Ann Kirkpatrick
Ann Leila Kirkpatrick (born March 24, 1950)[1][2] is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative from Arizona's 2nd congressional district since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Arizona's 1st congressional district from 2009 to 2011 and again from 2013 to 2017. She is also a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives (2005–2007).
Ann Kirkpatrick | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Martha McSally |
Constituency | 2nd district |
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Paul Gosar |
Succeeded by | Tom O'Halleran |
Constituency | 1st district |
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | |
Preceded by | Rick Renzi |
Succeeded by | Paul Gosar |
Constituency | 1st district |
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 2nd district | |
In office January 10, 2005 – July 24, 2007 | |
Preceded by | Sylvia Laughter |
Succeeded by | Christopher Deschene |
Personal details | |
Born | Ann Leila Kirkpatrick March 24, 1950 McNary, Arizona, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Roger Curley |
Education | University of Arizona (BA, JD) |
Website | House website |
Kirkpatrick was defeated in the 2010 midterm election but regained her old seat in a close race in 2012.[3] She retained her seat by winning in 2014. Kirkpatrick lost her U.S. Senate bid to incumbent Republican John McCain in the 2016 election. She was the Democratic nominee for Arizona's 2nd congressional district in the 2018 election, a race that she won by more than 9 points.
Early life and early political career
Kirkpatrick was born and raised on an Apache Indian reservation near McNary, Arizona.[4] Her parents are European Americans who lived and worked on the reservation. Her mother was a teacher, and her father was a general store owner.[5] When Kirkpatrick was in second grade, her family moved off the reservation to Pinetop-Lakeside.[5] Her maternal uncle, William Bourdon, was elected as a member of the State House.[6]
Kirkpatrick graduated from Blue Ridge High School as the valedictorian.[5] In 1972, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona, where she majored in Asian studies and learned to speak Mandarin Chinese.[5] After a brief experience as a teacher, Kirkpatrick decided to go to law school.[5] In 1979, she earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law.[7]
In 1980, she was elected as Coconino County's first woman deputy county attorney. Kirkpatrick later served as city attorney for Sedona, Arizona. She was a member of the Flagstaff Water Commission. In 2004, she taught Business Law and Ethics at Coconino Community College."[8]
Arizona House of Representatives
In 2004, Kirkpatrick was elected to represent the 2nd Legislative District and took office in January 2005. Kirkpatrick was elected to a second term in the state House in 2006. While serving in the legislature, Kirkpatrick served as the ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as the Education K-12 Committee and Natural Resources Committee.[8]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
- 2008
On July 24, 2007, Kirkpatrick resigned from the state House to run for the Democratic nomination in Arizona's 1st Congressional District. The seat was due to come open after three-term Republican incumbent Rick Renzi announced that he would not seek re-election in the face of a federal indictment on corruption charges, for which he eventually went to prison. Kirkpatrick won a four-way primary by almost 15 points on September 2, 2008.
Kirkpatrick faced Republican Sydney Ann Hay, a mining industry lobbyist, in the general election, garnering 56 percent of the vote.[9]
- 2010
Kirkpatrick was defeated for reelection in the off-year by Republican nominee Paul Gosar, with 49.7% of the vote versus Kirkpatrick's 43.7%. She was endorsed by The Arizona Republic.[10]
- 2012
Kirkpatrick announced she would run again for her old congressional seat in 2012.[11] Redistricting made the district significantly more Democratic than its predecessor; Democrats now have a nine-point registration advantage. Kirkpatrick was initially priming for a rematch against Gosar, but Gosar opted to run for reelection in the newly created, heavily Republican 4th District.[12] Kirkpatrick narrowly won the general election on November 6, 2012, defeating Republican Jonathan Paton, a former state Senator.[3] Kirkpatrick won the seat with less than 50% of the vote, as a Libertarian Party candidate took more than 6%.[13]
- 2014
Kirkpatrick won re-election to the U.S. House in 2014 with 52.6% of the vote, gaining several points. She faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.[14] According to a Washington Post article in December 2012, Kirkpatrick was one of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents in 2014.[15] Kirkpatrick is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program. The program is designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents heading into the 2014 election.[16]
- 2018
Kirkpatrick ran for the seat in Arizona's 2nd congressional district to replace outgoing Republican Martha McSally, who retired to run for U.S. Senate. Kirkpatrick won the election.[17]
Tenure
Legislation
On March 14, 2014, Kirkpatrick cosponsored the Gulf War Health Research Reform Act of 2014 (H.R. 4261; 113th Congress), a bill that would alter the relationship between the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses (RAC) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The bill would make the RAC an independent organization within the VA, require that a majority of the RAC's members be appointed by Congress instead of the VA, and state that the RAC can release its reports without needing prior approval from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[18][19] The RAC is responsible for investigating Gulf War syndrome, a chronic multi-symptom disorder affecting returning military veterans and civilian workers of the Gulf War.[18][20]
She voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly referred to as the stimulus.[21][22]
She sponsored bill H.R. 4720, the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act, to lower the salaries of congressional members. The bill stalled in committee.[23]
Kirkpatrick voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010.[24][25] In May 2013, she voted against repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[26]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Appropriations (2019–present)
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (2013–2017)
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs (2009-2011; 2013–2017)
- Committee on Homeland Security (2009-2011)
- Committee on Small Business (2009-2011)
2016 U.S. Senate campaign
On May 26, 2015, Kirkpatrick announced her candidacy for the United States Senate seat in Arizona held by Republican John McCain.[27] She lost to McCain, 53.7% to 40.7%.
Political positions
Abortion
Kirkpatrick characterizes herself as pro-choice.[28] She has been endorsed by EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood and the National Women's Political Caucus. As a member of the Arizona state legislature, Kirkpatrick voted against a bill that would have required notarized parental consent for a minor to receive an abortion.[29] She voted against a bill to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[30]
Climate change
In 2009, as a member of the US House of Representatives, she voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act HR 2454 (Waxman-Markey).[31] In 2015, she voted in favor of HR 2042, which blocked implementation of President Obama's signature climate change policy, the Clean Power Plan.[32][33]
Gun policy
Prior to the 2011 Tucson shooting, Kirkpatrick was described as "an ardent gun rights supporter".[34] She voted "to allow guns in national parks and against the reinstatement of a ban on the sale of semi-automatic weapons."[35]
In 2012, her campaign website stated that Kirkpatrick "pledge[d] to oppose any attempt by the federal government to undermine the Second Amendment and infringe on our constitutional right to bear arms." She stated that the shooting in Tucson caused her to rethink her support of gun rights and that "everything is on the table" as a potential solution to the issue of gun violence.[34][36]
After the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Arizona Daily Sun wrote that "Kirkpatrick's position on some firearms laws appears to be changing in light of the mid-December school shooting in Connecticut, her new stance is unclear."[35]
In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Kirkpatrick participated in a sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House demanding action by Congress to address gun violence.[37] She also stated that "we must also look beyond this terrible moment and decide what we as a nation are willing to do to prevent hatred, gun violence and domestic terrorism," and mentioned "sensible solutions...that both respect the 2nd Amendment and keep our communities safer."[38]
In 2019, Kirkpatrick voted for HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks of 2019.[39] In 2020, Kirkpatrick introduced HR 5559 The January 8th National Memorial Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a national memorial in Tucson honoring those who were killed on January 8, 2011 when Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was shot. [40]
Health care
Ann Kirkpatrick voted for the Affordable Care Act.[41] She has maintained that her vote for the ACA was "her proudest vote" in Congress.[42] Kirkpatrick also voted against numerous attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and to defund Planned Parenthood.[43][44] She is one of 106 cosponsors of Pramila Jayapal's Medicare for All bill.[45]
Immigration
Kirkpatrick has called for "national, comprehensive reform" of United States immigration policy. She supports increased border patrol funding, installation of a ground-based radar system often referred to as a "smart fence", and a temporary-worker program, and temporary protections for some of those living illegally in the United States.[46]
Kirkpatrick says she supports the DREAM Act but failed to vote for the DREAM Act, in 2010.[28][47]
Kirkpatrick has stated that she would have voted against Arizona's controversial immigration measure Arizona SB 1070.[48]
In March 2014, Kirkpatrick signed a discharge petition intended to force House leaders to bring immigration reform up for a vote on the House floor.[49]
Privacy
Kirkpatrick voted for CISPA, which would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[50]
Same-sex marriage
Kirkpatrick supports same-sex marriage.[51]
Electoral history
2004
Arizona House of Representatives 2nd District Democratic Primary Election, 2004 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
Democratic | Albert Tom | 8,552 | 39.34% | |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 7,165 | 32.96% | |
Democratic | Beverly Becenti-Pigman | 6,023 | 27.70% | |
Turnout | 21,740 |
Arizona House of Representatives 2nd District Election, 2004 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 28,947 | 38.72% | |
Democratic | Albert Tom | 24,664 | 32.99% | |
Independent | Sylvia Laughter | 21,150 | 28.29% | |
Turnout | 74,761 |
2006
Arizona House of Representatives 2nd District Election, 2006 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick (inc.) | 26,787 | 45.48% | |
Democratic | Albert Tom (inc.) | 22,863 | 38.82% | |
Republican | Preston Korn | 9,247 | 15.70% | |
Turnout | 58,897 |
2008
Arizona's 1st Congressional District House Democratic Primary Election, 2008 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 26,734 | 47.24% | |
Democratic | Mary Kim Titla | 18,428 | 32.56% | |
Democratic | Howard Shanker | 8,056 | 14.23% | |
Democratic | Jeffrey Brown | 3,376 | 5.97% | |
Turnout | 56,594 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 155,791 | 55.88% | ||
Republican | Sydney Hay | 109,924 | 39.43% | ||
Independent | Brent Maupin | 9,394 | 3.37% | ||
Libertarian | Thane Eichenauer | 3,678 | 1.32% | ||
Turnout | 278,787 |
2010
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Paul Gosar | 112,816 | 49.72% | +10.29% | |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 99,233 | 43.73% | -12.15% | |
Libertarian | Nicole Patti | 14,869 | 6.55% | +5.23% | |
Turnout | 226,918 | ||||
Republican gain from Democratic | Swing | 5.99% | |||
2012
Arizona's 1st congressional district Democratic primary election, 2012 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 33,831 | 63.74% | |
Democratic | Wenona Benally Baldenegro | 19,247 | 36.26% | |
Turnout | 53,078 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 122,774 | 48.79% | +0.91% | |
Republican | Jonathan Paton | 113,594 | 45.14% | -4.56% | |
Libertarian | Kim Allen | 15,227 | 6.05% | -0.45% | |
Turnout | 251,595 | ||||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | 3.65% | |||
2014
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 97,391 | 52.61% | +3.82% | |
Republican | Andy Tobin | 87,723 | 47.39% | +2.25% | |
Turnout | 185,114 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing | 5.22% |
2016
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John McCain (Incumbent) | 1,359,267 | 53.74% | -5.33% | |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 1,031,245 | 40.77% | +5.99% | |
Green | Gary Swing | 138,634 | 5.48% | +4.03% | |
Plurality | 328,022 | 12.97% | |||
Total votes | 2,529,146 | 100.00% | |||
Turnout | 3,588,466 | 74.17% | ? | ||
Republican hold | Swing |
2018
Arizona's 2nd congressional district Democratic primary election, 2018[55] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 33,938 | 41.9% |
Democratic | Matt Heinz | 23,992 | 29.6% |
Democratic | Maria "Mary" Matiella | 7,606 | 9.4% |
Democratic | Bruce Wheeler | 6,814 | 8.4% |
Democratic | Billy Kovacs | 5,350 | 6.7% |
Democratic | Barbara Sherry | 2,074 | 2.6% |
Democratic | Yahya Yuksel | 1,319 | 1.6% |
Turnout | 81,093 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ann Kirkpatrick | 161,000 | 55% | +12% | |
Republican | Lea Marquez Peterson | 133,083 | 45% | -12% | |
Turnout | 294,152 | 100% | +12% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican | Swing | 12% | |||
Personal life
Kirkpatrick is married to Roger Curley and has two children.[5]
On January 15, 2020, Kirkpatrick announced that she was initiating treatment for alcoholism after being injured in a fall.[56] She returned to work on February 26, 2020.[57]
References
- "Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick". Congressional Bill Tracker. Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
- "KIRKPATRICK, ANN LEILA - Candidate overview". FEC.gov.
- Hendley, Matthew. "Ann Kirkpatrick Called Winner in CD-1; Kyrsten Sinema and Martha McSally Sit on Leads". blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com. Phoenix New Times, LLC. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- "Can Navajo Nation help rescue endangered Dem Congresswoman?". ABC News. October 8, 2010.
- Wasser, Miriam (June 22, 2016). "Ann Kirkpatrick Is on the Hunt For John McCain — Well, His U.S. Senate Seat, At Least". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- Sangillo, Gregg (November 1, 2012). "Arizona, 1st House District". National Journal. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- "Ann Kirkpatrick: A Lifetime of Service and Results". Kirkpatrick for Arizona. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- "Ann Kirkpatrick Member Page". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- "Arizona". New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- "Kirkpatrick's the right fit for rural district". Arizona Republic. October 3, 2010.
- Catanese, David; Isenstadt, Alex (March 31, 2011). "Dems eye GOP rematches for 2012". Politico. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- Wilson, Reid (January 7, 2012). "Gosar Will Switch Districts". National Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
- Fitzpatrick, Jack (August 26, 2014). "GOP Establishment Makes Late Primary Play in Arizona House Battleground". National Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- "Your Vote 2014". Arizona Public Media. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- Blake, Aaron (December 7, 2012). "House Democrats face long odds in 2014". Washington Post. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- Bland, Scott (November 15, 2013). "Most Vulnerable House Democrats Side With GOP on 'Obamacare' Vote". National Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- "Ann Kirkpatrick wins Democratic primary for US House seat being vacated by Arizona Rep. Martha McSally". Washington Post. Associated Press. August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- Coffman, Mike (March 14, 2014). "Bipartisan Bill on Gulf War Health Research". House Office of Mike Coffman. Archived from the original on March 21, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- Kennedy, Kelly (March 14, 2014). "Congress seeks independence for Gulf War illness board". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- "Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Illnesses Associated with Gulf War Service". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. n.d. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml
- Beard, Sterling (February 25, 2013). "Dem Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick returns for second stint on Capitol Hill". The Hill. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- Parkinson, John R. (September 17, 2010). "Congressional Pay Cut? Arizona Democrat Suggests One to Nancy Pelosi". ABC News.
- http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll887.xml
- Olka. "Updating The Health Care Whip Count - Hotline On Call". Hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
- "Obamacare and Vulnerable Democrats". The Wall Street Journal. May 20, 2013.
- Lavender, Paige (May 26, 2015). "Ann Kirkpatrick Announces 2016 Senate Run". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- "Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for Congress, ANN KIRKPATRICK". AZcentral.com. 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
- "HB 2666 - Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions - Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- "How Ann Kirkpatrick voted on key votes". Washington Post. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- "The Hill: Dem Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick returns for second stint on Capitol Hill". February 25, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- "Measure to block EPA Clean Power Plan passes House". Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ""FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 384" from House of Representatives Clerk, 2015-06-24".
- Morales, Laurel (December 31, 2012). "Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback". NPR.
- Cole, Cyndy (January 10, 2013). "Kirkpatrick pivots on guns". Arizona Daily Sun.
- Flora, Chris (December 26, 2012). "Kirkpatrick looks at economy, gun laws and fiscal cliff". The Explorer.
- Theobald, Bill (June 22, 2016). "Arizona representatives join U.S. House sit-in demanding gun vote". AZ Central.
- Berkowitz, Bonnie; Cai, Weiyi; Lu, Denise; Gamio, Lazaro. "Everything lawmakers said (and didn't say) after the Orlando mass shooting". Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
- Thompson, Mike (March 4, 2019). "Text - H.R.8 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019". www.congress.gov.
- Kirkpatrick, Ann (January 15, 2020). "Text - H.R.5559 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): January 8th National Memorial Act". www.congress.gov.
- "H R 3590, Vote #165". Office of the Clerk. U.S. House of Representatives. March 21, 2010.
- "Ann Kirkpatrick Interview, Part 2". AM 780 KAZM. October 10, 2011.
- "H R 596, Vote #58". Office of the Clerk. U.S. House of Representatives. October 16, 2015.
- "H.R.3762". Congress.gov. October 16, 2015.
- Jayapal, Pramila (February 27, 2019). "Cosponsors - H.R.1384 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): To establish an improved Medicare for All national health insurance program". www.congress.gov. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- Benson, Matthew (October 24, 2008). "Immigration, Energy Hot Topics in District 1 Debate". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
- "About: Ann Kirkpatrick". Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- Ogden, Whitney (March 26, 2014). "House Democrats will try to force vote on immigration reform". Cronkite News. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
- Squash, Hubbard (April 21, 2013). "Democrats and "Progressives" who voted for CISPA. Let's hold them accountable!". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
- "Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for Congress, ANN KIRKPATRICK". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
Like many Arizonans over the past few years, I have come to support marriage equality.
- "STATE OF ARIZONA OFFICIAL CANVASS" (PDF). azsos.gov. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- "STATE OF ARIZONA OFFICIAL CANVASS" (PDF). azsos.gov. December 1, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
- "2016 General Election November 8, 2016 Unofficial Results". azsos.gov. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- "2018 Primary Election" (PDF). State of Arizona State Canvass. August 28, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- Olson, Tyler, "Arizona Rep. Kirkpatrick seeks treatment for alcoholism after fall", Fox News, 15 January 2020
- Conover, Christopher, "Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick returns to House after alcohol treatment", "Arizona Public Media" 27 February 2020
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ann Kirkpatrick. |
- Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick official U.S. House site
- Campaign website
- Ann Kirkpatrick at Curlie
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Ann Kirkpatrick at Ballotpedia
Arizona House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Sylvia Laughter |
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 2nd district 2005–2007 |
Succeeded by Christopher Deschene |
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
Preceded by Rick Renzi |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st congressional district 2009–2011 |
Succeeded by Paul Gosar |
Preceded by Paul Gosar |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 1st congressional district 2013–2017 |
Succeeded by Tom O'Halleran |
Preceded by Martha McSally |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona's 2nd congressional district 2019–present |
Incumbent |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Rodney Glassman |
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Arizona (Class 3) 2016 |
Succeeded by Mark Kelly |
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by Donald Norcross |
United States Representatives by seniority 242nd |
Succeeded by Ed Case |