Ed Perlmutter
Edwin George Perlmutter is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2007 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district was located in the northern and western suburbs of the Denver metropolitan area. He previously served as the Colorado state senator from the 20th district from 1995 to 2003. On January 10, 2022, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2022 United States [House of Representatives elections in Colorado#District 7|2022].
Early life, education, and career
Perlmutter was born in Denver, the son of Alice Love and Leonard Michael Perlmutter on May 1, 1953. His father was Jewish, the son of immigrants from Poland; his mother was Christian, and was of English and Irish descent. Perlmutter describes himself as a Christian. Perlmutter graduated from Jefferson High School in Edgewater, Colorado and went on to graduate from the University of [Colorado at Boulder] in 1975. He received his Juris Doctor at Colorado in 1978.Colorado Senate
Perlmutter was a Colorado State Senator from 1995 to 2003. He was elected to two four-year terms to represent central Jefferson County as State Senator from 1995 to 2003—the first Democrat elected in the district in 30 years.He has assisted numerous campaigns and in was co-chair of the John Kerry 2004 presidential campaign in Colorado.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee assignments
Committee on Financial Services- * Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy
- * Subcommittee on Oversight and InvestigationsUnited States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
- * Subcommittee on Energy
- * Subcommittee on SpaceUnited States House Committee on Rules
- '''Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress'''
Caucus memberships
- New Democrat Coalition
- Aerospace Caucus
- Cannabis Caucus
- Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
- Labor Caucus
- NASA Caucus
- National Parks Caucus
- National Wildlife Refuge Caucus
- Olympic and Paralympic Caucus
- Pro-Choice Caucus
- Science and National Labs Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus
- Climate Solutions Caucus
Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act
Since 2013, Perlmutter and Rep. Denny Heck have introduced legislation to improve access to banking and financial services for cannabis businesses. Initially known as the Marijuana Business Access to Banking Act, it was rebranded as the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act in 2017. On September 25, 2019, the House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act by a 321–103 vote, marking the first time that a standalone cannabis reform bill had passed either chamber of Congress.Political campaigns
2006
Perlmutter won the Democratic nomination for the 7th district by defeating former State Representative Peggy Lamm and college professor Herb Rubenstein, with 53% of the vote in the primary. State education chair Rick O'Donnell was unopposed for the Republican nomination. Dave Chandler, a Green, was also a candidate.The seat was held by Republican Bob Beauprez, who was reelected to a second term in 2004 with 55% of the vote, after winning his first term by only 121 votes. He left the seat at the end of the 2004–2006 term, having failed in his bid to become Governor of Colorado.
In late September, O'Donnell was put on the defensive when ads appeared noting that he had previously supported abolishing Social Security. A Survey USA poll soon after that showed Perlmutter with a 54 to 37 percent lead, although GOP consultants guessed that the support was "soft". An October 4 poll released by Zogby showed Perlmutter ahead of O'Donnell by 45-34 percent. Cook Political Report rating: Republican Toss Up. CQPolitics rating: No Clear Favorite.
In the end, Perlmutter soundly defeated O'Donnell for the congressional seat, helping Democrats to regain the majority in the U.S. House.