Jim Kolbe

James Thomas Kolbe (born June 28, 1942 – December 3, 2022) was an American politician. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Arizona's 5th congressional district from 1985 until 2003 and for the 8th congressional district from 2003 until 2007.

Kolbe came out as gay in August 1996 after his vote in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act. He won re-election that year. In 2000, he became the first openly gay person to address the Republican National Convention.

In 2018, Kolbe left the Republican Party as a protest from President Donald Trump.

Kolbe supported Joe Biden for president in the 2020 presidential election.

In December 2022, Kolbe died from a stroke.

References

Category:1942 births
Category:2022 deaths
Category:United States representatives from Arizona
Category:Politicians from Evanston, Illinois
Category:Businesspeople from Evanston, Illinois
Category:Politicians from Tucson, Arizona
Category:Businesspeople from Tucson, Arizona
Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians
Category:Independent politicians in the United States
Category:LGBT people from Illinois
Category:LGBT people from Arizona
Category:Gay men
Category:American LGBT politicians
Category:LGBT businesspeople