Cal Cunningham
| Cal Cunningham | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former State Senator from North Carolina's 23rd District From: January 24, 2001 – January 29, 2003 | |||
| Predecessor | Jim Phillips, Sr. | ||
| Successor | Eleanor Kinaird | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Democrat | ||
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Cunningham | ||
| Religion | Presbyterian | ||
| Military Service | |||
| Allegiance | United States | ||
| Service/branch | United States Army | ||
| Service Years | 2002 – present | ||
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel | ||
| Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan | ||
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal | ||
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James Calvin “Cal” Cunningham III (born August 6, 1973) is a lawyer, veteran, and liberal Democrat currently running for United States Senate in North Carolina in 2020 to unseat establishment RINO senator Thom Tillis. He was previously a state senator from North Carolina's 23rd district from 2001 to 2003.
Cunningham had reportedly once touted the "merits" of communism as a student leader.[1]
North Carolina Senate
As a state senator, Cunningham once voted to prevent wives of husbands who committed affairs from suing the mistresses.[2]
2020 candidacy for U.S. Senate
- For more information, see: 2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina
Despite having initially been running for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina,[3] Cunningham switched courses in mid-June 2019 and announced his run for U.S. Senate.[4] He later won the Democrat primary held on March 3, 2020,[5] and faced incumbent Sen. Tillis in the general election.
Cunningham has claimed that he hasn't accepted money from corporate PACs and special interests, although even the liberal-leaning PolitiFact has rated this "mostly false", as he has accepted money indirectly through corporate PACs in addition to labor PAC special interest groups.[6]
In an interview, Cunningham refused to voice opposition to dangerous sanctuary city policies despite having been arguably tougher on immigration in 2010 when unsuccessfully running for U.S. Senate then.[7]
Despite campaigning as a champion of the environment, Cunningham's family business has been marked as being among North Carolina's top polluters.[8]
Coordination controversy
A conservative watchdog group has filed a complaint against Cunningham in January 2020 on the basis that he has coordinated and colluded with a dark money group in violation of FEC regulations.[9]
U.S. Army investigation
Cunningham admitted in early October 2020 to sending sexual text messages to a woman other than his wife.[10] This was later confirmed,[11] and the Army Reserve announced their investigation into him.[12] Adultery is illegal in the U.S. Army.[13] After facing immense criticism, Cunningham partly responded by blaming Tillis.[14] Later text messages showed that Cunningham mocked his mistress' husband for having suicidal tendencies following the surfacing of the affair,[15] who in turn called for the former to drop out of the Senate race.[16] The disgraced Senate candidate dodged multiple questions asked about the affair at a press conference.[17] His mistress had apparently donated to his campaign.[18]
Cunningham faced claims of a second affair allegation on October 5, 2020 by a former staffer.[19]
General election results
Cunningham consistently trailed Tillis by a narrow margin as more votes were reported on Election Night, with the media refusing to call the race for days. However, Cunningham conceded the election on November 10, 2020,[20] making Tillis the winner.
The Washington Free Beacon noted Cunningham's defeat as having failed to continue the "proud tradition of successful Dem philanderers".[21]
See also
- John Edwards, disgraced former senator
- Mark Kelly, running for U.S. Senate from Arizona
- Amy McGrath, running for U.S. Senate from Kentucky
- Sara Gideon, running for U.S. Senate from Maine
References
- ↑ Cal Cunningham Touted ‘Merits’ of Communism as Student Leader
- ↑ Cheatin’ Cal Cunningham Voted to Prevent Jilted Wives From Suing Their Husbands’ Mistresses
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Democrat Cal Cunningham enters US Senate race, and draws fire from both sides
- ↑ NC Democrat Cal Cunningham set to face Tillis in November
- ↑ Cal Cunningham stated on July 31, 2019 in a tweet: Says his campaign hasn’t accepted corporate PAC money and isn’t funded by "special interests."
- ↑ Cal Cunningham’s Radical Immigration Agenda Was On Full Display In Interview With WFAE
- ↑ Cal Cunningham’s Family Business Was a Top Polluter in North Carolina
- ↑ Conservative group files complaint vs. NC Senate candidate, outside group
- ↑ Multiple references:
- Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexts to woman who is not his wife
- NC Sen: Cal Cunningham Admits to Sending Sexual Messages to California Strategist During Campaign
- Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexual texts to strategist
- Cal Cunningham confirms romantic texts with woman who isn't his wife
- Cal Cunningham, North Carolina Democratic Candidate For The Senate, To Stay In Race After Sexting Scandal
- Nolte: Democrat Senate Candidate Cal Cunningham Caught in Sexting Scandal
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Multiple references:
- ↑ https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/10/07/army-investigating-senate-candidate-cal-cunningham-following-reports-affair/5912314002/
- ↑ Democrat Cal Cunningham Now Blames Thom Tillis for His Affair Scandal
- ↑ Two references:
- Cal Cunningham Mocked His Mistress’ Veteran Husband’s Suicide Threats (Warning: Text messages within article contain foul language)
- [1] (Warning: Text messages within article contain foul language)
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Cunningham’s Mistress Donated to Campaign Around Time of Sexual Encounter
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Cunningham Fails to Continue Proud Tradition of Successful Dem Philanderers
External links
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