Schweikert, David, 1962-

David S. Schweikert (/ˈʃwaɪkərt/; born March 3, 1962) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 6th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Republican Party, he first entered Congress in 2011, representing Arizona's 5th congressional district until redistricting. His district includes most of northern Phoenix as well as Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and Cave Creek.

Schweikert served two terms in the Arizona State House of Representatives (1991–1994), chaired the state Board of Equalization (1995–2004), and was the elected Maricopa County Treasurer (2004–2007). He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives twice (losing the primary to J. D. Hayworth in 1994 and the general election to incumbent Harry Mitchell in 2008) before being elected in 2010.

Schweikert was born in Los Angeles, California, to an unwed mother who, according to Schweikert, had considered an abortion but chose instead to put him up for adoption.[citation needed] He grew up in Scottsdale with his adoptive parents and two adoptive siblings. He graduated from Saguaro High School in 1980, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and real estate in 1985 and an MBA from Arizona State University's W. P. Carey School of Business.

Schweikert was elected to the Arizona State House of Representatives for District 28 in 1990 and reelected in 1992.[2][3][4] He represented Fountain Hills and part of Scottsdale. He arrived in the wake of the AzScam scandal, and was a committee chair as a freshman and majority whip in his second term.

Schweikert was appointed chair of the Arizona State Board of Equalization, a full-time job, where he served from 1995 to 2003. As chair, he was responsible for overseeing billions of dollars in valuations and tax protests from Arizona citizens and businesses. There was speculation in 1999 that Arizona Governor Jane Dee Hull might appoint him to the Arizona State Corporation Commission.

Schweikert was appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer of Maricopa County in 2004 and elected treasurer the same year. He resigned in 2007 to run for Congress again.