Crimson on the Hill

The Republicans may have swept Capitol Hill in the November elections, but the Democrats remain firmly in control of Harvard's contingent of...

The Republicans may have swept Capitol Hill in the November elections, but the Democrats remain firmly in control of Harvard's contingent of alumni representatives and senators: 27 (plus one Independent) to 14. Overall, Harvard alumni (defined for this exercise as graduates of or matriculants in a degree program) raised their stake on the Hill from 40 members in the 107th Congress to 42 members in the 108th.

JHJ-congress.nancy.johnson
Nancy L. Johnson
Nancy L. Johnson Campaign Office
JHJ-congress.maloney
James H. Maloney
James H. Maloney Campaign Office

In one of the more bizarre Crimson-tinted congressional races of recent years, Nancy L. Johnson '57 (R-Conn.) and James H. Maloney '70 (D-Conn.) found themselves facing each other in Connecticut's new Fifth District after that state lost a representative in the redistricting following the 2000 census. The battle for the Fifth quickly became the toughest race in the state—and one of the five most expensive in the entire country—as the two campaigned in unfamiliar territory and engaged in extensive negative advertising. In the end, Johnson beat Maloney 54 percent to 43 percent.

Two alumni did not run for reelection: Representative J. Stephen Horn, M.P.A. '55 (R.-Calif.), and Senator Robert G. Torricelli, M.P.A. '81 (D.-N.J.), who stepped down in mid campaign. Representative John E. Sununu, M.B.A. '91, Republican of New Hampshire, won promotion to the Senate, where he was joined by legislative-branch newcomer Elizabeth Dole, M.A. '60, J.D. '65, Republican of North Carolina. Four alumni joined the House, including Katherine Harris, M.P.A. '97, Republican of Florida. The new lineup follows (asterisks mark newcomers).

SENATE REPUBLICANS: Michael D. Crapo, J.D. '77 (Id.); *Elizabeth Dole, M.A. '60, J.D. '65 (N.C.); William H. Frist, M.D. '78 (Tenn.); Ted Stevens, LL.B. '50 (Alaska); *John E. Sununu, M.B.A. '91 (N.H.).

SENATE DEMOCRATS: Jeff Bingaman '65 (N.M.); Russ Feingold, J.D. '79 (Wisc.); Bob Graham, LL.B. '62 (Fla.); Edward M. Kennedy '54 (Mass.); Herbert H. Kohl, M.B.A. '58 (Wisc.); Carl Levin, LL.B. '59 (Mich.); John F. (Jack) Reed, M.P.P. '73, J.D. '82 (R.I.); John D. Rockefeller IV '58 (W.V.); Paul S. Sarbanes, J.D. '60 (Md.); Charles E. Schumer '71, J.D. '74 (N.Y.).

SENATE INDEPENDENTS: James M. Jeffords, LL.B. '62 (Vt.).

jhj-congress-harris

HOUSE REPUBLICANS: Douglas K. Bereuter, M.C.P. '66, M.P.A. '73 (Neb.); C. Christopher Cox, M.B.A. '75, J.D. '77 (Calif.); *Katherine Harris, M.P.A. '97 (Fla.); Amory Houghton Jr. '50, M.B.A. '52 (N.Y.); Nancy L. Johnson '57 (Conn.); Thomas E. Petri '62, LL.B. '65 (Wisc.); Robert R. Simmons, G '73, M.P.A. '79 (Conn.); Patrick J. Toomey, '84 (Penn.); David Vitter '83 (La).

Katherine Harris
Katherine Harris Campaign Office
jhj-congress-lynch HOUSE DEMOCRATS: Thomas H. Allen, J.D. '74 (Maine); *James H. Cooper, J.D. '80 (Tenn.); *Artur Davis '90, J.D. '93 (Ala.); Chet Edwards, M.B.A. '81 (Tex.); Barney Frank '61, G '62-'68, J.D. '77 (Mass.); Jane Harman, J.D. '69 (Calif.); William J. Jefferson, J.D. '72 (La.); Ron Kind '85 (Wisc.); James R. Langevin, M.P.A. '94 (R.I.); Sander M. Levin, LL.B. '57 (Mich.); *Stephen F. Lynch, M.P.A. '99 (Mass., first elected 2001); James D. Matheson '82 (Utah); Adam B. Schiff, J.D. '85 (Calif.); Robert C. Scott '69 (Va.); Bradley J. Sherman, J.D. '79 (Calif.); *Christopher Van Hollen Jr., M.P.P. '85 (Md.); David Wu, M '81 (Ore.). JHJ-congress.jim.cooper
Stephen F. Lynch James H. Cooper
Stephen F. Lynch Campaign Office James H. Cooper Campaign Office
JHJ-congress.artur.davis
Artur Davis
Artur Davis Campaign Office

 

The roster above omits legislators who have taught at the University or participated in Harvard programs, but have not enrolled for a degree—such as former Kennedy School professor and Republican presidential candidate Lamar Alexander, who won a Senate seat from Tennessee.        

Most popular

Harvard Law Professor Explains the AI Battle Between Tech and Government

Jonathan Zittrain compares today’s conflicts to tensions surrounding the early internet.

Martin Nowak Placed on Leave a Second Time

Further links to Jeffrey Epstein surface in newly released files.

At Harvard, Mitt Romney Warns Against ‘Authoritarian’ Presidential Power

The former senator touched on polarization, tech governance, and diplomacy during a conversation at the Institute of Politics.

Explore More From Current Issue

Portrait of a man with white hair, wearing a black coat, arms crossed, thoughtful expression.

The Framer Who Refused to Sign the Constitution

Harvard’s Elbridge Gerry helped draft the U.S. Constitution, but worried it might create a new monarch.

Katie Benzan stands on a basketball court holding a ball, with a hoop in the background.

How Women Are Changing the NBA

From coaching staffs to front offices, female leaders are bringing new strategies to men’s basketball.

Colorful illustrated map of Colonial Cambridge and the Harvard College campus featuring buildings of the campus, houses, Cambridge Common, and the Charles River

250 Years Ago, Harvard Was Home to a Revolution

A look at the sights, sounds, and characters that put the University on the frontlines of history