1. Rep. Mike Pence (R.-Ind.)
Age: 46
Third term. Won 67% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: 99%
Conservative Credentials: As chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, he consistently preaches fiscal discipline, even if it means getting an occasional slap from GOP leaders.
2. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R.-N.C.)
Age: 29
First term. Won 64% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: N/A
Conservative Credentials: He’s the youngest member of the U.S. House and unabashedly conservative. He’s also unafraid to challenge President Bush, as he did on Social Security reform and government spending.
3. Rep. Scott Garrett (R.-N.J.)
Age: 46
Second term. Won 58% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: 100%
Conservative Credentials: He’s the most conservative member of the New Jersey congressional delegation. Last year he signed a letter demanding Kofi Annan step down as UN secretary-general.
4. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R.-Colo.)
Age: 56
Second term. Won 52% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: 100%
Conservative Credentials: She gained fame for introducing the Federal Marriage Amendment, which, although it failed to win passage in Congress, set off a flurry of activity in state legislatures.
5. Rep. Tom Feeney (R.-Fla.)
Age: 47
Second term. Unchallenged in ’04.
ACU rating: 100%
Conservative Credentials: President Bush was so angered by Feeney’s opposition to the Medicare prescription drug bill, he hung up the phone on him. Feeney called former President Ronald Reagan “our Moses” after Reagan’s death.
6. Rep. Cathy McMorris (R.-Wash.)
Age: 36
First term. Won 60% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: N/A
Conservative Credentials: Named assistant GOP whip as a freshman. She also represents the freshman class on the Republican Steering Committee. Overcame opposition from moderates to win the seat.
7. Rep. Gresham Barrett (R.-S.C.)
Age: 44
Second term. Unchallenged in ’04.
ACU rating: 98%
Conservative Credentials: National security is his top issue. He sponsored legislation to cut off illegal immigration from terrorist-supporting nations and bucked leadership on a 2003 appropriations bill.
8. Rep. John Culberson (R.-Tex.)
Age: 49
Third term. Won 64% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: 99%
Conservative Credentials: This “Jeffersonian Republican” is an immigration hawk who rejected an attempt to allow the Mexican matricula consular document to serve as an acceptable ID. He supports a national sales tax.
9. Rep. Geoff Davis (R.-Ky.)
Age: 46
First term. Won 55% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: N/A
Conservative Credentials: He beat Democrat Nick Clooney, father of actor George, calling the race: “Hollywood vs. the Heartland.” Used his NRA membership and support for gun rights to pound Clooney.
10. Rep. Jeff Miller (R.-Fla.)
Age: 46
Third term. Won 77% of vote in ’04.
ACU rating: 99%
Conservative Credentials: He filled MSNBC host Joe Scarborough’s seat. Miller pays attention to veterans in his military-heavy district. Sponsored a bill to place former President Ronald Reagan’s face on the half-dollar coin.
