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Matthew James (Matt) Salmon (b. January 21, 1958) is a former Republican Congressional Representative from Arizona. In 2002 he lost to Janet Napolitano in a highly competitive Arizona governor's race.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Quotes 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Salmon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona in 1976. He later went on to attend Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in 1981. In 1986 he graduated with a masters in public administration from Brigham Young University, later becoming a telecommunications executive and community affairs manager.

Based on his telecommunications and community affairs experience, Salmon decided in 1991 to run for elected office. He served as a member of the Arizona state senate from 1991–95. From 1993–95 he was the assistant majority leader.

In 1994 he was elected as a Republican to the 104th and to the two succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1995–January 3, 2001). During his first Congressional election campaign, term limits were a high-profile issue. Salmon was one of many candidates nationwide who pledged to serve only three terms in Congress. He honored his campaign pledge and did not stand for reelection to the 107th Congress in 2000.

Salmon was instrumental obtaining the January 29, 2000 release of U.S. based academic researcher Song Yongyi from detention in China on spying charges.^[1]

He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Arizona in 2002 and as of 2006 is a lobbyist and chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.

Preceded by Samuel G. Coppersmith

U.S. Representative for Arizona's 1st Congressional District 1995–2001

Succeeded by Jeff Flake

• "Janet has dodged debates. Where does she stand on the issues? Most of the time she's on the fence." (In reference to then candidate Janet Napolitano)^[2]

• "We need to focus on the needs of Arizona," Salmon said. "We need seasoned people. We need experienced voices in Congress." (In reference to refusing to repeat the term limit pledge that impelled him to leave the U.S House of Representatives after his first three terms in 2000)^[3]

• Governors of Arizona

1. ^ Academic freed by China flies home January 29, 2000 BBC News World Service
2. ^ Southwestern Political Report MacNeil/Lehrer Productions September 16, 2002
3. ^ Ex-Rep. Salmon in '06 race Will he run against Flake? by Chip Scutari The Arizona Republic September 23, 2004

• Matt Salmon biography from Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• 2002 Arizona Governor's Race USA Today November 11, 2002
• Salmon holds vision for Arizona's GOP "Ex-congressman eyes chairman seat" The Arizona Republic November 28, 2004 (restricted access)