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Cunningham had reportedly once touted the "merits" of [[communism]] as a student leader.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cal-cunningham-communist/ Cal Cunningham Touted ‘Merits’ of Communism as Student Leader]</ref>
Cunningham had reportedly once touted the "merits" of [[communism]] as a student leader.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cal-cunningham-communist/ Cal Cunningham Touted ‘Merits’ of Communism as Student Leader]</ref>
==North Carolina Senate==
As a state senator, Cunningham once voted to prevent wives of husbands who committed affairs from suing the mistresses.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cal-cunningham-cheating-cheater/ Cheatin’ Cal Cunningham Voted to Prevent Jilted Wives From Suing Their Husbands’ Mistresses]</ref>
==2020 candidacy for U.S. Senate==
==2020 candidacy for U.S. Senate==
Despite having initially been running for [[Lieutenant Governor]] of [[North Carolina]],<ref>Two references:
Despite having initially been running for [[Lieutenant Governor]] of [[North Carolina]],<ref>Two references:
*[https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/politics/2019/06/17/democrat-cal-cunningham-enters-race-for-u-s--senate Democrat Cal Cunningham Announces Bid for U.S. Senate]
*[https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triangle-sandhills/politics/2019/06/17/democrat-cal-cunningham-enters-race-for-u-s--senate Democrat Cal Cunningham Announces Bid for U.S. Senate]
*[https://www.governing.com/topics/politics/tns-cal-cunningham-switches-races-2020.html Dropping Lt. Governor Bid, North Carolina Democrat Launches U.S. Senate Run]</ref> Cunningham switched courses in mid-June 2019 and announced his run for [[U.S. Senate]].<ref>[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article231638158.html Democrat Cal Cunningham enters US Senate race, and draws fire from both sides]</ref> He later won the [[Democrat]] primary held on March 3, 2020,<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/485798-cunningham-set-to-challenge-tillis-after-winning-nc-senate-primary NC Democrat Cal Cunningham set to face Tillis in November]</ref> and is expected to face incumbent Sen. Tillis in the general election.
*[https://www.governing.com/topics/politics/tns-cal-cunningham-switches-races-2020.html Dropping Lt. Governor Bid, North Carolina Democrat Launches U.S. Senate Run]</ref> Cunningham switched courses in mid-June 2019 and announced his run for [[U.S. Senate]].<ref>[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article231638158.html Democrat Cal Cunningham enters US Senate race, and draws fire from both sides]</ref> He later won the [[Democrat]] primary held on March 3, 2020,<ref>[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/485798-cunningham-set-to-challenge-tillis-after-winning-nc-senate-primary NC Democrat Cal Cunningham set to face Tillis in November]</ref> and faced incumbent Sen. Tillis in the general election.
Cunningham has claimed that he hasn't accepted money from corporate [[PAC]]s 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.<ref>[https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/nov/21/cal-cunningham/cunningham-claim-about-corporate-money-misleading/ 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."]</ref>
Cunningham has claimed that he hasn't accepted money from corporate [[PAC]]s 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.<ref>[https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2019/nov/21/cal-cunningham/cunningham-claim-about-corporate-money-misleading/ 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."]</ref>
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.<ref>[https://www.thomtillis.com/cal-cunninghams-radical-immigration-agenda-was-on-full-display-in-interview-with-wfae/ Cal Cunningham’s Radical Immigration Agenda Was On Full Display In Interview With WFAE]</ref>
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.<ref>[https://www.thomtillis.com/cal-cunninghams-radical-immigration-agenda-was-on-full-display-in-interview-with-wfae/ Cal Cunningham’s Radical Immigration Agenda Was On Full Display In Interview With WFAE]</ref>
Despite campaigning as a champion of the environment, Cunningham's family business has been marked as being among [[North Carolina]]'s top polluters.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cal-cunninghams-family-business-was-a-top-polluter-in-north-carolina/ Cal Cunningham’s Family Business Was a Top Polluter in North Carolina]</ref>
===Coordination controversy===
===Coordination controversy===
A [[conservative]] watchdog group has filed a complaint against Cunningham in January 2020 on the basis that he has coordinated and [[collude]]d with a dark money group in violation of [[FEC]] regulations.<ref>[https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article239350518.html Conservative group files complaint vs. NC Senate candidate, outside group]</ref>
A [[conservative]] watchdog group has filed a complaint against Cunningham in January 2020 on the basis that he has coordinated and [[collude]]d with a dark money group in violation of [[FEC]] regulations.<ref>[https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article239350518.html Conservative group files complaint vs. NC Senate candidate, outside group]</ref>
===Other===
===U.S. Army investigation===
Cunningham admitted in early October 2020 to sending sexual text messages to a woman other than his wife.<ref>Multiple references:
Cunningham admitted in early October 2020 to sending sexual text messages to a woman other than his wife.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/10/03/cal-cunningham-admits-to-sending-sexts-to-woman-who-is-not-his-wife/ Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexts to woman who is not his wife]
*[https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/10/03/cal-cunningham-admits-to-sending-sexts-to-woman-who-is-not-his-wife/ Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexts to woman who is not his wife]
*[https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/10/07/army-reserve-investigating-senate-candidate-lt-col-cunningham-over-affair/ Army Reserve investigating Senate candidate Lt. Col. Cunningham over affair]
*[https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/10/07/army-reserve-investigating-senate-candidate-lt-col-cunningham-over-affair/ Army Reserve investigating Senate candidate Lt. Col. Cunningham over affair]
*[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/519991-army-reserve-launches-investigation-into-cunningham Army Reserve launches investigation into Cunningham]
*[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/519991-army-reserve-launches-investigation-into-cunningham Army Reserve launches investigation into Cunningham]
*[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article246280130.html Army Reserve investigating Cunningham ‘matters’ after woman confirms affair, texts]</ref> After facing immense criticism, Cunningham partly responded ''by blaming Tillis''.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/07/democrat-cal-cunningham-now-blames-thom-tillis-for-his-affair-scandal/ Democrat Cal Cunningham Now Blames Thom Tillis for His Affair Scandal]</ref>
*[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article246280130.html Army Reserve investigating Cunningham ‘matters’ after woman confirms affair, texts]</ref> [[Adultery]] is [[illegal]] in the U.S. Army.<ref>https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/10/07/army-investigating-senate-candidate-cal-cunningham-following-reports-affair/5912314002/</ref> After facing immense criticism, Cunningham partly responded ''by blaming Tillis''.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/07/democrat-cal-cunningham-now-blames-thom-tillis-for-his-affair-scandal/ Democrat Cal Cunningham Now Blames Thom Tillis for His Affair Scandal]</ref> Later text messages showed that Cunningham mocked his mistress' husband for having suicidal tendencies following the surfacing of the affair,<ref>Two references:
*[https://nationalfile.com/cal-cunningham-mocked-his-mistress-veteran-husbands-suicide-threats/ Cal Cunningham Mocked His Mistress’ Veteran Husband’s Suicide Threats] '''(Warning: Text messages within article contain foul language)'''
*[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/07/report-cal-cunningham-mockss-mistress-veteran-husbands-suicidal-thoughts/] '''(Warning: Text messages within article contain foul language)'''</ref> who in turn called for the former to drop out of the Senate race.<ref>Two references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/husband-cal-cunningham-mistress-north-carolina-senate-race Husband of Cal Cunningham's mistress calls on North Carolina Senate hopeful to drop out: Report]
*[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/08/combat-veteran-husband-of-cal-cunninghams-mistress-calls-for-north-carolina-senate-hopeful-to-drop-out/ Combat Veteran Husband of Cal Cunningham’s Mistress Calls for North Carolina Senate Hopeful to Drop Out]</ref> The disgraced Senate candidate dodged multiple questions asked about the affair at a press conference.<ref>Two references:
*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/09/more-sextgate-n2577790 Watch: Cunningham Ducks Multiple Questions About Potential For More Extramarital Affairs]
*[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/09/meltdown-democrat-cal-cunningham-dodges-four-separate-times-when-asked-there-more-mistresses/ Meltdown: Democrat Cal Cunningham Dodges Four Separate Times When Asked if There Are More Mistresses]</ref> His mistress had apparently donated to his campaign.<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cunninghams-mistress-donated-to-campaign-around-time-of-sexual-encounter/ Cunningham’s Mistress Donated to Campaign Around Time of Sexual Encounter]</ref>
Cunningham faced claims of a second affair allegation on October 5, 2020 by a former staffer.<ref>Two references:
*[https://nationalfile.com/former-cal-cunningham-staffer-accuses-him-of-having-a-second-affair/ Former Cal Cunningham Staffer Accuses Him of Having A SECOND AFFAIR]
*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/05/more-cunningham-mistresses-n2577476 NC Sen: Cunningham Cancels Town Hall After Second Affair Allegation Surfaces]</ref>
===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,<ref>Two references:
*[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cunningham-concedes-to-u-s-sen-tillis-in-north-carolina Democrat Cal Cunningham concedes to U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina]
*[https://news.yahoo.com/democrat-cal-cunningham-concedes-north-203500755.html Democrat Cal Cunningham concedes North Carolina Senate race]</ref> making Tillis the winner.
The [[Washington Free Beacon]] noted Cunningham's defeat as having failed to continue the "proud tradition of successful Dem philanderers".<ref>[https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/cunningham-sex-creep-fail/ Cunningham Fails to Continue Proud Tradition of Successful Dem Philanderers]</ref>
==See also==
==See also==
*[[John Edwards]], disgraced former senator
*[[Mark Kelly]], running for [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Arizona]]
*[[Mark Kelly]], running for [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Arizona]]
*[[Amy McGrath]], running for [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Kentucky]]
*[[Amy McGrath]], running for [[U.S. Senate]] from [[Kentucky]]
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Cal_Cunningham Cal Cunningham - Ballotpedia]
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Cal_Cunningham Cal Cunningham - Ballotpedia]
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