Next November, when Americans enter the polling booths, there will be five emergency physicians who are either seeking re-election or running for a seat in the US House of Representatives.
In 2012, these five EPs will seek, or defend, a national public office. Here’s our thumbnail sketch of what to expect.
Next November, when Americans enter the polling booths, there will be five emergency physicians who are either seeking re-election or running for a seat in the US House of Representatives.
The decision to run for office, especially at the national level, is not one that gets made easily; there are many factors that need to be considered: Who is my likely opponent? Is there an incumbent? Can I get the party’s support . . . do I really want it? How much money will it take to run a competitive race? Do I have the support of my family, friends, and colleagues? How much time can I commit to campaigning? What will happen to my career in emergency medicine, especially if I win?
In this issue, Emergency Physicians Monthly will introduce the candidates and provide some basic information. However, in the following months we will dig a little deeper into these questions and provide our readers with an opportunity to get to know each candidate and view their positions on key issues facing emergency medicine.
Even if these docs are not running in your district/state, you can still support their campaigns through political contributions. No matter your political leanings, having Rep. Joe Heck (NV) elected as the first (and only) EP in Congress in 2010 was a great stride forward for emergency medicine. Imagine how much louder our voice would be as a specialty if on election night 2012, emergency medicine could count five of our own as members of the US Congress. As you learn more about these five candidates, consider joining the dialogue and getting involved.
John McGoff, MD
Basics: Republican challenger running in Indiana’s 5th District against Rep. Dan Burton (R)
Society: Active ACEP Member
Contributor? Yes. Last NEMPAC contribution in 2010.
Background: In this solid Republican district, the election will be decided in the primary. This is McGoff’s third run against Rep. Burton in the primary. NEMPAC has supported his previous campaigns.
Education: McGoff graduated from Indiana University in 1980 and then enrolled into the IU School of Medicine. He did his residency in EM at Thomas Jefferson University, then returned to Indianapolis and began working in the ED at Community Hospital, where he’s been Chairman of the ED for many years.
Support: McGoff has received $2,500 to date from NEMPAC for the 2012 race, $5,000 for 2010 race and $5,000 for 2008 race.
Website: www.drjohnmcgoff.com
Paige Kreegel, MD
Basics: Republican candidate running for Florida congressional seat yet to be determined
Society: Board certified in EM but has not been an ACEP member since 1986 – AMA member
Contributor? No contributions to NEMPAC
Background: Kreegel is currently a republican rep. in the Florida House of Reps, District 72. He’s term limited as of 2012. He has worked closely with Florida ACEP. Kreegel has been an assoc. professor at the University of South Florida, he founded American-Medic, a medical clinic, and he’s made several medical mission trips to Central and South America.
Education: Dr. Kreegel graduated from the New York Medical College in 1982 and received an M.B.A. from IMPAC University. He interned at the University of Tennessee Baptist Memorial in Memphis and has worked as an EP at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Support: No NEMPAC support to date
Website: www.myfloridahouse.gov
Randy Jotte, MD
Basics: Republican open seat candidate, running in Missouri’s 2nd District.
Society: Active ACEP member
Contributor? Yes, contributed to NEMPAC’s “Give-a-Shift” in 2011
Background: This is Dr. Jotte’s first run for public office. He will face at least two political veterans (Ed Martin, former Chief of Staff for Senator Blunt when Governor of MO and Ann Wagner, Republican political operative) in a republican primary. The seat leans Republican.
Education: After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Jotte attended Oxford University on a Fulbright Scholarship and then graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1987. Today, Dr. Jotte is an emergency physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.
Support: $2,500 to date from NEMPAC for 2012 race
Website: www.randyjotte.com
Raul Ruiz, MD
Basics: Democratic challenger running for California District 36, which is currently held by Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-CA)
Society: Active ACEP Member
Contributor? No NEMPAC contributions
Education: Dr. Ruiz is an EP at Eisenhower Medical Center and a Senior Associate Dean at the University of California at Riverside School of Medicine. He attended UCLA then Harvard Medical School, where he received an MD, an MPP and an MPH. In El Salvador and Serbia Ruiz served as consultant to the ministers of health on emergency healthcare reform. Ruiz founded the Coachella Valley Healthcare Initiative as well as a pre-med mentorship program. California ACEP awarded Dr. Ruiz the Humanitarian Award in 2011.
Support: ACEP has supported Rep. Mary Bono Mack in the past 3 elections and donated to her 2012 race before Dr. Ruiz announced. No NEMPAC support to date.
Website: www.drruiz2012.com
Joe Heck, DO
Basics: Republican incumbent running for re-election in Nevada’s 3rd district.
Society: Active ACEP member
Contributor? Yes. NEMPAC contributor.
Background: NEMPAC supported Dr. Heck in his first campaign in 2010. Dr. Heck may face a primary challenger and will also have a re-match with his 2010 opponent, former Representative Dina Titus (D) who has announced that she will run again in 2012. Charlie Cook rates the races as “Likely R”.
Support: NEMPAC: $10,000 for 2012, $10,000 for 2010 and $100,000 for 2010 independent expenditures
Website: heck4nevada.com