Rush Dew Holt Jr. (born October 15, 1948) is an American scientist and politician who served as the U.S. representative for New Jersey's 12th congressional district from 1999 to 2015.

The title of his doctoral dissertation was "Calcium absorption lines and solar activity: a systematic program of observations.

"[1] Holt was a faculty member at Swarthmore College from 1980 to 1988 where he taught physics, public policy, and religion courses.

From 1987 until 1989, Holt headed the Nuclear and Scientific Division of the Office of Strategic Forces at the U.S. Department of State.

Holt first ran for Congress in 1996 in New Jersey's 12th congressional district after incumbent Republican congressman Dick Zimmer decided to run for the U.S. Senate.

On June 4, 1996, Holt lost the Democratic party primary, receiving 24% of the vote and finishing last of the three candidates.

Holt's prior win was thought by Republicans to be a fluke, and the race attracted considerable money and advertising.

[20] He won re-election to a fifth term, defeating former Helmetta, New Jersey Council President Joseph Sinagra, 66% to 34%.

[21][22] He won re-election to a sixth term, defeating Holmdel, New Jersey Deputy Mayor Alan Bateman, 63% to 35%.

All of the Republican-leaning portions of Hunterdon County and Monmouth County were taken out of the 12th district while the Democratic-leaning towns of Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Middlesex, Dunellen, Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Manville, East Windsor Township, and Hightstown were added to the 12th district.

[29] Holt's supporters produced green bumper stickers reading "My Congressman IS a rocket scientist!

[30] Holt is one of two members of Congress to have participated on the American television game show Jeopardy!, the other being Senator John McCain of Arizona.

match against the IBM computer Watson along with four other members of Congress (Jim Himes, Nan Hayworth, Jared Polis and Bill Cassidy).

[37][38][39] As a Congressman, Holt maintained liberal viewpoints on several major issues, and consistently voted accordingly.

Several of his legislative priorities included tax credits for small businesses, increasing access to a college education for middle-class families, maintaining Medicare and Social Security, and preserving the environment.

He received a grade of 100% on the progressive Drum Major Institute's 2005 and 2007 Congressional Scorecards on middle-class issues, and he was consistently scored well by that organization.

[42][43] As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Holt supported legislation to clean up the environment and cap greenhouse gas emissions, and he promoted the development and use of alternative energy sources.

On June 26, 2009, Holt voted for the Energy and Environmental Law Amendments ("Cap and Trade") Bill (H.R.

When it comes to global warming, for instance, Representative Holt says we don't need people in Congress who understand atmospheric pressure, or glaciation.

We've lost that idea ... a lot of ordinary Americans feel they not only can't comprehend evidence but that it has little relevance for them and has no place in their lives.

He helped write the College Cost Reduction Act - the largest college aid expansion bill since the GI bill - which drastically reduced student loan interest rates and included Holt's provision to provide upfront tuition assistance for math, science, and foreign language teachers.

[51] He also helped establish the "American Opportunity" tax credit to alleviate the burden of college tuition for low- and moderate-income students.

Furthermore, Holt helped enact the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which provides states with funding to reduce budget shortfalls and keep teachers in their classrooms.

5116), a bill passed in the House that provided funding for science and technology research and development purposes.

[54] On his website, Holt stated, "Since coming to Congress, I have fought for fairness in health care coverage, worked to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, supported equal pay for equal work, and sought gender equity in schools.

"[55] While a Congressman, he strongly believed in women's right to make decisions about their health care, without interference by the government, and supported Roe v. Wade.

Planned Parenthood and the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association consistently issued an approval rating of 100 percent for Holt beginning in 1995, while the NARAL Pro-Choice America rated Holt 100 percent beginning in 1999.

[56] On June 6, 2013, Holt became the first Democrat to become a candidate in the special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the death of Frank Lautenberg.