Drew Ferguson (politician)

Drew Ferguson
Drew Ferguson
House Republican Chief Deputy Whip
	In office; January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Leader	Kevin McCarthy
Preceded by	Patrick McHenry
Succeeded by	Guy Reschenthaler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Georgia's 3rd district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Lynn Westmoreland
Personal details
Born	Anderson Drew Ferguson IV; November 15, 1966 (age 58); Langdale, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Julie Ferguson
Children	6
Education	University of Georgia (BS); Augusta University (DMD)
Website	House website
	Ferguson's voice Ferguson honors Mike Yeager, incoming U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Georgia; Recorded February 25, 2019

Anderson Drew Ferguson IV^[1] (born November 15, 1966) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative for Georgia's 3rd congressional district. The district stretches from the southern suburbs of Atlanta to the northern suburbs of Columbus, including a sliver of Columbus itself.

A member of the Republican Party, Ferguson previously served as the mayor of West Point, Georgia, a city between LaGrange and Columbus.

Early life and education

Ferguson was born in Langdale, Alabama, in 1966^[2] and graduated from the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia.^[3]

Career prior to Congress

Ferguson was a dentist with a family dental practice.^[4] He served as an alderman for West Point, Georgia, and then as mayor from 2008 to 2016. He resigned in 2016 to focus on his race for the House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2016

In 2016, Ferguson ran for the Georgia third district seat, being vacated by Republican incumbent Lynn Westmoreland. He placed in the top two in the May Republican primary and faced State Senator Mike Crane in the runoff. The two had finished within 100 votes of each other;^[5] both had about 27% of the vote.^[4]

In the runoff, Ferguson had the support of business-oriented Republicans, including Westmoreland.^[6] The primary and its runoff were expensive and bitterly contested; Super PACs and other groups outside Georgia spent more than $2 million on the race.^[7]

On July 26, Ferguson defeated Crane with 54% of the vote.^[8] In the November general election, Ferguson defeated Democratic nominee Angela Pendley with 68% of the vote.^[9]

2018

In the May 2018 Republican primary, Ferguson faced Philip Singleton of Sharpsburg, a former Army helicopter pilot;^[10] Ferguson won with 74% of the vote.^[11]

In November, Ferguson defeated Democratic nominee Chuck Enderlin with 66% of the vote.^[12]

Tenure

Ferguson was sworn into office on January 3, 2017.

In November 2018, after he won reelection, Ferguson was appointed chief deputy whip for the House Republican Conference by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.^[13] This post is historically a stepping stone to higher posts. For example, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and House Speakers Dennis Hastert and Kevin McCarthy once served as chief deputy whip.

On May 19, 2021, Ferguson and the other seven Republican House leaders in the 117th Congress voted against establishing a national commission to investigate the 2021 United States Capitol attack. Thirty-five House Republicans and all 217 Democrats present voted to establish the commission.^[14]^[15]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:^[16]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Running for election in 2016, Ferguson's main issues were securing the borders, destroying the Islamic State, strengthening the military, replacing the income tax with a flat tax, repealing Obamacare, and supporting a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.^[4] He signed on to the lawsuit seeking to overturn the result of the 2020 election, one of four Georgian representatives to do so.^[19]^[20] The Supreme Court dismissed the suit on December 11, 2020.^[21]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Ferguson was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated^[22] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.^[23]^[24]^[25]

Abortion

Ferguson has sponsored legislation prohibiting abortion, including H.R. 20 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act,^[26] H.R. 962 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act,^[27] H.R. 784 Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,^[28] H.R. 305 Sanctity of Human Life Act,^[29] and H.R. 369 Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2019.^[30]

LGBT rights

In 2021, Ferguson voted against H.R. 5, the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.^[31]

In response to a 2016 American Family Association survey, Ferguson indicated on a Likert scale question that he agrees with the statement "Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with public funds."^[32]

Israel

Ferguson voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.^[33]^[34]

Controversy

In February 2019, a representative from the American Federation of Government Employees sought an apology from Ferguson for a biography of Robert E. Lee that was on display in Ferguson's office. The AFGE representative reported that the book displayed a page that detailed Lee's pro-slavery beliefs. Ferguson's spokeswoman relayed an apology and said the book had been removed from display.^[35]^[36]

Electoral history

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 Republican Primary, 2016^[37]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Crane	15,584	26.9
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	15,491	26.8
	Republican	Jim Pace	13,312	23.0
	Republican	Chip Flanegan	5,728	9.9
	Republican	Richard Mix	5,285	9.1
	Republican	Samuel Anders	1,657	2.9
	Republican	Arnall Thomas	812	1.4
Total votes			57,869	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 Republican Runoff Primary, 2016^[38]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	22,813	53.9
	Republican	Mike Crane	19,490	46.1
Total votes			42,303	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 General Election, 2016^[39]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	207,218	68.3
	Democratic	Angela Pendley	95,969	31.7
Total votes			303,187	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 Republican Primary, 2018^[40]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	43,381	74.4
	Republican	Philip Singleton	14,948	25.6
Total votes			58,329	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 General Election, 2018^[41]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	191,996	65.5
	Democratic	Chuck Enderlin	101,010	34.5
Total votes			293,006	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 General Election, 2020^[42]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	241,526	65.0
	Democratic	Val Almonord	129,792	35.0
Total votes			371,318	100.0

U.S. House, Georgia District 3 General Election, 2022^[43]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Drew Ferguson	213,524	68.75
	Democratic	Val Almonord	97,057	31.25
Total votes			310,581	100.0

Personal life

Ferguson is married to his wife, Julie Ferguson.^[44] They have six children.

References

^ "How KIA Came To Georgia - Georgia Trend". www.georgiatrend.com. August 2009.
^ "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
^ "The Citizen Q&A — West Point Mayor Ferguson seeks 3rd District seat". The Citizen (Fayette Publishing). March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leopold, Vicki (July 14, 2016). "Conservative Showdown for Congress in 3rd". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
^ Hallerman, Tamar (July 26, 2016). "Chamber of Commerce-backed Drew Ferguson wins 3rd District GOP runoff". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
^ Hallerman, Tamar (January 3, 2017). "Drew Ferguson sworn in as Georgia's newest member of Congress". ajc. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
^ Hallerman, Tamar (July 25, 2016). "Swamping west Georgia: Groups spend $2.1 million on U.S. House race". ajc. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
^ "GA - Election Results". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
^ "Georgia U.S. House 3rd District Results: Drew Ferguson Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
^ Sones, Aaron (March 14, 2018). "Army Vet To Take On Ferguson". Gradick Communications LLC (WLLB Local News). Retrieved September 4, 2019.
^ "Georgia Primary Election Results: Third House District". The New York Times. May 29, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
^ Wright, Ben (November 6, 2018). "U.S. Reps. Bishop and Ferguson win big in re-election to Congress". Columbus Ledger-Inquirer.
^ Byrnes, Jesse (November 27, 2018). "Scalise taps Rep. Drew Ferguson to serve as House GOP deputy whip". The Hill. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
^ Roll Call 154 Bill Number: H. R. 3233 117th Congress, 1st Session, United States House of Representatives, May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
^ How Republicans voted on a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Washington Post, May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
^ "A. Drew Ferguson IV". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
^ "Members". U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
^ "Member List". House of Representatives. Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
^ "Most GOP U.S. House members back Texas suit casting election doubt".
^ "After Trump Loss, Georgia Republicans Attack Voting Systems They Enacted". December 11, 2020.
^ "Supreme Court rejects Texas-led lawsuit to overturn election results". December 11, 2020.
^ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
^ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
^ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
^ Smith, Christopher H. (February 25, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.20 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
^ Wagner, Ann (March 22, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.962 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
^ Smith, Christopher H. (March 5, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.784 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
^ Hice, Jody B. (January 8, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.305 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Sanctity of Human Life Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
^ Hartzler, Vicky (January 31, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.369 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2019". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
^ "Roll Call 39, Bill Number: H. R. 5, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
^ "Public Notes on 16AFA_Q3B". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Thebault, Reis. "A Confederate book was open to a racist passage in a GOP congressman's office. He blamed his staff". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
^ Kauffman, Tim. "Federal Employee Union Demands Apology from Rep. Ferguson Over Racially Offensive Office Display". www.afge.org. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
^ "General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election May 24, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "General Primary and Nonpartisan General Runoff July 26, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "General Election November 8, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "May 22, 2018 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election". Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "November 6, 2018 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State Robyn A. Crittenden. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "November 3, 2020 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State BRAD RAFFENSPERGER. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
^ "November 8, 2022 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State BRAD RAFFENSPERGER. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
^ "Biography". Drew Ferguson.

External links

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
Profile at Vote Smart
Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Lynn Westmoreland	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 3rd congressional district 2017–present	Succeeded by Brian Jack Elect
Party political offices
Preceded by Patrick McHenry	House Republican Chief Deputy Whip 2019–2023	Succeeded by Guy Reschenthaler
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Adriano Espaillat	United States representatives by seniority 195th	Succeeded by Brian Fitzpatrick

[1] "How KIA Came To Georgia - Georgia Trend". www.georgiatrend.com. August 2009.

[2] "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2017.

[3] "The Citizen Q&A — West Point Mayor Ferguson seeks 3rd District seat". The Citizen (Fayette Publishing). March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

[:0-4] Leopold, Vicki (July 14, 2016). "Conservative Showdown for Congress in 3rd". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

[5] Hallerman, Tamar (July 26, 2016). "Chamber of Commerce-backed Drew Ferguson wins 3rd District GOP runoff". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 2, 2019.

[6] Hallerman, Tamar (January 3, 2017). "Drew Ferguson sworn in as Georgia's newest member of Congress". ajc. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

[7] Hallerman, Tamar (July 25, 2016). "Swamping west Georgia: Groups spend $2.1 million on U.S. House race". ajc. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

[8] "GA - Election Results". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.

[9] "Georgia U.S. House 3rd District Results: Drew Ferguson Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 3, 2019.

[10] Sones, Aaron (March 14, 2018). "Army Vet To Take On Ferguson". Gradick Communications LLC (WLLB Local News). Retrieved September 4, 2019.

[11] "Georgia Primary Election Results: Third House District". The New York Times. May 29, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 4, 2019.

[12] Wright, Ben (November 6, 2018). "U.S. Reps. Bishop and Ferguson win big in re-election to Congress". Columbus Ledger-Inquirer.

[13] Byrnes, Jesse (November 27, 2018). "Scalise taps Rep. Drew Ferguson to serve as House GOP deputy whip". The Hill. Retrieved September 4, 2019.

[14] Roll Call 154 Bill Number: H. R. 3233 117th Congress, 1st Session, United States House of Representatives, May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.

[15] How Republicans voted on a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Washington Post, May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.

[16] "A. Drew Ferguson IV". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved May 8, 2023.

[17] "Members". U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved January 12, 2019.

[18] "Member List". House of Representatives. Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2017.

[19] "Most GOP U.S. House members back Texas suit casting election doubt".

[20] "After Trump Loss, Georgia Republicans Attack Voting Systems They Enacted". December 11, 2020.

[21] "Supreme Court rejects Texas-led lawsuit to overturn election results". December 11, 2020.

[22] Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.

[23] Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.

[:1-24] "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.

[25] Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.

[26] Smith, Christopher H. (February 25, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.20 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2019". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.

[27] Wagner, Ann (March 22, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.962 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.

[28] Smith, Christopher H. (March 5, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.784 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.

[29] Hice, Jody B. (January 8, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.305 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Sanctity of Human Life Act". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.

[30] Hartzler, Vicky (January 31, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.369 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2019". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2021.

[31] "Roll Call 39, Bill Number: H. R. 5, 117th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. February 25, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2022.

[32] "Public Notes on 16AFA_Q3B". www.ontheissues.org. Retrieved May 3, 2022.

[33] Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.

[34] Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[35] Thebault, Reis. "A Confederate book was open to a racist passage in a GOP congressman's office. He blamed his staff". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 3, 2022.

[36] Kauffman, Tim. "Federal Employee Union Demands Apology from Rep. Ferguson Over Racially Offensive Office Display". www.afge.org. Retrieved May 3, 2022.

[37] "General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election May 24, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[38] "General Primary and Nonpartisan General Runoff July 26, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[39] "General Election November 8, 2016". Georgia Election Results. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[40] "May 22, 2018 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election". Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[41] "November 6, 2018 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State Robyn A. Crittenden. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[42] "November 3, 2020 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State BRAD RAFFENSPERGER. Retrieved July 16, 2022.

[43] "November 8, 2022 General Election". Georgia Secretary of State BRAD RAFFENSPERGER. Retrieved October 4, 2023.

[44] "Biography". Drew Ferguson.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44]