Chris Dodd

**Christopher John** "**Chris**" **Dodd** (born May 27, 1944) is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and Democratic Party politician. He was a United States Senator from Connecticut for thirty-years.

## Early life and career

Dodd was born in Connecticut. He is a graduate of Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland, and Providence College. His father, Thomas J. Dodd, was a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1959-1971.  Chris Dodd served in the Peace Corps for two years before going to law school at the University of Louisville. While he was in law school, he was also a member of the United States Army Reserve.

Dodd won the election in 1974 to be the Representative from Connecticut's 2nd congressional district. He was reelected in 1976 and 1978.  He was elected United States Senator in the elections of 1980. He was the longest-serving senator in Connecticut's history.

Dodd was the chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1995 to 1997. He served as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee until his retirement. In 2006, Dodd decided to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. He left the race to become President after running behind several other competitors. In January 2010, Dodd said that he would not run for re-election in the 2010 elections. Dodd was replaced by Richard Blumenthal. On March 1, 2011, the Motion Picture Association of America said that Dodd will be in control of that organization.

## Infobox (senator)

- **birthname**: Christopher John Dodd
- **image**: Christopher Dodd official portrait 2-cropped.jpg
- **nationality**: American
- **office**: Motion Picture Association of America, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America
- **term start**: March 17, 2011
- **term end**: December 6, 2017
- **successor**: Charles Rivkin
- **preceded**: Dan Glickman
- **jr/sr2**: Senior Senator
- **state2**: Connecticut
- **party**: Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party
- **term start2**: January 3, 1981
- **term end2**: January 3, 2011
- **preceded2**: Abraham A. Ribicoff
- **succeeded2**: Richard Blumenthal
- **state3**: Connecticut
- **district3**: Connecticut's 2nd congressional district, 2nd
- **term start3**: January 3, 1975
- **term end3**: January 3, 1981
- **preceded3**: Robert H. Steele
- **succeeded3**: Sam Gejdenson
- **order4**: Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
- **term start4**: January 3, 2001
- **term end4**: January 20, 2001
- **preceded4**: Mitch McConnell
- **succeeded4**: Mitch McConnell
- **term start5**: June 6, 2001
- **term end5**: January 3, 2003
- **preceded5**: Mitch McConnell
- **succeeded5**: Trent Lott
- **order6**: Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
- **term start6**: January 4, 2007
- **term end6**: January 3, 2011
- **preceded6**: Richard Shelby
- **succeeded6**: Tim Johnson (U.S. Senator), Tim Johnson
- **order7**: Democratic National Committee, General Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
- **term start7**: 1995
- **term end7**: 1997
<small>with Donald Fowler</small>
- **preceded7**: Debra DeLee
- **succeeded7**: Steve Grossman (politician), Steve Grossman & Roy Romer
- **birth place**: Willimantic, Connecticut
- **occupation**: Attorney
- **residence**: East Haddam, Connecticut
- **alma mater**: Providence College <small>(Bachelor of Arts, B.A.)</small>
University of Louisville <small>(Juris Doctor, J.D.)</small>
- **spouse**: Susan Mooney (1970-1982)
Jackie Marie Clegg (1999-present)
- **children**: Grace Dodd
Christina Dodd
- **website**: [http://dodd.senate.gov/ Chris Dodd]
- **signature**: Chris Dodd Signature.svg
- **branch**: United States Army Reserve
- **serviceyears**: 1969-1975