John E. Sweeney (born August 9, 1955) is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of New York, currently representing the state's 20th Congressional district (map) in the United States House of Representatives. Sweeney was born in Troy, New York and he graduated from The Sage Colleges in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice and his J.D. from Western New England College School of Law in 1991. Sweeney was the New York State Commissioner of Labor under Governor George Pataki from 1995 to 1997, and served as Executive Director & Chief Counsel of the New York Republican Party from 1992 to 1995.
Sweeney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998 while living outside the district in the Albany area. However, he did relocate to the district shortly after he won. During the 2000 election, Sweeney helped to stop the recount in Miami, probably leading to his nickname from President Bush, "Congressman Kickass."
Sweeney has three children from his first marriage. He lives in Clifton Park, New York with his second wife.
