Representative Lynn A. Westmoreland

Leon Acton “Lynn” Westmoreland Jr. (born April 2, 1950) is an American politician and businessman who served as a Representative from Georgia in the United States Congress from 2005 to 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Georgia’s 8th congressional district from January 3, 2005, to January 3, 2007, and, following redistricting and renumbering, represented Georgia’s 3rd congressional district from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2017. Over six terms in office, Westmoreland participated in the legislative process during a significant period in American history, taking part in the work of the House of Representatives and representing the interests of his constituents.

Westmoreland was born on April 2, 1950, in Atlanta, Georgia, and was raised in the state he would later represent in Congress. He attended local schools and came of age during the social and political changes of the 1950s and 1960s in the American South. Before entering public office, he worked in the private sector, gaining experience in business and real estate, which helped shape his later emphasis on limited government and pro-business policies. His early life and work in Georgia’s growing suburban communities provided him with familiarity with the concerns of small business owners, homeowners, and local civic leaders.

Westmoreland attended Georgia State University in Atlanta, where he studied but did not complete a degree, leaving to focus on work and family responsibilities. His time in the Atlanta area during his young adulthood coincided with the region’s rapid economic expansion, and he became active in local affairs and Republican politics. This involvement laid the groundwork for his eventual entry into elective office and helped him build relationships within the state party organization.

Before his election to Congress, Westmoreland built a political career in the Georgia General Assembly. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives as a Republican and served multiple terms, rising to a leadership role within the caucus. During his tenure in the state legislature, he became known as a strong advocate of conservative principles, including lower taxes, reduced government spending, and opposition to what he viewed as federal overreach. His legislative experience at the state level provided him with a foundation in lawmaking and party leadership that he would later carry to the national stage.

In 2004, Westmoreland ran for an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia’s 8th congressional district. He won a plurality of votes in the Republican primary election and advanced to a runoff against fellow Republican Dylan Glenn. In the runoff, Westmoreland received 55.5 percent of the vote. The district was so heavily Republican that his primary victory was effectively tantamount to election in November. In the general election, he routed his Democratic opponent, businesswoman Silvia Delamar, winning almost 76 percent of the vote. Following redistricting, the district was renumbered as the 3rd district in 2006 and made even more Republican than its predecessor. Westmoreland was reelected five more times from this district with no substantive opposition, reflecting his secure standing among Republican voters in west-central Georgia.

During his six terms in Congress, from 2005 to 2017, Westmoreland served through the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama and participated in debates over national security, federal spending, and social policy. As a member of the House of Representatives, he took part in the democratic process, contributing to legislation and oversight while aligning with the broader Republican agenda in the House. He was associated with the conservative wing of his party and was involved in efforts to restrain federal expenditures and oppose major Democratic legislative initiatives during the Obama administration. His voting record and public statements reflected a focus on states’ rights, traditional values, and a limited role for the federal government.

Westmoreland’s tenure also included engagement with contentious issues related to Southern history and symbolism. In public comments regarding the display of Confederate symbols and the legacy of the Civil War, he stated that, in his view, placing a flag on a grave was “more of a memorial” than an act of racism, and argued that “the majority of people that actually died in the Civil War on the Confederate side did not own slaves. These were people that were fighting for their states. I don’t think they had even any thoughts about slavery.” When asked if he understood Representative John Lewis’s perspective on these matters, Westmoreland responded, “I guess the question is, ‘Does he understand where I’m coming from?’” These remarks drew attention to his views on historical memory and regional identity and placed him at the center of broader national debates over race, history, and public commemoration.

After choosing not to seek reelection in 2016, Westmoreland left Congress at the conclusion of his sixth term on January 3, 2017. In later years, he remained identified with conservative politics in Georgia and nationally, drawing on his experience in both state and federal office. His congressional career, spanning twelve years and two differently numbered districts, reflected the political realignment of Georgia toward the Republican Party and the increasing strength of conservative representation from the state in the U.S. House of Representatives.