Joel Hefley (born April 18, 1935), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1987, representing the 5th Congressional District of Colorado (map). His wife, Lynn, is currently a member of the Colorado State House of Representatives. He was born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and was educated at the Oklahoma State University. He worked as a management consultant, executive director of the Colorado Community Planning and Research Council, executive director of the Pikes Peak Health Planning, and a member of the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado Senate before entering the U.S. House of Representatives.
He served as chairman of the House Ethics Committee until 2005; he had angered Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert by repeatedly admonishing Majority Leader Tom DeLay, fueling allegations of corruption that had already damaged DeLay. The admonishing letters came during the heat of the contested 2004 elections. He is a supporter of President George W. Bush's Guest-Worker Program for Mexican Immigrants.
On February 16, 2006, Hefley ended speculation as to whether he would seek re-election in 2006, instead retiring after 10 terms in Congress. He will retire as the longest-serving member of the current Colorado Congressional Delegation.
