The Life and Times of John Boehner

Politics
After graduation, Boehner took a sales job at a small plastics company and worked his way up to president and part owner, a self-made millionaire. It was his experience with business that pushed him into the GOP — he felt overregulated and overtaxed — and into politics, first as head of his homeowners' association, then a township trustee, then a state representative and finally a Congressman in 1990, when this photo was taken. It shows the candidate celebrating on election night with his brother and parents.

• 2011 TIME 100: John Boehner