Abraham, Spencer (1952– )

US Republican politician, secretary of energy 2001–04. Although a conservative Republican, he voted in the Senate against tighter limits on legal immigration. An advocate of reducing US dependency on foreign oil by developing domestic oil, gas, and other energy sources, as secretary of energy he developed a National Energy Policy which included plans to increase nuclear power supply, research advanced fuel-cell technology, and promote greater energy efficiency.

Born in East Lansing, Michigan, he went to Michigan State University and Harvard Law School. In 1983, he became chair of a weak and debt-ridden Michigan Republican Party and over the next seven years re-established its fortunes. He was deputy chief of staff to vice-president Dan Quayle 1990–91 and co-chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee 1991–93. In 1994, he was the first Republican in 22 years to be elected senator for the traditionally Democrat state of Michigan, but was defeated in his 2000 re-election bid.