Born on May 8, 1941, in Youngstown Ohio, James A. grew up and graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1959 in Youngstown Ohio. In 1963, James received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. James also received his Master of Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 1973 and another Master of Science degree in 1976, from Youngstown State University in Ohio. He became the executive director of Drug Program Inc. in Mahoning County, Ohio from 1971 to 1981. Mr. Traficant was elected sheriff of Mahoning County, Ohio and served as sheriff from 1981 to 1985. Representative James Traficant was elected as a democrat at the end of 1984 and has been re-elected seven times by a margin of sixty eight percent or more of the vote each time. Mr. Traficant served on the ninety-ninth and to eight succeeding Congresses from January 3, 1985 to July 24, 2002. Congressman James Traficant was expelled from the House of Representatives pursuant to H. Res. 495 passed on July 24, 2002. .
Mr. Traficant is a flamboyant and charismatic man. He is known for his unruly head of hair, his plaid pants, his colorful blazers with contrasting white stitching and his provocative, arm waiving theatrics on the house floor. He is also known to bellow "Beam me up!- a line from "Star Trek- to show his disgust at something in government. The tax code is a frequent target. He once declared: "The White House will not wise up until there is a Chinese rocket stuffed right up their assets."" He once cited "pantyhose crotch closer- as an example of bad jobs left for Americans. These characteristics helped him win elections as sheriff and later as Congressman. Over the years, he has authored and helped pass several bills that have been beneficial to the Mahoning valley. He has fought for issues such as keeping jobs in America, buying products made in America, a minimum wage increase, an amendment to protect our flag, the rights of women in the armed forces, ergonomic regulations to help many working people, supported bipartisanship, and was able to get funding for a county and federal courthouse in his district.
