History of Patrick McHenry in Timeline

Patrick Timothy McHenry, a Republican, has represented North Carolina's 10th congressional district, including Hickory and Mooresville, in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2005. He became chair of the House Financial Services Committee in 2023. Prior to his time in Congress, he served one term in the North Carolina House of Representatives.

1963: Republican Representation in North Carolina's 10th District

North Carolina's 10th Congressional district has been represented by Republicans since 1963.

October 22, 1975: Birth of Patrick Timothy McHenry

Patrick Timothy McHenry was born on October 22, 1975.

1998: McHenry's First Run for North Carolina House of Representatives

While still a college junior, in 1998, Patrick McHenry ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives. He won the Republican primary but lost the general election.

1999: McHenry Earns a Bachelor's Degree in History

Patrick McHenry earned a B.A. in history in 1999.

2000: McHenry's Involvement in Rick Lazio's Senate Campaign

In 2000, Patrick McHenry worked on Rick Lazio's campaign for the United States Senate election in New York, managing the website NotHillary.com.

2000: McHenry's Role in George W. Bush's Presidential Campaign

In mid-2000, Karl Rove hired Patrick McHenry to be the national coalition director for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential campaign.

2001: Volunteer Coordinator for Bush's Inaugural Committee and Special Assistant to Elaine Chao

In late 2000 and early 2001, Patrick McHenry served as a volunteer coordinator for George W. Bush's inaugural committee. Following this, he worked for six months as a special assistant to Elaine Chao, the United States Secretary of Labor.

2002: McHenry's Return to North Carolina and Election to the General Assembly

In 2002, Patrick McHenry returned to North Carolina and successfully ran for the North Carolina General Assembly.

2003: McHenry Represents North Carolina's 109th House District

During the 2003–04 session, Patrick McHenry represented North Carolina's 109th House district, which included parts of Gaston County. He also served on the House Appropriations Committee.

2004: McHenry's Congressional Run and Primary Victory

Following his term in the North Carolina General Assembly, Patrick McHenry decided to run for Congress in the 10th Congressional district in 2004 after incumbent Cass Ballenger announced his retirement. He won a very close race against David Huffman in the primary runoff.

2004: McHenry's Aide Charged with Voter Fraud

In 2004, an aide to Patrick McHenry who had lived in McHenry's home, which was also the campaign headquarters, was indicted for voter fraud, allegedly voting illegally. McHenry defended his aide and claimed it was a smear campaign.

2005: McHenry's Election to U.S. House of Representatives

In 2005, Patrick McHenry became the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 10th congressional district.

2006: McHenry's Reelection to Congress

Patrick McHenry won reelection to Congress in 2006, defeating Democrat Richard Carsner.

April 2008: Controversy Surrounding McHenry's Green Zone Video

In April 2008, Patrick McHenry faced criticism for a video posted on his campaign website that showed him in Baghdad's Green Zone pointing out landmarks and damage from missile attacks. Veterans' groups argued that the video compromised security. McHenry removed the video after discussions with the Pentagon.

April 16, 2008: Roll Call Reports McHenry's Use of PAC Funds for Legal Defense of Former Aide

On April 16, 2008, Roll Call reported that Patrick McHenry used funds from his political action committee to cover the legal expenses of a former aide accused of voter fraud during McHenry's 2004 campaign.

2008: McHenry Faces Strong Democratic Challenger

In the 2008 election, Patrick McHenry won the Republican Primary with a significant margin against Lance Sigmon. In the general election, he faced Democrat Daniel Johnson, who was considered a strong contender. Despite the close contest, McHenry emerged victorious.

January 2009: McHenry as the Youngest Member of the 109th United States Congress

At 29 years old, Patrick McHenry became the youngest member of the 109th United States Congress. However, 27-year-old Aaron Schock of Illinois later took that title when he joined the 111th United States Congress in January 2009. He also served as a deputy whip and held a finance leadership role within the National Republican Congressional Committee.

2010: McHenry Marries Giulia Cangiano

Patrick McHenry married Giulia Cangiano in 2010.

May 24, 2011: McHenry Questions Elizabeth Warren at House Subcommittee Meeting

On May 24, 2011, Patrick McHenry, as chair of a House subcommittee, questioned Elizabeth Warren, who was then overseeing the creation of the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, about her previous testimony before Congress.

2012: Honorary MBA from Yorktown University

Patrick McHenry received an honorary M.B.A. in entrepreneurship from Yorktown University in 2012.

2014: McHenry as House Republican Chief Deputy Whip

Patrick McHenry served as the House Republican chief deputy whip from 2014 to 2019.

2019: McHenry's Role as Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee

From 2019 to 2023, Patrick McHenry was the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee.

2020: McHenry's Stance on the 2020 Election Results

Patrick McHenry did not join many of his Republican colleagues in challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election.

2020: McHenry Supports Payday Lending Rule Change

Patrick McHenry supported a 2020 rule change by the Trump administration that removed the requirement for payday lenders to verify a borrower's ability to repay high-interest loans.

2021: McHenry Votes to Certify Electoral College Votes

In the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count, Patrick McHenry voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's votes.

2022: McHenry Bitten by a Rabid Fox

In 2022, Patrick McHenry was bitten by a rabid fox while running on Capitol Hill.

October 3, 2023: McHenry as Speaker pro tempore

On October 3, 2023, Patrick McHenry assumed the role of Speaker pro tempore of the House following the removal of Kevin McCarthy.

October 25, 2023: End of Tenure as Speaker pro tempore

Patrick McHenry's time as Speaker pro tempore of the House ended on October 25, 2023.

December 2023: McHenry Announces Decision Not to Seek Reelection

In December 2023, McHenry announced his decision to not seek reelection in 2024, reversing an earlier announcement from October.

2023: McHenry saves congressman's daughter from choking

In 2023, Representative Mike Lawler revealed that Patrick McHenry had saved his 15-month-old daughter's life. The incident occured when the young girl began choking on food at an event, and McHenry intervened, saving her life.