Difference between revisions of "Cal Cunningham"
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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> | ||
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| + | ==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== | ||
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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 | + | *[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=== | ||
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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: | *[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.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> | + | *[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> | ||
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| + | 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. | ||
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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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[[Category:Liberals]] | [[Category:Liberals]] | ||
[[Category:Progressivism]] | [[Category:Progressivism]] | ||
| + | [[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
| 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 | ||
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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