Cal Cunningham

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Cal Cunningham
James 'Cal' Cunningham (cropped).jpg
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

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

References

  1. Cal Cunningham Touted ‘Merits’ of Communism as Student Leader
  2. Cheatin’ Cal Cunningham Voted to Prevent Jilted Wives From Suing Their Husbands’ Mistresses
  3. Two references:
  4. Democrat Cal Cunningham enters US Senate race, and draws fire from both sides
  5. NC Democrat Cal Cunningham set to face Tillis in November
  6. 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."
  7. Cal Cunningham’s Radical Immigration Agenda Was On Full Display In Interview With WFAE
  8. Cal Cunningham’s Family Business Was a Top Polluter in North Carolina
  9. Conservative group files complaint vs. NC Senate candidate, outside group
  10. Multiple references:
  11. Two references:
  12. Multiple references:
  13. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/10/07/army-investigating-senate-candidate-cal-cunningham-following-reports-affair/5912314002/
  14. Democrat Cal Cunningham Now Blames Thom Tillis for His Affair Scandal
  15. Two references:
  16. Two references:
  17. Two references:
  18. Cunningham’s Mistress Donated to Campaign Around Time of Sexual Encounter
  19. Two references:
  20. Two references:
  21. Cunningham Fails to Continue Proud Tradition of Successful Dem Philanderers

External links