Dave Weldon

Template:Short description Template:BLP sources Template:Use mdy dates {{#invoke:infobox|infoboxTemplate | bodyclass = vcard | bodystyle = {{#if:|width: {{{mainwidth}}}}} | child = {{{embed}}}

| abovestyle = font-size: 100%;

| above = {{#if:|

{{{honorific-prefix}}}

}}

{{#if:Dave Weldon|Dave Weldon|Template:PAGENAMEBASE}}

{{#if:|

{{{honorific-suffix}}}

}}

| subheaderstyle = font-size:125%; font-weight:bold;

| subheader = {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes||{{#if:|{{#if:|

}}{{{native_name}}}{{#if:|

}}}}}}

| image = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=David Weldon.jpg|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image2 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|size=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | image3 = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=|sizedefault=frameless|upright=1|alt=|suppressplaceholder=yes}} | captionstyle = line-height:normal;padding-top:0.2em; | caption{{#if:|3|{{#if:|2}}}} = Official portrait, 2005

| headerstyle = color: #202122; {{#ifeq:{{{embed}}}|yes|background:#eee|background:lavender}}

| data1 = {{#if:| {{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}}}Template:Infobox officeholder/office{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| {{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}{{#if:|| Template:Infobox officeholder/office}}

| data2 = | header3 = {{#if:David Joseph WeldonTemplate:Birth date and ageAmityville, New York, U.S.RepublicanTemplate:Marriage2Stony Brook University (BS)
University at Buffalo (MD)|Personal details}} | label4 = Pronunciation | data4 =

| label5 = Born | data5 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br

|1 = {{#if:David Joseph Weldon|

David Joseph Weldon

}}

|2 = Template:Birth date and age
|3 = Amityville, New York, U.S.
}}

| label6 = Died | data6 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br||}}

| label7 = {{#ifexpr: Template:Strfind short

   | Manner |{{#if:|Manner|Cause}} }} of death

| data7 = {{#if:||}}

| label8 = Resting place | class8 = label | data8 = {{#invoke:Separated entries|br||}}

| label9 = Citizenship | data9 =

| label10 = Nationality | data10 = {{#switch:{{#invoke:delink|delink|}} | {{#ifeq:Template:Country2nationality|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}|{{#invoke:delink|delink|}}}} = | {{#ifeq:Template:Find country|England|British}} = | #default = }}

| label11 = Political party | data11 = {{#switch:Republican | = | Democrat | Democratic | Democrat = Democratic | Republican | United States Republican Party | Republican | Republican Party = Republican | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Labour Party | Labour = Labour | Conservative Party | Conservative = Conservative | Liberal Party | Liberal = Liberal | KMT | Kuomintang | KMT | KMT | Kuomintang | Kuomintang (KMT) | Kuomintang (KMT) = Kuomintang | DPP | DPP | Democratic Progressive Party = Democratic Progressive Party | #default = Republican }}

| label12 = Other political
affiliations | data12 =

| label13 = Height | data13 = {{#if:|Template:Infobox person/height}}

| label14 = Spouse{{#if:|s|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize|Template:Marriage|likely=(s)|plural=s}}}} | data14 = Template:Marriage

| label15 = Domestic partner{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data15 =

| label16 = Relations | data16 =

| label17 = Children | data17 = 2

| label18 = Parent{{#if:|{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}}|{{#ifexpr:Template:Count > 1|s}}}} | data18 = {{#if:|{{{parents}}}|{{#invoke:list|unbulleted|{{#if:|{{{father}}} (father)}}|{{#if:|{{{mother}}} (mother)}}}}}}

| label19 = Relatives | data19 =

| label20 = Residence{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | class20 = {{#if:||label}} | data20 =

| label21 = Education | data21 = Stony Brook University (BS)
University at Buffalo (MD)

| label22 = Alma mater | data22 =

| label23 = Occupation | data23 =

| label24 = Profession | data24 =

| label25 = Known for | data25 =

| label26 = Salary | data26 =

| label27 = Cabinet | data27 =

| label28 = Committees | data28 =

| label29 = Portfolio | data29 =

| label30 = {{#if:|Civilian awards|Awards}} | data30 =

| label31 = {{{blank1}}} | data31 =

| label32 = {{{blank2}}} | data32 =

| label33 = {{{blank3}}} | data33 =

| label34 = {{{blank4}}} | data34 =

| label35 = {{{blank5}}} | data35 =

| label36 = Signature | data36 = {{#if:|[[File:{{{signature}}}|{{#if:|{{{signature_size}}}|128x80px}}|class=skin-invert|alt=|Dave Weldon's signature]]}}

| label37 = Website | data37 =

| label38 = Nickname{{#invoke:Detect singular|pluralize||likely=(s)|plural=s}} | data38 =

| header39 = {{#if:United StatesTemplate:Tree list

• United States Army
  • Army Reserve

Template:Tree list/endTemplate:Ubl|Military service}}

| label40 = Allegiance | data40 = United States

| label41 = {{#if:||Branch/service}} | data41 = Template:Tree list

• United States Army
  • Army Reserve

| label42 = {{#if:||Years of service}} | data42 = Template:Ubl

| label43 = {{#if:||Rank}} | data43 =

| label44 = {{#if:||Unit}} | data44 =

| label45 = Commands | data45 =

| label46 = {{#if:||Battles/wars}} | data46 =

| label47 = {{#if:|Military awards|Awards}} | data47 =

| label48 = {{{military_blank1}}} | data48 =

| label49 = {{{military_blank2}}} | data49 =

| label50 = {{{military_blank3}}} | data50 =

| label51 = {{{military_blank4}}} | data51 =

| label52 = {{{military_blank5}}} | data52 =

| data53 = | data54 = | data55 = | data56 = | data57 = | data58 = | belowstyle = border-top: 1px solid right;

| below =

{{#if:| As of {{{date}}}{{#if:|, {{{year}}}}}}}

{{#if:|Source: [{{{source}}}]}}

}}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}} }}{{#if:|{{#if:||{{#ifeq:{{#ifeq:|no|yes}}|yes||}}}} }}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox officeholder with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| regexp1 = 1blankname[%d]* | regexp2 = 1namedata[%d]* | regexp3 = 2blankname[%d]* | regexp4 = 2namedata[%d]* | regexp5 = 3blankname[%d]* | regexp6 = 3namedata[%d]* | regexp7 = 4blankname[%d]* | regexp8 = 4namedata[%d]* | regexp9 = 5blankname[%d]* | regexp10 = 5namedata[%d]* | allegiance | alma_mater | regexp11 = alongside[%d]* | alt | regexp12 = ambassador_from[%d]* | regexp13 = appointed[%d]* | regexp14 = appointer[%d]* | regexp15 = assembly[%d]* | awards | battles | battles_label | birth_date | birth_name | birth_place | birthname | regexp16 = blank[%d]* | bodyclass | branch | branch_label | cabinet | candidate | caption | categories | regexp17 = chancellor[%d]* | children | citizenship | regexp18 = co%-leader[%d]* | commands | committees | regexp19 = constituency[%d]* | regexp20 = constituency_AM[%d]* | regexp21 = constituency_MP[%d]* | regexp22 = convocation[%d]* | regexp23 = country[%d]* | regexp24 = data[%d]* | date | death_cause | death_date | death_manner | death_place | demo | regexp25 = deputy[%d]* | regexp26 = district[%d]* | education | election_date | embed | father | regexp28 = firstminister[%d]* | footnotes | regexp29 = governor[%d]* | regexp30 = governor_general[%d]* | regexp31 = governor%-general[%d]* | height | honorific_prefix | honorific-prefix | honorific_suffix | honorific-suffix | image | image name | image_name_alt | image_size | imagesize | image_upright | incumbent | regexp32 = jr/sr[%d]* | regexp33 = jr/sr and state[%d]* | known_for | regexp34 = leader[%d]* | regexp35 = legislature[%d]* | regexp36 = lieutenant[%d]* | regexp37 = lieutenant_governor[%d]* | mainwidth | regexp38 = majority[%d]* | regexp39 = majority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp40 = majority_leader[%d]* | regexp41 = majorityleader[%d]* | mawards | regexp42 = military_blank[%d]* | regexp43 = military_data[%d]* | regexp44 = minister[%d]* | regexp45 = minister_from[%d]* | regexp46 = minority_floor_leader[%d]* | regexp47 = minority_leader[%d]* | regexp48 = minorityleader[%d]* | regexp49 = module[%d]* | regexp50 = monarch[%d]* | mother | name | nationality | native_name | native_name_lang | nickname | nocat | regexp51 = nominator[%d]* | nominee | occupation | regexp52 = office[%d]* | opponent | regexp53 = order[%d]* | otherparty | parents | regexp54 = parliament[%d]* | regexp55 = parliamentarygroup[%d]* | partner | party | party_election | portfolio | regexp56 = preceded[%d]* | regexp57 = preceding[%d]* | regexp58 = predecessor[%d]* | regexp59 = premier[%d]* | regexp60 = president[%d]* | regexp61 = primeminister[%d]* | regexp62 = prior_term[%d]* | profession | pronunciation | rank | rank_label | relations | relatives | residence | resting_place | resting_place_coordinates | restingplace | restingplacecoordinates | regexp63 = riding[%d]* | runningmate | salary | serviceyears | serviceyears_label | signature | signature_alt | signature_size | smallimage | smallimage_alt | source | speaker | speaker_office | spouse | spouses | regexp64 = state[%d]* | regexp65 = state_assembly[%d]* | regexp66 = state_delegate[%d]* | regexp67 = state_house[%d]* | regexp68 = state_legislature[%d]* | regexp69 = state_senate[%d]* | regexp70 = status[%d]* | regexp71 = suboffice[%d]* | regexp72 = subterm[%d]* | regexp73 = succeeded[%d]* | regexp74 = succeeding[%d]* | regexp75 = successor[%d]* | regexp76 = taoiseach[%d]* | regexp77 = term[%d]* | regexp78 = term_end[%d]* | regexp79 = term_label[%d]* | regexp80 = term_start[%d]* | regexp81 = termend[%d]* | regexp82 = termlabel[%d]* | regexp83 = termstart[%d]* | regexp84 = title[%d]* | unit | unit_label | regexp85 = vicegovernor[%d]* | regexp86 = vicepremier[%d]* | regexp87 = vicepresident[%d]* | regexp88 = viceprimeminister[%d]* | regexp89 = assuming[%d]* | website | width | year }} David Joseph Weldon (born August 31, 1953) is an American politician and physician. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Template:Ushr, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination in Florida's 2012 U.S. Senate race.

On November 22, 2024, Donald Trump nominated Weldon as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who requires Senate confirmation. His nomination has drawn attention for his promotion of the disputed claim of a causal link between vaccines and autism, critiques of federal health agencies, and his emphasis on safeguarding personal freedoms in public health policy. Trump withdrew his nomination on March 13, 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Early life, education, and career

Template:BLP sources Weldon was born in Amityville, New York on Long Island<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to Anna (née Mallardi) and David Joseph Weldon Sr. He graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1971 and Stony Brook University in 1978.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He earned his M.D. degree at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in 1981.

Weldon served in the United States Army from 1981 to 1987 and the United States Army Reserve from 1987 until 1992. He practiced as a physician in Florida.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

In the 1994 elections, Weldon decided to run in Florida's 15th congressional district, vacated by Democratic U.S. congressman Jim Bacchus. He was one of seven Republicans to file for the primary. On September 8, he ranked first with 24% of the vote, but failed to reach the 50% threshold to win outright.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the October 4 run-off election, he defeated Carole Jean Jordan 54–46%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the November general election, he defeated Democrat Sue Munsey 54–46%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1996, he won re-election to a second term defeating John L. Byron 51–43%.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1998, he won re-election to a third term with 63% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2000, he won re-election to a fourth term with 59% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2002, he won re-election to a fifth term with 63% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2004, he won re-election to a sixth term with 65% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Former presidential candidate Bob Bowman, a Democrat, challenged Weldon in 2006. The incumbent raised significantly more campaign funds than Bowman. By the end of September, Weldon's total was $673,321 versus $21,944 for Bowman.<ref>Larry Wheeler, "GOP leading Space Coast race for cash: Weldon, Feeney report finances", Florida Today, October 18, 2006</ref> Weldon also refused to debate Bowman during the campaign.<ref>Amber Smith, "Incumbent Touts His Achievements" Template:Webarchive, The Ledger, October 31, 2006</ref> In the November election, Weldon received 125,596 votes to Bowman's 97,947.<ref>John McCarthy, "Weldon coasts to an easy win", Florida Today, November 8, 2006</ref> Weldon won re-election to a seventh term with 56% of the vote.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On January 25, 2008, Weldon announced he would not seek an eighth term and would be returning to his medical practice, with a spokesperson explaining that "[h]e never wanted to be a career politician."<ref>Mary Ann Akers, "Rep. Weldon To Spend More Time With Family, Really", Washington Post, January 25, 2008</ref> He endorsed state senator Bill Posey to succeed him.

Tenure

In 2004, Weldon introduced the Weldon Amendment<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to an appropriations measure. The amendment prevents healthcare programs receiving federal funding from requiring healthcare entities (including doctors, hospitals, and health insurance plans) to provide, pay for, or refer for abortion services. The amendment has been included in annual appropriations bills since 2005.<ref name=NYTimes11.29.24/><ref name="pmid15626793">Template:Cite journal</ref>

In response to the legal battle over the removal of the feeding tube of Terri Schiavo, Weldon introduced legislation to force review of the case by the federal government. Weldon, who has a medical degree, believed that Schiavo was not in a vegetative state. He supported his belief saying, "She responds to verbal stimuli, she attempts to vocalize, she tracks with her eyes, she emotes, she attempts to kiss her father."<ref>Aimie Parnes, link "Lawmaker races clock in attempt to save Schiavo", Naples News, March 12, 2005</ref>

In December, 2005, Weldon joined with several other congressmen to form the Second Amendments, a rock and country band set to play for United States troops stationed overseas over the holiday season. Weldon plays the bass guitar.<ref>https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051222/ap_en_mu/rockin__congressmen Template:Dead link</ref>

During his tenure in Congress, Weldon promoted the disproven claim that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative once used in some vaccines, was linked to an increase in autism. In 2007, he introduced legislation aimed at transferring vaccine safety oversight from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to an independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).<ref name="SI">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=NYTimes11.29.24/><ref name="Messerly 2024">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Baumgaertner 2024">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He cited concerns about the integrity of the federal vaccine safety review process, stating there were conflicts of interest and inadequate research funding as reasons for introducing the bill. Weldon has publicly questioned the safety of specific vaccines, including the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and Gardasil, a vaccine that protects against certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV).<ref name=NYTimes11.29.24/><ref name="Messerly 2024"/><ref name="Baumgaertner 2024"/>

Weldon was a vocal advocate for medical privacy rights, sponsoring legislation to limit government access to patient health records without consent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
• Committee on Science
• Committee on Education and the Workforce
• Committee on Banking and Currency
• Committee on Government Reform

Caucus memberships

• Republican Study Committee<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• Congressional Aerospace Caucus (Co-founder and chair)
• Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (Co-founder and chair)

2012 U.S. Senate election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Weldon decided to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012 in the hope of facing Democratic incumbent Bill Nelson. His opponent in the Republican primary was U.S. representative Connie Mack IV. Weldon ran as a Christian conservative, and trailed Mack in both funding and name recognition. He lost the Republican primary with 20% of the vote, coming in second behind Mack's 59%. Mack went on to lose the general election to Nelson, 42%-55%.

2024 Florida House of Representatives election

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Weldon ran for Florida's 32nd House of Representatives district in 2024 against state senator Debbie Mayfield, losing the primary 35% to 65%.Template:Citation needed

Post-politics

Weldon has a medical practice at Health First Medical Group in Malabar, Florida.Template:Citation needed

In 2017, he became the president of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, a trade group for Christian organizations that offered an alternative to traditional health insurance.<ref name=NYTimes11.29.24/>

CDC director nomination

On November 22, 2024, Donald Trump nominated Weldon as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who requires Senate confirmation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> According to The Washington Post, Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed Weldon to the position.<ref name=WashPost12.15.24>Template:Cite news</ref> His nomination drew attention for his promotion of the scientifically disproved claim of a causal link between vaccines and autism, his critiques of the CDC and federal health officials, his position that abstinence was the most effective way to curb sexually transmitted infections, and the fact that he lacked training or experience in public health, including running an organization as large as the CDC.<ref name=NYTimes11.29.24>Template:Cite news</ref> Anti-vaccine activists and groups celebrated his nomination.<ref name=Guardian12.22.24>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=WashPost12.15.24/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Trump withdrew his nomination in March 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Views

Weldon has promoted the scientifically disproved claim of a causal link between vaccines and autism.<ref name=NYTimes11.29.24/><ref name=Guardian12.22.24/><ref name=WashPost12.15.24/> In 2016, he appeared in the anti-vaccine movie Vaxxed; the conspiracy moviemaker, discredited doctor, and fraudulent anti-vaccine activist Andrew Wakefield touted Weldon as his ideal choice as the CDC director in Trump's first presidency. In a 2019 appearance on a TV show broadcast by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Weldon falsely claimed "some children can get an autism spectrum disorder from a vaccine". Weldon has called himself a supporter of vaccines and has voiced support of COVID-19 vaccines.<ref name=WashPost12.15.24/>

See also

• 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida

External links

• Congressman Dave Weldon official U.S. House website
• Dave Weldon for Congress official campaign website
• Template:C-SPAN
• Template:CongLinks
• Online Focus: U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon (interview re: stem cell research), Public Broadcasting Service (August 9, 2004)
• Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. testimony before the Institute of Medicine Immunization Safety Review Committee, SafeMinds (January 11, 2001)
• [1] Presidential Nomination to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Congress' official website