi=312043&oc=00240&perma=true |work=The Colorado Springs Gazette |date=September 21, 2009 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} DeMint opposed President Barack Obama's health care reform efforts, saying of the Affordable Care Act, "If we're able to stop Obama on this it will be his Waterloo. It will break him."{{Cite book|title=Unaffordable: American Healthcare from Johnson to Trump|last=Engel|first=Jonathan|publisher=University of Wisconsin Press|year=2018|page=206}}

DeMint was the sole 'Nay' vote for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=110&session=1&vote=00316|title=Senate Roll Call}}

DeMint was opposed to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 and the bailouts during the automotive industry crisis of 2008–2010. He also led a group of senators in opposing government loans to corporations.{{cite news |title=Sen. Jim DeMint's Republican Power Play Snags Boeing |first=Zach |last=Carter |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/jim-demint-boeing_n_1373193.html |work=The Huffington Post |date=March 24, 2012 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} He supports a high level of government accountability through the auditing of federal agencies.

=Foreign policy=

In 1999, DeMint voted against the NATO intervention during the Kosovo war.{{cite web |url=http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/jim_demint.htm |title=Jim DeMint |work=ontheissues.org |publisher=On The Issues |access-date=July 3, 2013}} DeMint voted to authorize military force in Iraq in 2002. In 2011, DeMint voted in favor of Rand Paul's resolution opposing military involvement in Libya. He favored preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons over a policy of containment after their development.[http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Jim_DeMint_War_+_Peace.htm "Jim DeMint on War & Peace"] ontheissues.org. Retrieved October 22, 2013.{{better source needed|date=May 2019}}

DeMint has also expressed concern about various United Nations treaties, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Law of the Sea Treaty.{{cite news |title=GOP Democrats spar over UN Disability Treaty in US Senate |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=574Y-DMP1-JCMN-Y07R&csi=299488&oc=00240&perma=true |work=Digital Journal |date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite news |title=LOST treaty |url=http://w3.nexis.com/new/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=55WJ-Y2G1-DYTB-K19D&csi=146816&oc=00240&perma=true |work=The Post and Courier |date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} DeMint favors legal immigration and opposes granting amnesty to illegal immigrants.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/International/Jim_DeMint_Immigration.htm |title=Jim DeMint on Immigration |publisher=Ontheissues.org |access-date=October 24, 2013}} He has expressed opposition to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 on the basis that granting amnesty to illegal immigrants may cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars.{{cite news |title=GOP Leaders Playing Both Sides On Immigration Reform |first=Ryan |last=Grim |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/25/gop-immigration-reform_n_3496219.html |work=The Huffington Post |date=June 23, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Senate amends immigration bill to bolster border security |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/senate-amends-immigration-bill-to-bolster-border-security/2128799/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=June 26, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite news |title=Jim DeMint: Immigration reform will cost Americans trillions |first=Jessica |last=Chasmar |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/may/5/jim-demint-immigration-reform-will-cost-americans-/ |work=The Washington Times |date=May 5, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}

In a May 15, 2020, editorial in Newsweek, DeMint stated that while he continued to support free trade, he was wrong about liberalizing trade with China.{{cite web | last1=DeMint | first1=Jim | title=I've Changed My Mind About China. America Should Too. | url=https://www.newsweek.com/ive-changed-my-mind-about-china-america-should-too-opinion-1504210 | date=May 15, 2020 | work=Newsweek | access-date=May 31, 2020}}

=Obama administration=

In October 2009, after the Honduran Army, on orders from the Honduran Supreme Court, removed Manuel Zelaya as president, DeMint visited the country to gather information. The trip was approved by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell but opposed by Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry. DeMint supported the new government, while the Obama administration favored Zelaya's return to the presidency.{{cite news |title=Democrats target Jim DeMint's Honduras trip |first=Carol E. |last=Lee |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/27862.html |work=Politico |date=October 2, 2009 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}

In late 2009, DeMint criticized Barack Obama for waiting eight months into his first term as president before nominating a new head of the Transportation Security Administration.{{cite news |title=DeMint: Obama "Has Downplayed Terrorism" |first=Daniel |last=Carty |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/demint-obama-has-downplayed-terrorism/ |work=CBS |date=December 30, 2009 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} After the attempted bombing of Northwest Flight 253 in December 2009, DeMint stated that President Obama had not put enough focus on terrorism while in office.

DeMint blamed Obama for racism in the United States. He said that Obama "took race back to the '60s, as far as I'm concerned. He made everything a race issue, or at least saw it through a racial lens. The country had moved toward bending over backward to create equality. But then suddenly, with Obama, he just lit the fires. I thought when he was elected that was the big victory, that we had put racism behind us."{{cite web|last=Alberta|first=Tim|title=Is This the Last Stand of the 'Law and Order' Republicans?|url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/08/last-stand-law-and-order-republicans-306333|access-date=June 8, 2020|website=POLITICO|date=June 8, 2020 |language=en}}

=Social issues=

DeMint opposes abortion except when the woman's life is in danger[http://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=25026 Senator Jim W. DeMint] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030183614/https://www.votesmart.org/npat.php?can_id=25026 |date=October 30, 2010 }} at Project Vote Smart. Retrieved June 25, 2010.{{better source needed|date=May 2019}} and opposing research from stem cells derived from human embryos.{{cite news |title=DeMint set to win clash with Tenenbaum |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/02/senate.southcarolina/ |work=CNN |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=July 3, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/South_Carolina/Jim_DeMint/Views/Stem_Cell_Research/ |title=Jim DeMint on Stem Cell |date=December 15, 2010 |work=thepoliticalguide.come |publisher=The Political Guide |access-date=July 18, 2013 |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054622/http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/South_Carolina/Jim_DeMint/Views/Stem_Cell_Research/ |url-status=usurped }}

DeMint voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in December 2009,{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress - 1st Session|website=www.senate.gov}} and he voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote |publisher=Senate.gov |access-date=August 29, 2010}}

He voted in favor of declaring English the official language of the US government.

DeMint is firmly opposed to same-sex marriage. In his book Now or Never: Saving America from Economic Collapse, DeMint states:

{{blockquote|Does government have the right to reshape cultural mores by redefining religious institutions to sanction behavior that is considered immoral by all the world's religions? In America, people should have a right to live with whomever they want, but redefining marriage to promote behavior that is deemed costly and destructive is not the proper role of government.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Archive/Now_Or_Never_Jim_DeMint.htm |title=Jim DeMint in Now Or Never, by Jim DeMint |publisher=OnTheIssues.org |access-date=2015-02-17}}}}

DeMint also argues that same-sex marriage infringes upon religious liberty:

{{blockquote|We just cannot have, particularly the federal government, redefining marriage or telling us what is right or wrong. And if we help America understand that, folks, we're not trying to get the government to do it our way or your way; what we're asking for is the freedom to allow people to live out their faith and values and their lives the way they want. And we believe that our side will win because I'm convinced that most Americans want to have decent moral lives and share our same values. But if the government continues to press in the wrong direction, it begins to change our culture.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/2012_Values_Voters.htm |title=2012 Values Voters Summit |publisher=OnTheIssues.org |access-date=2015-02-17}}}}

DeMint has repeatedly voted for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/Jim_DeMint_Civil_Rights.htm |title=Jim DeMint on Civil Rights |publisher=OnTheIssues.org |access-date=February 17, 2015}} He has also voted to ban same-sex adoption in Washington, D.C. DeMint drew considerable criticism by saying that openly gay teachers should be banned from teaching in public schools.{{cite news|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/SC_Senate.htm |title=SC Senate debate analysis |newspaper=Charleston City Paper |date=October 22, 2004 |access-date=February 17, 2015}}

In a 2008 interview, DeMint said that while government does not have the right to restrict homosexuality, it also should not encourage it through legalizing same-sex marriage, due to the "costly secondhand consequences" to society from the prevalence of certain diseases among homosexuals.DeMint, Jim. [http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2008-01-31/senator-jim-demint-why-we-whisper-rowman-littlefield Remarks to Diane Rehm], The Diane Rehm Show, National Public Radio, January 31, 2008. On October 1, 2010, DeMint, in comments that echoed what he had said in 2004, told a rally of his supporters that openly homosexual and unmarried sexually active people should not be teachers.Shackleford, Lynne P. [http://www.goupstate.com/article/20101002/ARTICLES/10021004/1002/SPORTS04?p=1&tc=pg "DeMint addresses conservative issues at Spartanburg church rally"], October 2, 2010. In response, the National Organization for Women, the National Education Association, the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign, GOProud (a GOP group), and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force asked for DeMint's apology.Kinnard, Meg. ["Gay, women's groups want apology from DeMint"], Associated Press, The State, October 7, 2010. {{dead link|date=September 2011}}Terkel, Amanda. [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/07/teachers-unions-demint-gays-single-women_n_753986.html "Teachers Unions Pile on DeMint: 'Ignorance and Hate Go Hand In Hand'"], Huffington Post, October 7, 2010.

Later career

= Senate Conservatives Fund =

File:Jim DeMint (33064437426).jpg in 2017]]

In 2008, DeMint formed the Senate Conservatives Fund (SCF), a political action committee with the intention of supporting conservative candidates that may have otherwise been overlooked by the national party.{{cite news |title=Jim DeMint's Path to Power |first=Lisa |last=Lerer |url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196031953733.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920190649/http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_39/b4196031953733.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 20, 2010 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=September 16, 2010 |access-date=November 1, 2013}} The SCF is associated with the Tea Party movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/02/mcconnells-repeal-vote-rallies-the-base/70612/|title=McConnell's Repeal Vote Rallies the Base|first=Chris|last=Good|date=February 1, 2011|website=The Atlantic}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/140637-demint-to-iowa-amid-denials-of-presidential-run|title=DeMint to Iowa amid denials of presidential run|first=Michael|last=O'Brien|date=January 27, 2011|website=TheHill}} It supports conservative Republican politicians in primary challenges and general elections.{{cite news |title=Democrats go after Tom Cotton |first=Rachel |last=Weiner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/27/democrats-go-after-tom-cotton/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 27, 2013 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} SCF states that it raised $9.1 million toward the 2010 U.S. Senate elections and which endorsed successful first-time Senate candidates Pat Toomey, Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Ron Johnson, Marco Rubio.{{cite web|url=https://www.senateconservatives.com/|title=Senate Conservatives Fund|website=www.senateconservatives.com}}{{better source needed|date=May 2019}} DeMint left SCF in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/the-campaign-spot/sen-jim-demint-resign-take-over-heritage-foundation-jim-geraghty/|title=Sen. Jim DeMint to Resign, Take Over Heritage Foundation|date=December 6, 2012|website=nationalreview.com|access-date=January 16, 2019}}

=The Heritage Foundation=

On April 4, 2013, DeMint started his first full day as president of The Heritage Foundation.{{cite web|url=http://blog.heritage.org/2013/04/04/morning-bell-greetings-from-heritages-new-president-jim-demint|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406012149/http://blog.heritage.org/2013/04/04/morning-bell-greetings-from-heritages-new-president-jim-demint/|url-status=unfit|archive-date=April 6, 2013|title=Morning Bell: Jim DeMint's First Day As Heritage President|date=April 4, 2013|publisher=The Foundry at heritage.org|first=Jim|last=DeMint|access-date=November 6, 2013}} The Washington Post reported that DeMint's predecessor at the Heritage Foundation, Edwin Feulner, was paid a base salary of $477,097 in 2010 compared to a U.S. Senator's salary of $174,000 and that year DeMint was one of the poorest members of the Senate, with an estimated wealth of $40,501.{{cite news|first=Rachel|last=Weiner|title=Jim DeMint leaving the Senate|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2012/12/06/jim-demint-leaving-the-senate|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 6, 2012}}

On May 2, 2017, DeMint was fired from The Heritage Foundation following a unanimous vote of the foundation's board of trustees,{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/05/02/526617944/jim-demint-ousted-from-heritage-foundation-in-major-shake-up |title=Jim DeMint Ousted From Heritage Foundation In Major Shake-Up |publisher=NPR |date=May 2, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/heritage-foundation-jim-demint|title=Former Sen. Jim DeMint Ousted at Heritage Foundation|first1=Kate|last1=Ackley|date=May 2, 2017|via=www.rollcall.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/heritage-foundation-ousts-jim-demint-power-struggle|title=The Heritage Foundation ousts Jim DeMint after power struggle|date=May 2, 2017|website=PBS NewsHour}} which had lost confidence in his ability to maintain the organization's role as a fount of conservative thinking.[https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/02/why-jim-demint-was-ousted-from-heritage-237876 The real reason Jim DeMint got the boot], Politico, by Eliana Johnson and Nancy Cook, May 2, 2017 A public statement by the board said a thorough investigation of the foundation's operations under DeMint found "significant and worsening management issues that led to a breakdown of internal communications and cooperation." "While the organization has seen many successes," the board statement said, "Jim DeMint and a handful of his closest advisers failed to resolve these problems."[https://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/02/why-jim-demint-was-ousted-from-heritage-237876 "The real reason Jim DeMint got the boot"], Politico, May 2, 2017

=Citizens for Self-Governance=

In June 2017, DeMint became a senior advisor to Citizens for Self-Governance, a group which is seeking to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution in order to reduce federal government spending and power. According to DeMint, "The Tea Party needs a new mission. They realize that all the work they did in 2010 has not resulted in all the things they hoped for. Many of them are turning to Article V." The proposed constitutional convention would impose fiscal restraint on Washington D.C., reduce the federal government's authority over states, and impose term limits on federal officials.{{cite news|last1=Schouten|first1=Fredreka|title=Exclusive: In latest job, Jim DeMint wants to give Tea Party ' a new mission'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/06/12/jim-demint-joins-group-that-wants-to-amend-constitution-tea-party/102748540/|access-date=June 13, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 12, 2017}}

=Conservative Partnership Institute=

In 2017, DeMint founded the Conservative Partnership Institute, of which he serves as chairman.{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/25/jim-demint-conservative-partnership-institute-240933 |date=July 26, 2017 |work=Politico |title=DeMint launches new group to boost conservatives in Washington |first=Jake |last=Lahut}}{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/13/white-house-hill-job-fair-645592 |work=Politico |date=June 13, 2018 |title=Trump White House advertises at a Hill job fair amid staff exodus |first=Annie |last=Karni |quote=The fair is being hosted by the Conservative Partnership Institute, an organization founded by former Heritage Foundation president Jim DeMint last year.}} The stated purpose of the CPI is the professional development of conservative staffers and elected officials. Mark Meadows joined as senior partner in January 2021.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/536152-mark-meadows-joins-conservative-partnership-institute/ |title=Mark Meadows joins Conservative Partnership Institute |work=The Hill |date=January 27, 2021 |accessdate=August 5, 2022}} The Save America PAC donated $1 million to the CPI.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/01/trump-gave-1m-to-meadows-nonprofit-weeks-after-jan-6-panels-creation.html |title=Trump gave $1M to Meadows nonprofit weeks after Jan. 6 panel's creation |publisher=Cnbc.com |date= February 2022|accessdate=August 5, 2022}}

A 2022 NPR investigation found CPI might be violating prohibitions on 501(c)(3) charities providing benefits to political parties (in this case, the Republican Party).{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/31/1119751840/experts-say-a-trump-backed-charity-is-pushing-the-boundaries-of-tax-law |title=Experts say a Trump-backed charity is pushing the boundaries of tax law |author=Tom Dreisbach |publisher=NPR |date=August 31, 2022}}

=2020 election results=

As part of the attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election, DeMint signed a December 10, 2020, letter from the Conservative Action Project asking state legislatures in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Michigan to disregard the popular vote outcomes in each of those states and appoint slates of electors to the Electoral College in support of President Donald Trump.{{cite web |orig-date=December 10, 2020 |title=Conservatives Call on State Legislators to Appoint New Electors, in Accordance with the Constitution |date=December 10, 2020 |url=http://conservativeactionproject.com/conservatives-call-on-state-legislators-to-appoint-new-electors-in-accordance-with-the-constitution/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827030221/https://conservativeactionproject.com/conservatives-call-on-state-legislators-to-appoint-new-electors-in-accordance-with-the-constitution/ |archive-date=August 27, 2023}}

Personal life

DeMint's wife, Debbie, is one of three children of the late Greenville advertising entrepreneur and South Carolina Republican figure James Marvin Henderson Sr.{{cite web|title=Legacy of Leadership: James M. Henderson (1921–1995)|url=http://www.knowitall.org/legacy/laureates/james%20m.%20henderson%20.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612213338/http://www.knowitall.org/legacy/laureates/james%20m.%20henderson%20.html|archive-date=June 12, 2013|access-date=December 20, 2013|publisher=knowitall.org}}

Works

Why We Whisper: Restoring Our Right to Say It's Wrong, with J. David Woodard. Rowman & Littlefield. 2007.
{{cite book|title=Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide Into Socialism|year=2009|publisher=Fidelis|isbn=978-0-8054-4957-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/savingfreedomwec00demi}}
{{cite book|title=The Great American Awakening: Two Years that Changed America, Washington, and Me|year=2011|publisher=B&H Books|isbn=978-1-4336-7279-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/greatamericanawa0000demi}}
Now or Never: Saving America from Economic Collapse. Center Street, 2012.
Falling in Love With America Again Center Street, 2014.
{{cite book|title=Satan's Dare|year=2021|publisher=Fidelis|isbn=978-1735856315|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khwsEAAAQBAJ}}

References

External links

{{C-SPAN|57895}}
{{CongLinks | congbio=d000595 | votesmart=25026 | fec=S4SC00083 | congress=james-demint/1605 }}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 4th congressional district|years=1999–2005}}

{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from South Carolina}}
(Class 3)|years=2004, 2010}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the Senate Republican Steering Committee|years=2007–2012}}

{{s-ttl|title=U.S. Senator (Class 3) from South Carolina|years=2005–2013|alongside=Lindsey Graham}}

{{USCongRep-start|congresses= 106th–112th United States Congresses |state=South Carolina}}

Category:1951 births

Category:Living people

Category:Christians from South Carolina

Category:Clemson University alumni

Category:Politicians from Greenville, South Carolina

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina

Category:Republican Party United States senators from South Carolina

Category:Sigma Alpha Epsilon members

Category:South Carolina Republicans

Category:Tea Party movement activists

Category:The Heritage Foundation people

Category:University of Tennessee alumni

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:21st-century United States senators