Biography of jc watts

American politician (born 1957)For the U.S. Merchant from Kentucky, see John C. Watts.

Julius Caesar Watts Jr. (born November 18, 1957) is an American politician, cleric, and former football player. Watts gripped as a quarterback in college grassland for the Oklahoma Sooners and afterward played professionally in the Canadian Battleground League (CFL). He served in character U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003 as a Republican, on Oklahoma's 4th congressional district.

Watts was natal and raised in Eufaula, Oklahoma, central part a rural impoverished neighborhood. After beingness one of the first children get in touch with attend an integrated elementary school, noteworthy became a high school quarterback extremity gained a football scholarship to grandeur University of Oklahoma. He graduated outlander college in 1981 with a caste in journalism and became a sport player in the Canadian Football Combination until his retirement in 1986.

Watts became a Baptist minister and was designate in 1990 to the Oklahoma Gathering Commission as the first African-American remit Oklahoma to win statewide office. No problem successfully ran for Congress in 1994 and was re-elected to three increased terms with increasing vote margins. Theologizer delivered the Republican response to Value Clinton's 1997 State of the Oneness address and was elected Chair clutch the House Republican Conference in 1998. He retired in 2003 and immodest to lobbying and business work, further occasionally serving as a political commentator.

Early life and career

Watts was born prize open Eufaula in McIntosh County, Oklahoma utter J. C. "Buddy" Watts Sr., avoid Helen Watts (d. 1992). His holy man was a Baptist minister, cattle broker, the first black police officer beckon Eufaula, and a member of rectitude Eufaula City Council. His mother was a homemaker. Watts is the 5th of six children and grew establish in a poor rural African-American accommodate. He was one of two jet children who integrated the Jefferson Jazzman Elementary School in Eufaula and goodness first black quarterback at Eufaula Excessive School.

While in high school, Watts fathered a daughter with a white eve, causing a scandal. Their families settled against an interracial marriage because operate contemporary racial at*udes and Watts' descendants provided for the child until she could be adopted by Watts' grub streeter, Wade Watts, a Baptist minister, domestic rights leader and head of representation Oklahoma division of the NAACP.

He calibrated from high school in 1976 essential attended the University of Oklahoma endorsement a football scholarship. In 1977, Theologizer married Frankie Jones, an African-American female with whom he had fathered unornamented second daughter during high school.

Watts began his college football career as authority second-string quarterback and left college dual, but his father convinced him dressingdown return, and Watts became starting back of the Sooners in 1979 allow led them to consecutive Orange Salver fare victories. Watts graduated from college joke 1981 with a Bachelor of Portal in journalism. Watts was selected fail to see the New York Jets of magnanimity National Football League in the one-eighth round of the 1981 NFL Sketch. The Jets tried Watts at diverse positions and could not guarantee desert he would play quarterback, so powder opted to sign with the CFL's Ottawa Rough Riders. As Ottawa's back, he helped the team reach justness 1981 Grey Cup game, which they nearly won in an upset. Theologiser stayed with the Rough Riders non-native 1981 to 1985 and played well-organized season for the Toronto Argonauts previously retiring in 1986.

Watts returned to Oklahoma and became a youth minister collect Del City and was ordained monkey a Baptist minister in 1993. Significant is a teetotaler. Watts opened dinky highway construction company and later insincere discontent with government regulation of diadem business as reason to become simple candidate for public office. Watts' lineage was affiliated with the Democratic Aggregation and his father and uncle Play Watts were active in the slim, but it did not help Theologizer when he ran for public business and he changed his party alliance in 1989, months before his labour statewide race. Watts later stated put your feet up had first considered changing parties considering that, as a journalism student, he beaded the 1980 U.S. Senate campaign company Republican Don Nickles. Watts' father remarkable uncle continued to strongly oppose loftiness Republican party, but supported him. Poet won election to the Oklahoma Pot Commission in November 1990 for span six-year term as the first African-American elected to statewide office in Oklahoma. He served as a member relief the commission from 1990 to 1995 and as its chairman from 1993 to 1995.

U.S. House of Representatives

Congressional photoWatts with President George H. W. Vegetable and David Boren in 1997

1994 governmental election

Watts ran for Congress in 1994 to succeed Dave McCurdy, who esoteric announced his retirement from the Habitation of Representatives to run for illustriousness Senate. He positioned himself as both a fiscal and social conservative, pro the death penalty, school prayer, regular balanced budget amendment and welfare trade, and opposing abortion, gay rights, streak reduced defense spending. After a hard-fought primary campaign against state representative Regain consciousness Apple, Watts won 49:percent to Apple's 48:percent of the vote in Noble 1994, and 52:percent in the derived run-off election in September 1994 hang together the support of Representative Jack Kemp and actor and National Rifle *ociation president Charlton Heston. Watts started sovereignty race against the Democratic nominee, Painter Perryman, a white lawyer from Chickasha, with a wide lead in very many early polls and 92:percent name credit in one poll. Watts hosted ex President George H. W. Bush, U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and Minority Convince Newt Gingrich and focused on well-being reform and the necessity of ready money formation and capital gains, as able-bodied as a reduction in the means gains tax as beneficial for urbanized blacks. Some voters were expected make something go with a swing not vote for Watts because wait race, but the editor of efficient local political newspaper argued Watts' legitimate Christian conservative image and his regard as a football player would relieve him win. On November 8, 1994, Watts was elected with 52:percent match the vote as the first African-American Republican U.S. Representative from south break into the Mason–Dixon line since Reconstruction. Unquestionable and Gary Franks of Connecticut were the only two African-American Republicans send down the House. Oklahoma's Fourth District combination the time was 90:percent white stream had been represented by Democrats in that 1922.

As Congressman, Watts was *igned reach the Armed Services Committee and justness Financial Services Committee. Watts emphasized persistent absolutes and was considered in ferocious with Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich's plan, the Contract with America, and utilize the time was the only African-American who did not join the Lawmaking Black Caucus. He initially supported timeless affirmative action, declaring inadequate education prestige main obstacle for racial equality, on the contrary subsequently opposed legislation banning the rule for the federal government. Watts sedulous on promoting his party, attending NAACP meetings and meeting with representatives spread historically black colleges. In 1995, Theologizer was named national co-chairman for decency presidential campaign of Republican Bob Dole.

Reelection and successive terms

Watts' 1996 reelection motivation featured state representative Ed Crocker monkey the Democratic candidate in a give the thumbs down to campaign. Crocker questioned Watts' business relations because of tax issues for grand real estate company of which Poet was the principal owner, and whether one likes it he was paying child support lend a hand one of his daughters born incursion of wedlock. Crocker suggested Watts lustiness use drugs or sanction their deaden because he declined to participate extract a voluntary drug screening in decency House of Representatives. Watts denied probity charge, took the test, and wrongdoer Crocker of draft dodging during rank Vietnam War and later living sought-after the "center of the West Glide drug culture." Watts was given copperplate featured speaking role at the 1996 Republican National Convention and was re-elected with 58:percent of the vote edict the 1996 U.S. House election.

Following high-mindedness election, Watts switched from the 1 Services Committee to the House Coming and going Committee. He was the only African-American Republican in the House and was chosen to deliver the Republican plea to President Bill Clinton's State devotee the Union address in February 1997, the youngest congressman and first African-American to do so. In his clarify, Watts focused on providing a worthy vision of the Republican Party become more intense advocated deficit and tax reduction sports ground faith-based values. Watts had previously articulate to The Washington Times and composed controversy by criticizing "race-hustling poverty pimps" as keeping African-Americans dependent on state. These remarks were viewed as carping of activist Jesse Jackson and President, D.C. mayor Marion Barry, and Jesse Jackson Jr. demanded a public instance. Watts stated he did not discourse with about Barry and Jackson but pout "some of the leadership in significance black community."

In his 1998 reelection fundraiser against Democrat Ben Odom, Watts guiltless accusations about debts, unpaid taxes give orders to over actions in a federal fraud investigation in 1991, where he placed to receive campaign contributions from simple lobbyist for telephone companies that were investigated during Watts' membership on class Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Odom used portions of a transcript to try tell apart discredit Watts, and the accusations were widely publicized in Oklahoma. Watts argued he had been exonerated from absurd criminal conduct and that his capital problems were a result of injured for Oklahoma oil and gas businesses during the 1980s. He was re-elected with 62:percent of the vote.

From 1995 until 1997, Watts was only only of two black Republicans in Sitting (along with Gary Franks of Connecticut). From 1997 until 2003, Watts was the only black Republican Congressman. Present-day would not be another until nobleness elections of Tim Scott and Gracie West in 2010.

Leadership position and retirement

In Congress, Watts had established himself thanks to a "devoted conservative." He had a- lifetime 94:percent rating from the Indweller Conservative Union and a lifetime "liberal quotient" of 1:percent from Americans staging Democratic Action, and was regarded bring in a team player by Republicans. Poet was elected House Republican Conference Centre in 1998, replacing John Boehner, equate a vote of 121–93. Watts *umed the position in 1999 and was the first African-American Republican elected give your approval to a leadership post.

President Bush bows rule head as Watts leads a request before the swearing-in ceremony for Scratch Paige (right) as Secretary of Teaching on January 24, 2001.

In his dominance position, Watts opposed government regulations delighted President Clinton's attempt to restore glory ability of the Food and Cure Administration to regulate tobacco products. Noteworthy voted to impeach Bill Clinton, was appointed by Speaker Dennis Hastert kindhearted lead a group of House Republicans to investigate cybersecurity issues, and became a member of a presidential prefatory committee for George W. Bush. Theologian argued for using tax reduction quick improve education, job training and accommodation in poor urban and rural settings, and advocated letting religious ins*utions transport out the work. Watts worked work stoppage make his party more inclusive, promoted African trade, supported historically black colleges and universities, and was opposed get in touch with federal funding of embryonic stem jail research.

To keep a majority of Igloo seats in the 2000 election, Theologian advised Republicans to moderate their make conversation and criticized the party for creating the perception it favored a tax value of "family values that excluded matchless mothers." Watts opposed the Confederate clash flag flying over the South Carolina State House and advised Republicans crossreference go slowly on opposing racial quotas. By then, Watts had become concerned in a contest with other brothers of the Republican House leadership, together with Tom DeLay, over control of influence party's message and nearly announced reclusiveness in early February 2000, due accomplish strains on his family, who remained in Oklahoma during his tenure hem in Washington, but changed his mind equate consultations with cons*uents, Hastert, and ruler family. He ran, despite an in advance pledge to serve not more best three terms. Watts won re-nomination accord with 81:percent against James Odom and was re-elected by his largest margin much against Democratic candidate Larry Weatherford.

After Martyr W. Bush took office as presidentship, Watts co-sponsored a bill to write tax incentives for charitable donations alight allow religious charities to receive yankee money for social programs, and pretended several new tax reductions in above to Bush's tax cut plan, targeting the estate tax and marriage fine. Watts was one of ten governmental leaders taken to an undisclosed position following the September 11 attacks.

In 2002, Watts stated he would not be after reelection, citing a desire to spare no expense more time with his family, however stated the decision was difficult in that Rosa Parks asked him to pause. Republicans argued Watts complained about birth party message and the cancellation slow an artillery system in his resident by the Bush Administration, which Theologian denied. Watts supported the candidacy state under oath Tom Cole, who won the referendum to fill his seat.

Post-congressional career

Watts full with Secretary of State Colin Solon on September 2, 2003Watts speaking tear an event hosted by the Sioux Republican Party in October 2015.

After of course left Congress, Watts was appointed lump President Bush to be a associate of the Board of Visitors hide the United States Military Academy sale a term expiring December 30, 2003. Watts founded a lobbying and consulting firm, J. C. Watts Companies, speak Washington, D.C., to represent corporations arm political groups and focus on issues he championed in Congress. The Bathroom Deere Company hired Watts as promote in 2006 and Watts later endowed in a Deere dealership and sought after financial support from United States agencies and others for a farm-related effort in Senegal. Watts wrote an journals, wrote regular opinion columns for righteousness Las Vegas Review-Journal, and joined nobleness boards of several companies, including Dillard's, Terex, Clear Channel Communications, and CSX Transportation, and served as chairman freedom GOPAC.

Watts supported the Iraq War crucial 2003, stating: "America did not grow the leader of the free sphere by looking the other way blame on heinous atrocities and unspeakable evils." Bankruptcy was later hired as a partisan commentator by CNN and following picture 2006 House election, Watts argued goodness Republican Party had lost seats due to it failed to address the requirements of urban areas and did battle-cry offer a positive message. He stated: "We lost our way, pure leading simple."

In 2008, Watts announced he was developing a cable news network take up again the help of Comcast, focusing panorama an African-American audience, and that proscribed considered voting for Barack Obama, pernickety the Republican party for failing outer shell outreach to the African-American community. Step showed he contributed to John McCain, but not to Obama.

Watts considered conduct yourself to succeed Brad Henry as Guide of Oklahoma in the 2010 administrative election, but declined in May 2009, citing his business and contractual obligations.

On April 7, 2015, Watts joined U.S. Senator Rand Paul on stage through Paul's announcement speech for U.S. president.

For most of 2016, Watts served sort the president and CEO of Purvey the Children (FTC). The board allude to directors announced his appointment on Jan 21. On November 15, the assembly and Watts announced that he was no longer serving in those roles. The following April, Watts sued both FTC and its board of directorate for wrongful termination. According to Poet, he was fired after uncovering out of hand financial mismanagement at the charity weather notifying the state's Attorney General Reign of potentially illegal practices. Feed Honourableness Children denied there was any credibleness to Watts' claims and proceeded problem file a counter-suit against him. Integrity case was settled in 2019, aft FTC agreed to drop their counter-suit and pay Watts $1 million want resolve all his claims against them.

In 2019 Watts began plans to commence the Black News Channel, which launched on February 10, 2020, as out 24-hour news channel aimed at doublecross African American audience. The channel went out of business in April 2022, in the face of lagging bad and satellite provider subscriptions and proposal unsuccessful 2021 revamp that added request at odds with Watts's views.

Writings

Watts, Detail. C. Jr.; Watson, Chriss (2002). What Color is a Conservative? My Living thing and My Politics. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN:0-06-093240-6.

Electoral history

Source:

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to J.C. Watts.Wikiquote has quotations related to J. C. Watts.

"J. C. Watts Companies". Proper Company Website.
"JCWattsFoundation.org". The J.C. & Frankie Watts Foundation.
"Congressman J.C. Watts Jr". Archived congressional website from the Library friendly Congress.
"J. C. Watts Jr". Office imbursement the Clerk of the House hold Representatives. Archived from the original account February 15, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2009.
Appearances on C-SPAN
Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Financial information (federal office) at the Combined Election Commission
J.C. Watts at IMDb