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Former New York Republican Representative '''Bill Paxon''' became a member of Congress in 1988 and [http://ny.yahoo.com/external/wcbs_radio/stories/8884454210.html resigned on February 25, 1998], amidst speculation as to his true motivation. (Also see external links below.) Paxon was described in July 1997 as "a loyal, yet back-room player until 1994, when his role as chairman of the [[National Republican Congressional Committee]] (NRCC) thrust him in the spotlight after the Republicans gained 52 seats and recaptured the House for the first time in 40 years."[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/paxon/] Paxon was "known as a political wonk obsessed by the ''how to'' of winning elections [who] lobbied vigourously [and] unanimously won the NRCC post. There he inherited a $4.5 million debt-ridden, overstaffed committee which held little credibility within the GOP. After downsizing the committee, Paxon worked with then-Minority Whip [[Newt Gingrich]] to showcase the revamped NRCC, soliciting large donations and recruiting a record number of GOP challengers. Paxon and the NRCC also helped craft the [[Contract With America]], winning close to unanimous support for the package from Republican candidates."[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/paxon/] On the Board of Governors for the [[Partnership for Public Service]].  "Leaving the NRCC in 1996, Paxon was elected chairman of the House Republican Leadership where he ... served as a loyal lieutenant for House Speaker Newt Gingrich."[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/paxon/] "A natural politician, Paxon's roots are in Buffalo where at the age of 15 he volunteered in the first congressional campaign of favorite hometown boy and Buffalo Bill quarterback, [[Jack Kemp]]. Paxon continued in politics after college and at the tender of 23 was elected to the Erie County legislature, the youngest member ever (1978-1982). He was elected to the New York Assembly in 1988, but later the same year won Kemp's House seat when the former football star ran for president."[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/paxon/] "A staunch and consistent conservative, Paxon fought against the 1991 gasoline tax increase and has proposed legislation that would clamp down on corrupt environmental contractors. [While sitting] on the Energy and Commerce Committee, policy [was] not Paxon's strong suit. Democratic Rep. [[Louise Slaughter]], whose district adjoins Paxon's in upstate New York, has observed, 'Legislation does not interest him. His interest is just to rid the world of Democrats.'"[http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/players/paxon/] --------- == Other Related SourceWatch Resources == *[[lobbying firms]] *[[soft money]] == External Links == *[http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/files/030498.html What's Wrong with the Paxon Picture?], Arianna Online, March 4, 1998. *Jacob Weisberg, [http://slate.msn.com/id/2305/ Bill Paxon's Mysterious Epiphany. A replaceable man falls on his sword], MSN.com, March 7, 1998: Paxon was "displaced from his position in the House Republican leadership as punishment for his role in the failed coup against Speaker Newt Gingrich" in July 1997.