Background

Life Before Politics

Christopher John Dodd was born in Willimantic, Connecticut to his parents Grace Mary Murphy and Senator Thomas Joseph Dodd on May 27, 1944. His parents were Irish-Americans and practicing Roman Catholics. Dodd attended Georgetown Preparatory School, a Jesuit boys school in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1966 he graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Providence College. Immediately following graduation, Dodd served as a Peace Corps volunteer in a small rural town in the Dominican Republic until 1968; while there, Dodd built a school and a maternity clinic in rural communities and became fluent in Spanish. Then, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, serving until 1975. In 1970 Dodd married Susan Mooney, who he later divorced in 1982. Earning a Juris Doctor at the University of Louisville in 1972, Dodd served as vice president of the law school's student body. The next year, he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and began practicing law in New London.

Entering the House

In 1974 Dodd was elected to represent Connecticut's 2nd District in the House. He served three terms in that capacity as part of the liberal "Watergate class of '74" from 1975 to 1981. During this time he served on the House Select Committee on Assassinations investigating the murders of John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.

A Senior Senator

In 1980 Dodd was elected to the U.S. Senate for Connecticut. He won re-elections in the four elections following, the last being that of 2004. From 1995 to 1997, Dodd served as the General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as a result was the Democratic National Convention's spokesman. Holding views generally left of center, Dodd has received 95%+ rankings from liberal groups such as Americans for Democratic Action and has received low rankings from conservative groups such as the American Conservative Union. (Source: votesmart.org)

The Congress�s premiere advocate for children and families, known as the �Children�s Senator,� Chris formed the first Children�s Caucus in the Senate and spent seven years working to enact the Family and Medical Leave Act that has helped 50 million working Americans never have to choose between the job they need and the family they love. A longtime supporter of early childhood education, he also authored and enacted landmark child care legislation, was named �Senator of the Decade� by the National Head Start Association and has secured funding for federal research into autism and outreach efforts aimed at mothers who give birth prematurely.

As a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris has played a central role in nearly every foreign policy debate over the past 25 years, working with six Presidents and fostering relationships with many of today�s most important world figures. A recipient of the Edmund S. Muskie Distinguished Public Service Award and recognized expert on Latin and South America, he has worked to foster peace, prosperity and democracy abroad. In addition, Chris has fought to ensure our troops in Iraq have the essential equipment that they need and deserve. (Source: 2008 Campaign Site)

Senator Dodd is currently Chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. He serves as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics. He is a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and is the Chairman of its Education and Early Childhood Development Subcommittee. He also is a member of the Rules and Administration Committee.

2008 Presidential Race

On January 19, 2007 Dodd formally announced his candidacy for the Democratic Convention's nomination for president in 2008. After finishing 5th in the Iowa Caucus, Dodd withdrew his candidacy for president (Source: Reuters).

Professional Positions

Accomplishments

Criticism

Additional Information

Contact the Superdelegates

The Democratic superdelegates could have the last word in the presidential nominating process at this year's Democratic convention. Political Base encourages you to contact the superdelegates if you feel they should cast their vote for a certain candidate or by certain principles.

Political Base has gathered the available contact information for each superdelegate and provides users with several options to communicate their opinions and concerns. Follow the link below to send an email to this superdelegate.

• Address:
  448 Russell Building
  Washington D.C., 20510
• Phone: 202-224-2823
• Fax: 202-224-1083 (Send a free internet fax at http://www.faxzero.com)
• Website: http://dodd.senate.gov/
• Send an email: http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3128&cat=Opinion

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