Wamp Names Campaign Leaders For Whip Race

Congressmen Ray LaHood and Gil Gutknecht have agreed to co-chair Congressman Zach Wamp's campaign to become House Majority Whip.

"I am honored that Ray and Gil have agreed to serve in leadership roles in my campaign for Majority Whip," Rep. Wamp said. "Both Ray and Gil have served our Conference as real team players and have stood firm for their principles and beliefs even when it was not popular. They both have remarkable integrity, have distinguished themselves by displaying true courage and independence over the last decade since our class came to Washington in 1995 and are committed to the core principles of lower taxes and limited government."

Rep. LaHood, who represents the 18th District of Illinois which Abraham Lincoln once served, is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and a true statesman with leadership lineage having served 12 years as the chief of staff for former Minority Leader Bob Michel, who ably led House Republicans from 1981 to 1994.

"Zach Wamp is my choice for Majority Whip," said Rep. LaHood, "and I will be working hard to secure his election. Since we were first elected as classmates in the historic 1994 election, Zach has proven himself to be a true leader in our Conference. He has earned the respect of many Members with his honesty and integrity and I am certainly pleased to count him as a true friend. I commend him for his willingness to run for Whip. He gives our Conference the opportunity to elect someone with a conservative philosophy who will work with all Members to achieve our legislative goals. I am delighted to be supporting Zach and look forward to working with him as our next Majority Whip."

Rep. Gutknecht, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District, served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for more than a decade before being elected to Congress and has never forgotten his blue-collar roots. An independent voice on the House Budget Committee, Gutknecht has a well-deserved reputation as a budget hawk in reigning in federal spending.

"I am happy to help lead the effort on behalf of Zach Wamp," said Rep. Gutknecht. "Even when I've disagreed with Zach, I've always admired his tenacity and his willingness to stand on principle."

Reps. LaHood and Gutknecht "will help lead a fresh start in the House to show voters that Republicans remain the true party of change from the status quo and a return to fiscal sanity," Rep. Wamp said.

He added, "These men have tremendous credibility within our Conference and their support should give my campaign for Majority Whip significant momentum. Both Ray and Gil appreciate my "fresh and friendly" approach to leadership in this era of needed reform and to have their support is both humbling and a tremendous honor."