Background
Verkamp, John was born on July 31, 1940 in Grand Canyon, Arizona, United States. Son of Jack and Mary (O"Leary) Verkamp.
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John Verkamp
Edit ProfileEducation
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, U. Arizona, 1962,Juris Doctor, 1965.
Career
He served one term as a state senator, but decided not to run for re-election in 2002 after redistricting moved his base of Flagstaff to a primarily Democratic district. Continuing to disagree with the Republicans over the issues of the Iraq War, which he opposed, in 2005 Verkamp joined the Democrats. He filed to run in 2006 as a Democrat for the United States Senate from Arizona, but was late and failed to qualify for the primary.
His family has operated a store at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park for three generations, since 1906.
He went to elementary and high school there. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1962.
He went on to law school, gaining his Juris Doctor degree in 1965 from the University of Arizona. Verkamp entered the United States. Army, serving from 1965-1970, in the United States. and Germany.
He built a private practice in Flagstaff, Arizona, where he lived until 2004.
In 1980 Verkamp was elected as Coconino County Attorney. He was re-elected twice and served a total of three terms, through 1992. While County Attorney, John was elected as President of the Arizona County Attorneys’ and Sheriffs’ Association in 1985-1986.
He was active in other related associations as well.
State office
In 1992 Verkamp ran for state office and was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives from the 2nd district. He was re-elected three more times, serving a total of four terms, until 2000.
That year, he was elected to the Arizona State Senate. During his service he became Chairman of the Commerce Committee.
Through this entire period, he worked on issues related to Education, Healthcare and the Environment.
In 2002, the Republican-dominated state legislature redistricted, moving Flagstaff from its former district, which had included Sedona and Kingman, to a new district containing the Navajo Nation. Its members have historically supported Democratic Party candidates for the state legislature in recent years. John Verkamp decided against running for re-election in the new district.
An opponent of the Iraq War, which started in 2003, and supporter of single-payer health care, Verkamp in December 2005 left the Republican Party over those issues.
He filed to run in 2006 as a Democrat for United States. Senate, saying his opponents were not addressing the Iraq War. As Verkamp was a late entry in the race, he did not gather enough petition signatures to qualify for the September 12 primary election ballot.
Achievements
Politics
Democratic Party, Republican Party.
Membership
Served as captain Judge Advocate General Corps, United States Army, 1965-1970, Europe. Member National District Attorneys Association, Arizona County Attorneys and Sheriffs Association (president 1985-1986), Arizona Alliance Police Chiefs, Sheriffs and County Attorneys (Arizona County Attorney of Year 1985, 87), Arizona Association Counties (president 1989), Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, American Legion.
Connections
Married Linda L. Meline, September 14, 1965. Children: Melanie, Jay, Gregory.
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Born
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Nationality
United States -
Political Party
Democratic party