Steve Womack

Early life, education, and business career

Womack was born in Russellville, Arkansas, the son of Elisabeth F. (Canerday) and James Kermit Womack. He spent most of his childhood in Moberly, Missouri; but moved back to Russellville at the age of 16 and graduated from Russellville High School in 1975. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1979. Shortly afterward, he enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard. He served for 30 years, retiring in 2009 as a colonel. Womack's father founded KURM-AM in 1979, and Womack served as station manager from 1979 to 1990. He then served as executive officer of the Army ROTC program at the University of Arkansas from 1990 to 1996, then joined Merrill Lynch as a financial consultant.

Mayor of Rogers

In 1998, Womack was elected mayor of Rogers, the ninth largest city of Arkansas. He served for twelve years as the city's mayor. During his time as mayor, Womack sought to crack down on illegal immigration by assigning two Immigration and Naturalization Service agents to the Rogers Police Department. As a result, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund filed a class-action suit against the city's police force for racial profiling.

In 2002 and 2006 Womack won re-election unopposed.

2010

In late 2009, Womack jumped into the race for the 3rd District after incumbent Republican John Boozman gave it up to run for the United States Senate. The 3rd is one of the most Republican districts in the South and the nation (Republicans have held it since 1967), and it was generally believed whoever won the Republican primary would be the district's next congressman. He ranked first in the seven-candidate primary with 31% of the vote, failing to reach the 50% threshold. In the June runoff, he defeated State Senator and fellow Rogers resident Cecile Bledsoe 52%-48%.

In the general election, Womack defeated Democratic nominee David Whitaker, 72%-28%.

2012

Womack was originally set to face veteran Ken Aden in his re-election bid. However, on July 8, Aden withdrew from the race after admitting to exaggerating his military record. As it was too late to select a replacement candidate for Aden (under Arkansas law, the Democratic Party could only name a replacement at that late date if the original candidate died, moved out of the district or opted to seek another office), Womack faced no major-party opposition in November. He won re-election to a second term with 76% of the vote.

Tenure

In 2011, Womack filed an amendment to a spending bill in an attempt to defund Barack Obama's teleprompter.

On February 14, 2013, Womack sponsored H.R. 684, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013, a bill that would allow states to charge and collect sales taxes on internet purchases. Supporters say the bill will create a "level playing field" between online retailers and brick and mortar retailers, while opponents argue that the bill would increase the power of the states, threaten consumer privacy, increase taxes, and hurt small businesses.

In 2010 Womack signed a pledge sponsored by Americans for Prosperity promising to vote against any global warming legislation that would raise taxes.

In a 2015 episode of his show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, John Oliver criticized Womack for blocking the enforcement of laws proposed by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration that would have protected chicken farmers from being threatened or punished by the companies they work for if they spoke out regarding their farming experiences.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Womack attends Cross Church Pinnacle Hills, a Southern Baptist church in Rogers, Arkansas.