Chris Collins

Christopher Carl Collins is a former American politician and businessman who served as a U.S. Representative for New York's 27th congressional district from 2013 until his resignation in 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Collins previously held the position of Erie County Executive and was known for his business background, having served as president and CEO of Nuttall Gear Corporation. His political career was marked by significant events, including his endorsement of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election and subsequent legal issues that led to his resignation from Congress.

Early life and career

Chris Collins was born on May 20, 1950, in Schenectady, New York. He is the son of Constance Messier and Gerald Edward Collins. Due to his father's employment with General Electric, Collins's family relocated frequently during his childhood, which provided him with a diverse upbringing across various parts of the United States. He completed his high school education at Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, North Carolina, graduating in 1968.

Following high school, Collins pursued higher education at North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. During his time at the university, he was an active member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1975. In recognition of his achievements, Collins was inducted into the North Carolina State University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Hall of Fame in 2015.

Collins began his professional career as a mechanical engineer at Westinghouse Electric. He later transitioned to the business sector, where he became president and CEO of Nuttall Gear Corporation, a company based in Niagara Falls, New York. Nuttall Gear was formed through a leveraged buyout of the Westinghouse Electric Gear Division in 1983. Under Collins's leadership, the company thrived until he sold it to Colfax Corporation in 1997.

House tenure

Collins entered the political arena when he was elected as the Erie County Executive in 2007. His campaign focused on themes of reducing government size and taxes, as well as implementing Six Sigma methodologies for efficiency. He won the election against Democratic candidate James P. Keane, securing approximately 63% of the vote, which was viewed as an upset victory. However, Collins's tenure as county executive ended in 2011 when he lost his re-election bid to Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic candidate and Erie County Comptroller.

In 2012, Collins successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York's 27th congressional district. His first term in Congress began in 2013, and he was re-elected for subsequent terms. During his time in the House, Collins became notable for being the first sitting U.S. Representative to endorse Donald Trump for the presidency in 2016. He also served on Trump's presidential transition team, further solidifying his alignment with the Trump administration.

Collins's congressional career was significantly impacted by legal troubles. In August 2018, he and his son were arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and charged with insider trading and making false statements. Following these events, Collins initially suspended his re-election campaign but later resumed it. Despite the controversies, he was narrowly re-elected to Congress in November 2018. However, on October 1, 2019, Collins resigned from his position and subsequently pleaded guilty to charges related to insider trading and lying to the FBI. He began serving a 26-month prison sentence in October 2020 and was later pardoned by President Trump in December 2020.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Collins was involved in various legislative initiatives and served on multiple committees. His legislative focus included issues pertinent to his constituents in New York's 27th district, as well as broader national concerns. Collins's background in business and engineering informed his approach to policy, particularly in areas related to economic development and job creation.

While specific details regarding the bills he sponsored or co-sponsored are not provided, it is known that Collins aimed to advocate for policies that aligned with Republican values, including tax reform and regulatory relief. His support for the Trump administration's agenda was a defining aspect of his tenure, particularly during the early years of Trump's presidency.

In addition to his legislative work, Collins's time in Congress was marked by his participation in various committees, which allowed him to engage with a range of issues. These committees played a crucial role in shaping his legislative priorities and provided a platform for him to influence policy discussions at the federal level.

Overall, Collins's congressional career was characterized by a blend of business acumen and political engagement, culminating in a tenure that was both impactful and controversial. His departure from Congress and subsequent legal challenges have left a lasting mark on his political legacy. Following his release from prison and pardon, Collins announced his intention to run for a congressional seat in Florida's 19th district in 2025, indicating his continued interest in public service and political involvement.