Ken Kramer

Kenneth Bentley Kramer (born February 19, 1942) is an American lawyer, politician, and jurist from Colorado. He is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives.

For the stand-up comedian and Seinfeld character inspiration, see Kenny Kramer.

Ken Kramer
Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
In office October 6, 2000 – September 14, 2004
Preceded by	Frank Q. Nebeker
Succeeded by	William P. Greene Jr.
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
In office 1989 – September 14, 2004
Appointed by	George H. W. Bush
Succeeded by	William A. Moorman
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller)
In office October 14, 1988 – 1989
Preceded by	Michael P. W. Stone
Succeeded by	Douglas A. Brook
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 5th district
In office January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	William L. Armstrong
Succeeded by	Joel Hefley
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 18th district
In office January 2, 1974 – January 3, 1979
Preceded by	William J. Hybl
Succeeded by	Frank H. Randall
Personal details
Born	Kenneth Bentley Kramer (1942-02-19) February 19, 1942 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (BA) Harvard University (JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1967–1970
Rank	Captain

Born in 1942, in Chicago, Kramer grew up in the city's suburb of Skokie, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois, and after earning his degree, entered Harvard University, from which he received his Juris Doctor. In 1966, he was admitted to the bar, and by 1970, he had risen to the position of assistant district attorney for the state's Fourth Judicial District.

In 1972, Kramer was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives and served for three terms until 1978. That year, he was elected to represent the state's 5th congressional district, filling the vacancy left by U.S. Senator-elect William Armstrong. Kramer held the seat for eight years. In 1986, he retired to run for the United States Senate, but lost the election to Democrat Tim Wirth. Kramer returned to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be an attorney in private practice.[1]

Since retiring, Kramer has held several positions. President Ronald Reagan nominated Kramer to be Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) on June 10, 1988; the United States Senate confirmed Kramer by unanimous consent on October 14, 1988.[1][2] He was nominated by President George H.W. Bush and appointed as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 1989. He was chief judge of the court from 2000 until he retired in 2004.[3][4]