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Difference between revisions of "Cal Cunningham"

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|image=James 'Cal' Cunningham (cropped).jpg
 
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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.
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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.
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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>
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==North Carolina Senate==
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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==
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:''For more information, see: [[2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina]]
 
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]
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*[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.
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*[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>
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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>
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===U.S. Army investigation===
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Cunningham admitted in early October 2020 to sending sexual text messages to a woman other than his wife.<ref>Multiple references:
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*[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]
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*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/03/cunningham-sexting-n2577414 NC Sen: Cal Cunningham Admits to Sending Sexual Messages to California Strategist During Campaign]
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*[https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2020/10/03/cal-cunningham-admits-to-sending-sexual-texts-to-strategist Cal Cunningham admits to sending sexual texts to strategist]
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*[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/cal-cunningham-confirms-romantic-texts-with-woman-who-isn-t-his-wife/ar-BB19FISB Cal Cunningham confirms romantic texts with woman who isn't his wife]
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*[https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielcassady/2020/10/03/cal-cunningham-north-carolina-democratic-candidate-for-the-senate-to-stay-in-race-after-sexting-scandal/#55531c2e31b4 Cal Cunningham, North Carolina Democratic Candidate For The Senate, To Stay In Race After Sexting Scandal]
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*[https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/03/democrat-senate-candidate-cal-cunningham-caught-sexting-scandal/ Nolte: Democrat Senate Candidate Cal Cunningham Caught in Sexting Scandal]</ref> This was later confirmed,<ref>Two references:
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*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/06/cunningham-more-mistresses-n2577527 NC Sen: Texts Show Cunningham's Mistress Confirms Adulterous Affair]
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*[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/cal-cunningham-texts-scandal-426971 Cal Cunningham under fire after more texts revealed]</ref> and the Army Reserve announced their investigation into him.<ref>Multiple references:
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*[https://www.wral.com/army-reserve-investigating-cunningham-after-woman-confirms-affair-more-texts-emerge/19323479/ Army Reserve investigating Cunningham after woman confirms affair, more texts emerge]
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*[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]
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*[https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/519991-army-reserve-launches-investigation-into-cunningham Army Reserve launches investigation into Cunningham]
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*[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:
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*[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)'''
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*[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:
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*[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]
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*[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:
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*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/09/more-sextgate-n2577790 Watch: Cunningham Ducks Multiple Questions About Potential For More Extramarital Affairs]
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*[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>
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Cunningham faced claims of a second affair allegation on October 5, 2020 by a former staffer.<ref>Two references:
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*[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]
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*[https://townhall.com/tipsheet/reaganmccarthy/2020/10/05/more-cunningham-mistresses-n2577476 NC Sen: Cunningham Cancels Town Hall After Second Affair Allegation Surfaces]</ref>
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===General election results===
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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:
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*[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]
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*[https://news.yahoo.com/democrat-cal-cunningham-concedes-north-203500755.html Democrat Cal Cunningham concedes North Carolina Senate race]</ref> making Tillis the winner.
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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==
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*[[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]]
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==References==
 
==References==
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{{reflist}}
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{{reflist|2}}
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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*[https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/40999/cal-cunningham Cal Cunningham's Biography | Vote Smart]
 
*[https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/40999/cal-cunningham Cal Cunningham's Biography | Vote Smart]
 
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Cal_Cunningham Cal Cunningham - Ballotpedia]
 
*[https://ballotpedia.org/Cal_Cunningham Cal Cunningham - Ballotpedia]
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{{liberalism}}
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{{Democrat establishment}}
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Cal}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Cal}}
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[[Category:Liberals]]
 
[[Category:Liberals]]
 
[[Category:Progressivism]]
 
[[Category:Progressivism]]
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[[Category:Liberal Hypocrisy]]
 
[[Category:State Senators]]
 
[[Category:State Senators]]
 
[[Category:United States Veterans]]
 
[[Category:United States Veterans]]

Latest revision as of 02:39, November 11, 2020

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.

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

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

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