16 Facts About Wally Herger

On January 10,2012, Herger announced he would not seek re-election in November.

Wally Herger is of Swiss descent; his paternal grandfather emigrated to the US from the canton of Uri in the late 19th century.

Wally Herger was raised on his family's 200-acre cattle ranch and plum farm in the northern California town of Rio Oso.

Wally Herger worked in the family's oil and gas exploration business.

Wally Herger joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was about 20 years old.

Wally Herger graduated from American River College with an Associate of Arts.

Wally Herger attended California State University, Sacramento for a year.

Wally Herger was easily reelected to Congress due to the "safe" Republican voter registration advantage in this district, but his election campaigns were challenged by Democratic candidates in his last campaigns.

In 2010, Wally Herger faced a Republican primary challenge from retired Colonel Pete Stiglich, and ran in the general against Democrat Jim Reed, a lawyer who divides his time between the Bay Area and Fall River.

Wally Herger served on the influential United States House Committee on Ways and Means since his tenure began as a federal representative.

Wally Herger sponsored the Criminal Welfare Prevention Act, passed as part of the larger 1996 Welfare Reform Law.

Wally Herger's gaffe attained the apotheosis of national media attention when Keith Olbermann picked the story up for his show Countdown with Keith Olbermann on August 28,2009.

Wally Herger supported legislation to bolster free and fair trade in an effort to support his constituency.

Wally Herger worked on the Herger-Feinstein Quincy Library Group Forest Recovery Act, which instituted a framework for managing federal forest assets that will be tested on federal lands in Lassen, Plumas, and Tehama counties, and has been negotiated by a diverse coalition that includes environmental and logging interests.

Wally Herger is married to Pamela Sargent, with whom he has 9 children and 19 grandchildren.

Wally Herger is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and used to sit on the United States House Committee on Ways and Means.