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Ken Cuccinelli

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Ken Cuccinelli
Attorney General of Virginia
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 16, 2010
Preceded byBill Mims
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 37th district
In office
August 2002 – January 12, 2010
Preceded byWarren Barry
Succeeded byDavid W. Marsden
Personal details
Born (1968-07-30) July 30, 1968 (age 56)
Edison, New Jersey
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAlice Monteiro 'Teiro' Cuccinelli
ResidenceFairfax County, Virginia
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
George Mason University
George Mason University School of Law
ProfessionLitigation & Business Attorney
Websitewww.cuccinelli.com

Kenneth T. 'Ken' Cuccinelli II (born July 30, 1968) is a U.S. politician and the Attorney General of Virginia.[1] From 2002 until January 16, 2010 he was a Republican member of the Senate of Virginia, representing the 37th district in Fairfax County.[2] [3] He was the 2009 Republican candidate for Attorney General,[4] won the election in November 2009[5] against Democrat Steve Shannon, and took office as Virginia's Attorney General in January 2010.

Personal life; career outside politics

Cuccinelli was born in Edison, New Jersey. He graduated from Gonzaga College High School in 1986, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia, a J.D. degree from George Mason University School of Law, and an M.A. in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University.[6]

Cuccinelli has served on a number of state commissions, including:[7]

  • Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Project
  • Public / Private Partnership Advisory Commission
  • Commission on the Prevention of Human Trafficking
  • Joint Subcommittee to Study Liability Protections for Health Care Providers
  • Virginia Supreme Court Commission on Mental Health in the Justice System

Political career

While a 4th year student during the 1989-1990 academic year at the University of Virginia, Cuccinelli served on the University's Judiciary Committee.

Cuccinelli was elected to the Senate in an August 2002 special election after his predecessor, Republican Warren Barry, resigned to take a seat on the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.[8] Cuccinelli was reelected in 2003 and 2007, with the latter race being close enough to require a recount. Cuccinelli would go on to win by a margin of 98 votes out of about 37,000 cast.[9]

In the Senate Cuccinelli sat on the Courts of Justice, Local Government, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Transportation Committees.[2] During his time in the Senate Cuccinelli took conservative positions on issues including abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, taxes, government spending, property rights, and the second amendment, while advocating on behalf of law enforcement and increased care for the mentally disabled.[10]

Abortion

Cuccinelli is pro-life, endorsed by the Republican National Coalition for Life. [11] In November 2008 he was named the Family Foundation “Legislator of the Year.”[12] Cuccinelli has sponsored a number of bills to discourage abortions, including requiring doctors to anesthetize fetuses, [13] altering the licensing and regulation of abortion clinics, [14] requiring that a doctor save the fetal tissue when performing an abortion on a woman under age 15 for forensic use. [15]

Gay rights

In 2004, Cuccinelli stated "homosexuality is wrong"[16] and during his 2009 campaign for attorney general opposed a nondiscrimination policy against gays and lesbians and stated about homosexual acts: "I happen to think that it represents (to put it politely; I need my thesaurus to be polite) behavior that is not healthy to an individual and in aggregate is not healthy to society."[17] More directly, Cuccinelli said that “homosexual acts are wrong” and that “in a natural law based country it’s appropriate to have policies that reflect that.” [18]

Immigration

During his Senate career, Cuccinelli introduced bills to amend the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to revoke citizenship rights for children of undocumented immigrants who are born in the U.S., [19] to allow businesses to sue others that hire undocumented immigrants, [20] and to establish inability to speak English in the workplace as cause for disqualification to receive unemployment benefits. [21]

Gun rights

Cuccinelli’s support of the Second Amendment brought him an endorsement by the NRA.[22] He has sponsored legislation to repeal the prohibition on carrying a concealed handgun in a restaurant or club, [23] for Virginia to recognize concealed handgun permits from other states, [24] to shield concealed handgun permit application data from Freedom of Information Act requests, [25] and to prevent disqualification for a handgun permit based on a sworn, written statement from a law enforcement official that the applicant is likely to use a weapon unlawfully to endanger others. Under Cuccinelli’s proposal a person could only be disqualified for such a permit by a court ruling based on the applicant’s past actions. [26] In the 2009 legislative session, Cuccinelli introduced and won passage of bill that, for the purposes of granting a Virginia concealed handgun permit, requires the state to accept as proof of "handgun competence" any certificate from an online handgun safety course featuring an NRA-certified instructor. [27] One effect of the bill is that it allows someone who has never touched a handgun before to obtain a concealed carry permit.

Taxes

Cuccinelli is an anti-tax conservative. He helped lead an unsuccessful campaign to stop Mark Warner’s 2004 budget.[28] In 2006 Cuccinelli sent out a fundraising letter that criticized the Virginia Senate’s Republican majority for passing a gas tax. The letter elicited rebuke from fellow Republican Tommy Norment. [29]

Eminent domain

In the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Legislative Sessions, Cuccinelli worked to pass eminent domain laws that now prevent local and state governments from taking private homes and businesses for developers’ projects.[citation needed]

Law enforcement

In 2005 Cuccinelli helped pass legislation that provided law enforcement officers are entitled to overtime pay from local governments for hours worked while on vacation or any other form of leave.[30].

Sex education

In 2005 Cuccinelli claimed a George Mason University event which explored issues of safe sex, date rape and sexual health was “designed to push sex and sexual libertine behavior as far, fast and furiously as possible” and promote “every type of sexual promiscuity you can imagine.” [31]

2009 Attorney General Election

On May 30th, 2009 delegates at a state convention, rather than voters in a primary, selected Cuccinelli over two other candidates to become the Republican nominee for Attorney General. [32] In the November 2009 general election, Cuccinelli obtained 58% of the vote (1,123,816 votes) to Steve Shannon's 42% (828,221 votes).

Endorsements

In addition to the NRA and Republican National Coalition for Life, Cuccinelli was endorsed by Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Fred Thompson, Morton Blackwell, William A. Zimmerman, Virginia Citizens Defense League PAC, Virginia Shooting Sports Association, Eagle Forum PAC, Congressman Rob Wittman, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia, the Lincoln, Douglass & Washington Society, the National Federation of Independent Business, the Virginia Farm Bureau, and the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police. [11]

Cuccinelli received editorial board endorsements from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, [33] The Daily Progress, [34] and Culpeper Star-Exponent. [35] The Daily Progress based their endorsement on Cuccinelli’s “mature, considered, and well-balanced approach,” while the Star-Exponent gave a “slight edge to Cuccinelli for his proactive solutions, legal expertise, fighting disposition and strong conservative moorings.”

However, many of the papers who chose not to endorse Cuccinelli were extremely critical of his right-wing views, particularly his refusal to commit to a non-discrimination policy. According to the Virginian Pilot, “Cuccinelli’s election would bring embarrassment to Virginia, instability to the state’s law firm and untold harm to the long list of people who don’t fit his personal definition of morality.” [18] The Washington Post echoed a similar sentiment, writing, “given his bizarre ideas, he would very likely become an embarrassment for the commonwealth” in an editorial titled "Mr. Cuccinelli's Bigotry" [36]

Attorney General of Virginia

On November 5, 2009 Cuccinelli announced the members and goals of his transition team. Co-Chairing the transition will be Richard Cullen, Pat McSweeney, Andy Miller, and Bernie McNamee. Cullen is former Attorney General of Virginia, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and now Chairman of the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP. McSweeney leads the law firm of McSweeney, Crump, Childress and Temple; he has served as Chairman, Republican Party of Virginia; Executive Director of Commission on State Governmental Management; and Acting Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice. Miller is former Attorney General of Virginia and is now with the law firm of Hunton & Williams. McNamee will serve as the transition's executive director. He has served three previous Attorneys General, as Chief Deputy to Attorney General Judy Jagdmann, Chief Counsel to Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, Deputy Attorney General to Randolph Beales. Bernie is currently a partner at McGuireWoods.[37]

Two weeks after taking office, Cuccinelli drew cricitism for continuing to represent a private client in a court proceeding.[38]

On February 16, 2010, Cuccinelli filed at the United States Environmental Protection Agency a request to reopen its proceeding regarding EPA's finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. He also sought judicial review of EPA's finding in federal court. As a result, Virginia joins Alabama and Texas as the only states seeking to attack the EPA's actions. His press statement explained, "We cannot allow unelected bureaucrats with political agendas to use falsified data to regulate American industry and drive our economy into the ground.”[39]

On March 4, 2010, Cuccinelli sent a letter [40] to public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth stating that, in his opinion as Attorney General, Virginia law and public policy prohibit such schools from including sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in any non-discrimination policy. The letter was condemned by former Republican member of the House of Delegates Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. Callahan, who currently sits on the Board of Visitors for George Mason University, said Cuccinelli's statement was "reprehensible". [41]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Virginia Attorney General Website". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b "Senator Ken Cuccinelli, II; Republican - District 37". Senate of Virginia. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  3. ^ "Virginia Attorney General Biography". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Schapiro, Jeff (2009-05-30). "Va. GOP ticket: McDonnell, Bolling, Cuccinelli". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  5. ^ Virginia State Board of Elections Election Information > Election Results > 2009 > November General Election
  6. ^ "Virginia Attorney General Biography". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "Cuccinelli.com". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  8. ^ "Barry Quits Senate for Liquor Board Post; Va. Legislator Cites Financial, Health-Care Needs". Washington Post. 2002-06-05. p. B.1.
  9. ^ "November 6, 2007 General Election results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  10. ^ "Cuccinelli.com".
  11. ^ a b "Ken Cuccinelli, List of Endorsements". Retrieved 2009-08-27. Cite error: The named reference "endorsements" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Cuccinelli named Family Foundation Legislator of the Year". Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  13. ^ "SB 371, Abortion; procedure if performed after first trimester". 2004-01-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  14. ^ "SB 839: Abortion clinics; regulation and licensure". 2005-01-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "SB 315. Abortion; preservation of fetal tissue when performed on child under age 15". 2006-01-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Ginsberg, Steven (June 29, 2003). "In Wake of Sodomy Ruling, Va. Lawmakers Predict Bills on Both Sides". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 17, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Steve Shannon for attorney general". The Virginian-Pilot. October 26, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ a b Virginian Pilot (2009-010-26), "Steve Shannon for attorney general", Virginian Pilot, retrieved 2009-10-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ "SJ 131 Birthright citizenship; memorializing Congress to amend Fourteenth Amendment of U.S. Constitution". 2008-01-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  20. ^ "SB 629 Illegal aliens; employment thereof, cause of action". 2006-01-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  21. ^ "SB 339 Unemployment compensation; employee's inability to speak English at workplace is misconduct". 2008-01-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  22. ^ "NRA Endorsement Letter to Ken Cuccinelli" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-08-27.
  23. ^ "SB 579 Concealed weapons; abolishes prohib. on carrying in a rest. or club, excep. when alcohol consumed". 2005-01-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  24. ^ "SB 771 Concealed handgun permits". 2003-01-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  25. ^ "SB 332 Concealed handgun permits; access to personal information of permittees". 2008-01-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "SB 1266 Concealed weapons permit; disqualifies person using negligently or unlawfully to endanger others". 2005-01-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |citedate= ignored (help)
  27. ^ {{cite web | title = SB 1528 Concealed handgun permits; completion of firearms training, etc., may be done electronically| url = http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=091&typ=bil&val=SB1528
  28. ^ "Ken Cuccinelli, Fighting Taxes & Supporting Businesses". Retrieved 2009-08-27. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  29. ^ Lessig, Hugh (2006-05-20), "Writings frame bigger General Assembly rift: Two fellow Republicans cause Sen. Norment, R-James City, to say chamber civility is eroding", Daily Press, retrieved 2009-08-27
  30. ^ Heinatz, Stephanie. “Bill grants officers overtime pay for hours worked while on vacation.” Virginian-Pilot. 23 Feb. 2005: B5
  31. ^ Gowen, Annie (2005-05-22), "Lawmaker Decries GMU Health Fair, 'Moral Depravity'", Washington Post, retrieved 2009-08-27
  32. ^ Abruzzese, Sarah (2006-05-20), "Cuccinelli nominated by Virginia GOP for attorney general", Washington Times, retrieved 2009-08-23
  33. ^ Editorial (2009-010-28), "Election 2009: Down Ticket", Richmond Times-Dispatch, retrieved 2009-010-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ Editorial (2009-010-25), "Cuccinelli has mature view", Daily Progress, retrieved 2009-10-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  35. ^ Staff Editorial (2009-010-23), "Endorsement: Cuccinelli for att. general", Star-Exponent, retrieved 2009-10-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  36. ^ Washington Post (2009-010-30), "Mr. Cuccinelli's Bigotry", Washington Post, retrieved 2009-10-30 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ http://roanokeconservativedaily.blogspot.com/2009/11/attorney-general-elect-ken-cuccinelli.html
  38. ^ Jackman, Tom (Feb. 1, 2010). "Lawyers question Va. attorney general's role in private case". Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-03-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "Cuccinelli Petitions EPA and Files for Judicial Review" (Press release). 2010-02-17. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  40. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/Cuccinelli.pdf
  41. ^ >Helderman, Rosalind (Mar. 5, 2010). "Cuccinelli asks colleges to rescind policies protecting gay state employees". Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-03-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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