Robert Pittenger
Robert Pittenger | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 9th district | |
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Sue Myrick |
Succeeded by | Dan Bishop |
Member of the North Carolina Senate | |
In office January 1, 2003 – May 27, 2008 | |
Preceded by | T. L. "Fountain" Odom (40th, Redistricting) Bob Rucho (39th) |
Succeeded by | Bob Rucho |
Constituency | 40th District (2003-2005) 39th District (2005-2008) |
Personal details | |
Born | Robert Miller Pittenger August 15, 1948 Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Suzanne Bahakel (m. 1978) |
Children | 4 |
Residence(s) | Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
Education | University of Texas, Austin (BA) |
Website | www |
Robert Miller Pittenger (/ˈpɪtəndʒər/; born August 15, 1948) is a businessman and American politician who was the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 9th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. The district included several outer portions of Charlotte as well as many of that city's southern and eastern suburbs. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life, education, and business career
Pittenger was born in Texas and attended the
North Carolina Senate (2003–2007)
Elections
After redistricting, Pittenger decided to run for the 40th senate district of the North Carolina General Assembly in 2002.[1] He defeated Democratic State Senator Fountain Odom 55%–43%.[2] In 2004 he ran for the 39th senate district and defeated Libertarian nominee Andy Grum 89%–11%.[3] In 2006, he won reelection to a third term unopposed.[4]
Tenure
Pittenger represented the state's 39th Senate district, which included portions of southeastern Mecklenburg County. He was a lead sponsor of Right To Life legislation and supported the North Carolina marriage amendment,[5] although he was not in office when the amendment passed out of committee and was finally voted on by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011.
In May 2004, he proposed cutting the state's corporate tax from 6.9% to 4.9% and the income tax rate for the state's top earners from 8.25% to 7.5%.[6] He also proposed over $1.5 billion in spending cuts, with a focus on reducing Medicaid access for persons above the age of Medicare eligibility.[5][dead link]
In February 2005, he proposed a medical malpractice bill that would cap non-economic damages at $250,000 for physicians, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.[7]
Committee assignments
- Appropriations/Base Budget
- Commerce
- Finance
- Insurance and Civil Justice Reform
- Pensions & Retirement and Aging
- Rules and Operation[8][9]
2008 lieutenant gubernatorial bid
Pittenger defeated three other candidates in the Republican primary on May 6, 2008, becoming his party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina with 59% of the vote.[10][11][12] On May 27, 2008, he resigned from the Senate to focus on his campaign.[13] He lost the general election to fellow State Senator, Democrat Walter H. Dalton, 51%–46%.[14]
U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2019)
Elections
- 2012
After
Pittenger won the general election on November 6, defeating Democratic Mecklenburg County Commission Chairwoman
On December 2, 2013, Pittenger introduced the
- 2014
Pittenger considered
- 2016
The 9th was significantly redrawn after a federal court threw out the previous map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. It was pushed well to the east, stretching from southeast Charlotte all the way to Fayetteville and the Sandhills.
Baptist pastor Mark Harris challenged Pittenger in the 2016 Republican congressional primary, losing that contest by 134 votes.[28] Pittenger defeated Christian Cano in the general election.
- 2018
Pittenger faced Mark Harris in a rematch of the 2016 Republican primary. On May 8, 2018, Harris defeated Pittenger[29] with 48.5 percent of the vote to Pittenger's 46.2 percent, although allegations were later raised about illegal activities by the Harris campaign. Pittenger was the first congressional incumbent to lose his primary election in 2018;[28] the second was Mark Sanford.[30]
Harris was the apparent winner in the November 2018 general election, but the result was not certified due to credible allegations of electoral fraud and he was never seated in Congress. As a result, a new special election was called. Pittenger (and also Harris) declined to run in the special election.[31]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Financial Services
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
- Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade
- Republican Study Committee[32]
Caucus memberships
- United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus[33]
- U.S.-Japan Caucus[34]
Political positions
The American Conservative Union gave him a lifetime Congressional evaluation of 90%.
Environment
Pittenger rejects the scientific consensus on climate change.[35][36][37] In 2006, he sent a book called The Skeptical Environmentalist, published in 1998, to his colleagues in the North Carolina Senate.
Health care
Pittenger supported the
National defense
Pittenger voted for the two-year budget plan that became law on February 9, 2018, citing the lack of options to increase military spending to provide for required training and maintenance.[41]
Controversies
Conflict of interest
Pittenger has been accused of using his position as a state senator to benefit himself in a series of land deals.[42]
Racist remarks
On September 22, 2016, in the wake of protests over the
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger | 29,999 | 32.4 | |
Republican | Jim Pendergraph | 23,401 | 25.3 | |
Republican | Edwin B. Peacock III | 11,336 | 12.3 | |
Republican | Ric Killian | 9,691 | 10.5 | |
Republican | Dan Barry | 5,515 | 6.0 | |
Republican | Andy Dulin | 4,526 | 4.9 | |
Republican | Mike Steinberg | 2,297 | 2.5 | |
Republican | Jon Gauthier | 2,056 | 2.2 | |
Republican | Ken Leonczyk | 2,047 | 2.2 | |
Republican | Richard Lynch | 1,000 | 1.1 | |
Republican | Michael Shaffer (withdrew) | 579 | 0.6 | |
Total votes | 92,447 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger | 18,982 | 52.9 | |
Republican | Jim Pendergraph | 16,902 | 47.1 | |
Total votes | 35,884 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger | 194,537 | 51.8 | |
Democratic | Jennifer Roberts | 171,503 | 45.6 | |
Libertarian | Curtis Campbell | 9,650 | 2.6 | |
Total votes | 375,690 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 29,505 | 67.6 | |
Republican | Michael Steinberg | 14,146 | 32.4 | |
Total votes | 43,651 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 163,080 | 93.9 | |
n/a
|
Write-ins | 8,219 | 4.7 | |
Independent
|
Shawn Eckles (write-in) | 2,369 | 1.4 | |
Total votes | 173,668 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 9,299 | 35.0 | |
Republican | Mark Harris | 9,165 | 34.4 | |
Republican | Todd Johnson | 8,142 | 30.6 | |
Total votes | 26,606 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 193,452 | 58.2 | |
Democratic | Christian Cano | 139,041 | 41.8 | |
Total votes | 332,493 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Harris | 17,302 | 48.5 | |
Republican | Robert Pittenger (incumbent) | 16,474 | 46.2 | |
Republican | Clarence Goins | 1,867 | 5.2 | |
Total votes | 35,643 | 100.0 |
Personal life
Pittenger lives in South Charlotte. He is married to Suzanne Pittenger. He has four children.[48]
References
- ^ "Biography". Office of Congressman Robert Pittenger. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
- ^ "NC State Senate 40 Race - Nov 05, 2002". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "NC State Senate 39 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 39 Race - Nov 07, 2006".
- ^ a b "About Robert Pittenger". robertpittenger.com (campaign site). Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "House Supports Business Incentives, Legislators Give Preliminary OK to $20 Million for N.C. Fund". Charlotte Observer. May 21, 2004. p. B1 Metro. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "Medical malpractice bill introduced in General Assembly". Triad Business Journal. February 2, 2005. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "Microsoft Word - 2005 Senate Committees by Member.doc" (PDF). Ncleg.net. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Microsoft Word - 2003 Senate Committees by Member.doc" (PDF). Ncleg.net. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC Lt. Governor- R Primary Race - May 06, 2008".
- ^ "Charlotte candidate announces run". Under The Dome (blog). Charlotte News & Observer. January 10, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "And the winners are..." Under The Dome (blog). Charlotte News & Observer. May 7, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "Pittenger resigns from Senate". Under The Dome (blog). Charlotte News & Observer. May 27, 2008. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "NC Lt. Governor Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Robert Pittenger preparing to enter congressional race | newsobserver.com projects". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC District 09- R Primary Race - May 08, 2012".
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC District 09 - R Runoff Race - Jul 17, 2012".
- ^ Morrill, Jim; Funk, Tim (July 18, 2012). "Pittenger wins bitter race in 9th, will face Roberts". Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina: The McClatchy Company: Page 1. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NC District 09 Race - Nov 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "Election Results : North Carolina State Board of Elections". Results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ^ "H.R. 3627 – All Actions". United States Congress. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
- ^ "CBO – H.R. 3627". Congressional Budget Office. December 9, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
- ^ "President signs Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act into law". WBTV. May 20, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
- ^ Mimms, Sarah (February 13, 2013). "N.C. Labor Commissioner Considering Run Against Hagan". National Journal. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
- ^ NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list
- ^ Campaign to Elect Shawn Eckles
- ^ "State Board of Elections: CERTIFIED UNAFFILIATED AND WRITE-IN CANDIDATES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ a b Weigel, David (May 8, 2018). "North Carolina GOP congressman loses primary, first House incumbent ousted". Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- Charlotte Observer, Jim Morrill, May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "Trump critic Mark Sanford falls in South Carolina GOP primary". CNN. June 24, 2018.
- ^ "The Latest: Pittenger doesn't plan to run again for old seat". The News & Observer. Associated Press. February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ "On Climate, Pittenger Turns Contrarian, State Senator Disputes Global Warming Claims". Charlotte Observer. May 14, 2006. p. B1 Metro. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "We Aren't Changing Climate, Let's Avoid Snap Judgements and Wishful Thinking on Warming Trend". Charlotte Observer. February 5, 2006. p. 24A. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ "Green Moves Could Create New Jobs". digtriad.com. WFMY-TV. October 24, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
- ^ a b Kilgore, Ed (May 2, 2017). "GOP Congressman Says Sick People Who Lose Affordable Health Coverage Should Just Move". New York. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Morrill, Jim (May 2, 2017). "NC congressman says where you live could determine how much health coverage you get". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Ollstein, Alice (May 2, 2017). "House GOPer: Move To Another State If You Have A Pre-Existing Condition". Talking Points Memo. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^ Clark, Lesley; Murphy, Brian. (9 February 2018). "When will it stop? Conservatives who vowed to cut spending keep spending." McClatchyDC website Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- ^ "Questions linger on Robert Pittenger land deals". WFAE.org. August 24, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "Pittenger apologizes for saying Charlotte protesters 'hate white people'". Newsobserver.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
- ^ a b "Federal Elections 2012". Utah Government Digital Library (pdf). Federal Election Commission. July 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^ "North Carolina General Elections Results 2012". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
- ^ "US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 09 - REP (VOTE FOR 1)". NC State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ "Member List". Roll Call. Retrieved March 28, 2022.