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Paul D. TonkoDEMDemocrat United States Representative, NY-20
74
Years of Age
47
Years of Experience
NYResidence (state)

Paul David Tonko (TONK-oh; born June 18, 1949) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 20th congressional district since 2013. He represented the 21st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has been called a staunch progressive. After the 2020 redistricting cycle and effective for the 118th Congress, the 20th district will include all of Albany County, Saratoga County and Schenectady County, as well as part of Rensselaer County. From 1983 to 2007, Tonko represented the 105th district in the New York State Assembly. He was appointed to serve as president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority from 2007 until his resignation in April 2008. Soon afterward, he declared his candidacy for Congress, and was elected in November 2008. Tonko is the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials in the 118th Congress. Since 2013, he has been the highest-ranking Democrat on the panel, which authorizes, oversees and investigates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Voterly's Issue Scores  (1 - 30 of 30)

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Special Interest Group Ratings

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Average Score

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Campaign Funding

20
18
$1,338,047
Total Raised
$1,241,548
Total Spent
$688,670
Cash on Hand
Financial Data Source: Center for Responsive Politics
Education3 - 3 of 1
Clarkson University at Potsdam
BA Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
1971
Past Positions1 - 7 of 7
Chair
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors
1975 - 83
Representative
United States House of Representatives
2013 - Current
Representative
United States House of Representatives
2009 - 2013
Assemblyman
New York State Assembly
1983 - 2007
President
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
2007 - 2008
Senior Valuation Engineer
Department of Public Service
Engineer
New York State Department of Transportation
Other Experience1 - 37 of 37
Delegate
Democratic National Convention
1988
Board of Directors
Montgomery County Unit, American Cancer Society
Honorary Member
Amsterdam Waterfront Revitalization Committee
Board of Directors
Montgomery County Red Cross
Board of Directors
Hispanic Outreach Services
Board of Directors
Horace J. Inman Senior Citizens Center
Board of Trustees
WMHT Public Broadcasting Station
Chair of the Assembly Energy Committee
New York State Assembly
Commissioner
Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission
Honorary Foundation Trustee
Saint Mary's Hospital
Member
Schenectady Chamber of Commerce
Member
Knights of Columbus, Council 209
Member
Montgomery County Wildwood Programs
Member
Public Employees Federation
Member
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
Member
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 101
Member
National Council on Competition
Member
Kiwanis Club, Amsterdam, New York
Member
Assembly Task Force, Mohawk Valley
1990 - Current
Chair
Standing Committee on Energy, New York State Senate
Former Member
House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology
Former Member
Energy and Environment Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Natural Resources Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Environment (Science, Space and Technology), United States House of Representatives
Former Member
House Natural Resources Committee
Former Member
House Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change
Former Member
House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands
Former Member
Education and Workforce Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Science, Space and Technology Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Budget Committee, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Subcommittee on Research and Technology, United States House of Representatives
Former Member
Energy Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Ranking Member
Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Former Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, United States House of Representatives
Former Ranking Member
Environment Subcommittee, United States House of Representatives
Member
National Steering Committee, Electric Industry
Member
Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition