Marcy Kaptur
Marcia Carolyn Kaptur (/ˈkæptər/; born June 17, 1946) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 9th congressional district. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district stretches from Kaptur's hometown of Toledo to Cleveland. It includes all of Ottawa and Erie counties, and parts of Lucas, Lorain, and Cuyahoga counties.
Marcy Kaptur | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 9th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 1983 | |
Preceded by | Ed Weber |
Personal details | |
Born | Marcia Carolyn Kaptur June 17, 1946 Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | University of Wisconsin–Madison (BA) University of Michigan (MUP) |
Website | House website |
Currently serving her 19th term in the House of Representatives, Kaptur is currently the dean of Ohio's congressional delegation and the longest-serving woman in the House.[1] In Congress, she is also currently the longest-serving woman in congress and also the second longest-serving woman ever behind Barbara Mikulski.[2] She ranks sixth out of 435 members in seniority and serves on the House Appropriations Committee.[3]
Early life and education
Kaptur was born on June 17, 1946 in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Theresa Annarino and Joseph Kaptur[4][5] Her mother was an automobile union organizer and her family operated a small grocery. Kaptur started volunteering with the Ohio Democratic Party when she was 13.[6]
Kaptur graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1964 and became the first member in her family to attend college.[7][8] She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1968 and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan in 1974.[9] She did doctoral studies in urban planning development finance at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981.[10]
Early career
Kaptur served on the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions from 1969 to 1975. She was director of planning for the National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs (1975–1977) founded by the late Msgr. Geno Baroni. She later served as a domestic policy advisor during President Jimmy Carter's Administration.[11]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
While at MIT, Kaptur was recruited to run for Congress in 1982 against freshman Republican Ed Weber, who had upset 26-year incumbent Lud Ashley two years earlier.[12] Despite being outspent by almost 3-1, she defeated Weber 58%-39%.[13][14]
In 1984, Kaptur faced a strong challenge from Republican Frank Venner, longtime anchorman and weatherman at WTVG, but defeated him 55%-44%,[15] even as Ronald Reagan carried the district. The district reverted to form, and from 1986 to 2002, she won every election with at least 74% of the vote. In 2004, she faced her strongest challenger in 20 years in Lucas County auditor Larry Kaczala. However, Kaptur dispatched him fairly easily, winning by 68%-32%.
- 2006
Kaptur won her 13th term with 74% of the vote.[16]
- 2008
Kaptur won her 14th term with 74% of the vote.[17]
- 2010
Shortly after achieving fame during the 2008 election, conservative figure Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher announced that he was considering challenging Kaptur in the 2010 election.[18][19][20] However, he chose not to run. Kaptur was instead challenged by Republican Rich Iott, a Tea Party movement favorite. Kaptur won re-election to her 15th term with 59% of the vote,[21] which was her closest election since 1984.
- 2012
For her first three decades in Congress, Kaptur represented a compact district centered around Toledo. Redistricting after the 2010 census extended the 9th District all the way to western Cleveland. The new map put the home of incumbent 10th District congressman Dennis Kucinich into the 9th as well, so they ran against each other in the Democratic primary. Graham Veysey, a small-business owner from Cleveland, also ran in the primary. Kaptur won the primary with 56% of the vote, while Kucinich received 40%.[22][23] In the general election, she won a 16th term against Republican Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher and Libertarian Sean Stipe.[24] However, the reconfigured 9th was no less Democratic than its predecessor, and Kaptur had effectively clinched reelection by defeating Kucinich in the primary.
- 2014
Kaptur's 2014 opponent was Richard May, a longtime Republican activist from west Cleveland, who beat Lakewood resident Robert C. Horrocks, Jr. in the May 6 primary.[25] Kaptur won 68%-32%.
- 2016
Kaptur's 2016 opponent was Donald Larson, who defeated Steven Kraus and Joel Lieske in the Republican primary on March 15. Kaptur won 68%-31%.
Tenure
Kaptur is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. She was once named "Most Valuable Member" of the House by The Nation. In 1996, Kaptur was asked by Ross Perot to be his vice-presidential running mate. She eventually declined.[26]
Patent reform
Kaptur was a dedicated opponent of the America Invents Act that passed into law and changed the U.S. Patent System. Kaptur opposed changing from a "first to invent system" to a "first to file system," claiming it hurt small businesses.[27] Kaptur stated "Our patent system is the finest in the world... the proposed solutions are special fixes that benefit these few giants at the expense of everyone else."[28]
Kaptur is a co-sponsor of The Restoring America’s Leadership in Innovation Act which claims to strengthen inventors' property rights. The bill would remove the administrative review process which allows the public to challenge the validity of patent filings; this process exists to prevent misuse of the patent system.[29]
World War II Memorial
Responding to Roger Durbin, a World War II veteran and constituent, Kaptur first suggested the creation of a National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
On December 10, 1987, Kaptur introduced the World War II Memorial Act to the House of Representatives. The legislation authorized the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a World War II memorial, however, as the bill was not voted on before the end of the session it failed to be enacted into law. Kaptur introduced similar legislation in 1989 and 1991 but these bills also failed to become law.
Kaptur introduced legislation for the fourth time on January 27, 1993. This time the legislation was voted on and passed in the House on May 10, 1993. After a companion bill was passed in the United States Senate, President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law on May 25, 1993. Durbin died before the memorial was built, but Kaptur spoke at the memorial dedication ceremony, along with Durbin's granddaughter, on May 29, 2004.
Kaptur later said that she felt "a great sense of fulfillment" that the memorial was finally built. "This generation was the most unselfish America has ever seen," she said. "They never asked anybody for anything in return."[30]
Abortion
Kaptur holds a 95% approval rating from NARAL. She has stated that she supports Roe v. Wade, calling it "the law of the land" (Washington Journal, 9/17/2015). She has voted in favor of some proposals to restrict access to abortion, while opposing some others. In January 2007, she was the only member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to vote against federally funded embryonic stem-cell research.[31] Kaptur expressed support for the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, an amendment to America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, and voted in favor of it on November 9.[32] Kaptur was one of only sixteen Democrats to vote in favor of the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act on May 4, 2011.[33] Kaptur also voted in favor of banning partial-birth abortions in 2000 and 2003.[34][35] Kaptur voted against the Child Custody Protection Act in 1999 and the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act in 2005.[36][37] Kaptur voted against allowing privately funded abortions at overseas military hospitals twice in 1995, as well as 1997, 1998 and 1999.[38][39][40][41][42] In 2005, Kaptur voted in favor of lifting the ban on abortions at overseas military hospitals.[43]
Free trade
Kaptur is a staunch opponent of free trade agreements. She helped lead opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement, permanent normal trade relations for the People's Republic of China, and fast track authority for the president.
2008 economic crisis
Marcy Kaptur expressed strong opposition to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which provided a bailout for U.S. banks.[44] Addressing Wall Street banks, she said, "You have perpetrated the greatest financial crimes ever on this American Republic."
She also stated that the U.S. "doesn't need to bail you out. It needs to secure real assets and property. Federal regional reserve banks should have a new job to help renegotiate . American people should get equity in any companies. Major job creation to rebuild our infrastructure. Regulate, we need a modern Glass–Steagall Act. Refinancing must return a major share of profits to a new Social Security and Medicare lock box."
Kaptur's opposition to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 was highlighted in Michael Moore's 2009 documentary Capitalism: A Love Story[45]
On April 12, 2011, Kaptur introduced H.R. 1489 to restore the Glass-Steagall Act. It states "To repeal certain provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and revive the separation between commercial banking and the securities business, in the manner provided in the Banking Act of 1933, the so-called "Glass-Steagall Act", and for other purposes." There were 30 co-sponsors. [46]
The environment
Marcy Kaptur backed The American Clean Energy and Security Act in the U.S. House after she was able to insert an amendment that would authorize the Secretary of Energy to create power marketing authorities in regions where none exist. One such area would be the Great Lakes region. Kaptur said the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation could serve as the vehicle for administering up to $3.5 billion in borrowing authority to stimulate economic development through creation of green energy such as solar power and wind power. Kaptur said the $3.5 billion in borrowing authority would promote "regional equity" and serve as a powerful engine for job creation in a region that has suffered from high energy costs, especially expensive electricity.
Agriculture
Marcy Kaptur helped to protect the rights of chicken farmers to speak up about mistreatment and unfair practices. She helped to remove anti-Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (anti-GIPSA) language.[47][48]
2016 presidential election
Kaptur endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, and even introduced him at a rally in Toledo.[49] She did endorse eventual nominee Hillary Clinton, who had won Ohio and her district in the primary season at an October 3, 2016 rally at Toledo's Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza.
Foreign policy
Kaptur has consistently supported military spending bills.
Kaptur called Russian president Vladimir Putin to release imprisoned Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov.[50]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Arts Caucus[51]
- Congressional Ukrainian Caucus (co-chair)
- Congressional Caucus on Poland
- Congressional Caucus on Central and Eastern Europe
- Congressional Caucus on Hungary
- Congressional United Kingdom Caucus[52]
- House Baltic Caucus[53]
- Climate Solutions Caucus[54]
Electoral history
Year | Democratic | Votes | % | Republican | Votes | % | Third Party | Party | Votes | % | Third Party | Party | Votes | % | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1982 | Marcy Kaptur | 95,162 | 58% | Ed Weber | 64,459 | 39% | Susan Skinner | Independent | 1,785 | 1% | James Somers | Independent | 1,594 | 1% | * | ||||
1984 | Marcy Kaptur | 117,985 | 55% | Frank Venner | 93,210 | 43% | Other | 3,714 | 2% | ||||||||||
1986 | Marcy Kaptur | 105,646 | 78% | Mike Shufeldt | 30,643 | 22% | |||||||||||||
1988 | Marcy Kaptur | 157,557 | 81% | Al Hawkins | 36,183 | 19% | * | ||||||||||||
1990 | Marcy Kaptur | 117,681 | 78% | Jerry Lammers | 33,791 | 22% | |||||||||||||
1992 | Marcy Kaptur | 178,879 | 74% | Ken Brown | 53,011 | 22% | Edward Howard | Independent | 11,162 | 5% | * | ||||||||
1994 | Marcy Kaptur | 118,120 | 75% | Randy Whitman | 38,665 | 25% | |||||||||||||
1996 | Marcy Kaptur | 170,617 | 77% | Randy Whitman | 46,040 | 21% | Elizabeth Slotnick | Natural Law | 4,677 | 2% | |||||||||
1998 | Marcy Kaptur | 130,793 | 81% | Ed Emery | 30,312 | 19% | |||||||||||||
2000 | Marcy Kaptur | 168,547 | 75% | Dwight Bryan | 49,446 | 22% | Galen Fries | Libertarian | 4,239 | 2% | Dennis Slotnick | Natural Law | 3,096 | 1% | |||||
2002 | Marcy Kaptur | 132,236 | 74% | Ed Emery | 46,481 | 26% | |||||||||||||
2004 | Marcy Kaptur | 205,149 | 68% | Larry Kaczala | 95,983 | 32% | |||||||||||||
2006 | Marcy Kaptur | 153,880 | 74% | Bradley Leavitt | 55,119 | 26% | |||||||||||||
2008 | Marcy Kaptur | 222,054 | 74% | Bradley Leavitt | 76,512 | 26% | |||||||||||||
2010 | Marcy Kaptur | 121,819 | 59% | Rich Iott | 83,423 | 41% | |||||||||||||
2012 | Marcy Kaptur | 217,771 | 73% | Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher | 68,668 | 23% | Sean Stipe | Libertarian | 11,725 | 4% | |||||||||
2014 | Marcy Kaptur | 108,870 | 68% | Richard May | 51,704 | 32% | * | ||||||||||||
2016 | Marcy Kaptur | 193,966 | 69% | Donald Philip Larson | 88,427 | 31% | * | ||||||||||||
2018 | Marcy Kaptur | 152,682 | 68% | Steve Kraus | 73,183 | 32% |
*In 1982, Libertarian Brian Muir received 1,217 votes less than 1% of the total vote. In 1988, 72 write-in ballots were cast. In 1992, 50 write-in ballots were cast. In 2014, write-in candidates Cory Hoffman and George A. Skalsky received 112 votes and 29 votes, respectively. In 2016, write-in candidate George A. Skalsky received 5 votes.
See also
- Ohio's 9th congressional district
- List of United States Representatives from Ohio
- National World War II Memorial
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
References
- of the house "Marcy Kaptur, Ohio Democrat, Becomes Longest-Serving Woman In The House" Check
|url=
value (help). NPR. 2016-03-30. Retrieved 2018-03-21. - "Sen. Barbara Mikulski's departure will make Rep. Marcy Kaptur longest serving woman in Congress". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- "Marcy Kaptur - House Democratic Caucus | Dems.gov". House Democratic Caucus | Dems.gov. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- "The Online Office of Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur". Kaptur.house.gov. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- Who's Who of Women in World Politics - Google Books. 1991. ISBN 9780862916275. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- Foerstel, Karen (1999). "Marcy Kaptur". Biographical Dictionary of Congressional Women. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 141. ISBN 0-313-30290-1.
- "About Marcy". U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur Representing the 9th District of Ohio. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- "KAPTUR, Marcia Carolyn (Marcy), (1946 - )". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. "Lecture: Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, An Urban Planner in Congress". Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- Schenken, Suzanne O'Dea (1999). "Kaptur, Marcia (Marcy) Carolyn (b. 1946)". From Suffrage to the Senate: An Encyclopedia of American Women in Politics. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. p. 370. ISBN 0-87436-960-6.
- Kouters, Angela (2008). Encyclopedia of Women and American Politics. New York: Facts On File. p. 268. ISBN 978-1-4381-1032-5.
- "Former Congressman Weber backs Ferner for mayor". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2016-01-28.
- "OH District 9 Race". Our Campaigns. November 2, 1982. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur: Biography". Kaptur.house.gov. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "OH District 9 Race". Our Campaigns. November 6, 1984. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "OH - District 09 Race". Our Campaigns. November 7, 2006. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
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- "Now, Joe the Plumber wants to be a Congressman!". Asian News International. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
- "'Joe the Plumber' Considers Run for Congress". Fox News. 2008-10-25. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- Shipman, Tim (2008-10-27). "Joe the Plumber says he may run for Congress". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- "2010 Election: Live Results". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
- "2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Politico. 2016-11-08. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
- "OH District 9 - D Primary Race". Our Campaigns. March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- Noga, Joe (November 7, 2012). "Marcy Kaptur coasts to win in 9th District congressional race". Sun News.
- "Richard May of Cleveland wins GOP primary to oppose Rep. Marcy Kaptur". cleveland.com. 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
- "Ross Reruns". Newsweek. November 18, 1996. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- "Patent Reform". The Hill. June 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- Kaptur, Marcy (June 22, 2009). "Tech giants are aiming to infringe". The Hill. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Bill to End Patent Office Validity Challenges Introduced in House (1) (1)". Retrieved 2018-07-01.
- Janofsky, Michael (May 30, 2004). "Veterans Gather to Dedicate World War II Memorial". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
- "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act". House.gov. January 11, 2007. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Stupak of Michigan Amendment". House.gov. November 7, 2009. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act". House.gov. May 4, 2011. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2000". House.gov. April 5, 2000. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "On Agreeing to the Conference Report". House.gov. October 2, 2003. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Child Custody Protection Act". House.gov. June 30, 1999. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act". House.gov. April 27, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "DeLauro of Connecticut Amendment". House.gov. June 15, 1995. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Dornan of California". House.gov. September 7, 1995. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Harman of California Amendment". House.gov. June 19, 1997. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Lowey of New York Amendment". House.gov. May 20, 1998. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Meek of Florida Amendment". House.gov. June 9, 1999. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- "Davis of California Amendment". House.gov. May 25, 2005. Retrieved 2012-08-30.
- THE LATEST REALITY GAME--WALL STREET BAILOUT House of Representatives - September 22, 2008.
- "Michael Moore's Capitalism Goes for Broke". Time. September 6, 2009.
- "Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2011 (2011; 112th Congress H.R. 1489) - GovTrack.us". Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- "Ag spending bill contains big win to protect rights for chicken farmers after viral John Oliver video brought attention to their plight". Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Retrieved 2016-03-09.
- LastWeekTonight (2015-05-17), Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Chickens (HBO), retrieved 2016-03-09
- Alcindor, Yamiche. "Bernie Sanders Praises Ruling Allowing 17-Year-Olds to Vote in Ohio - First Draft. Political News, Now. - The New York Times". Ohio: Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
- Kaptur statement on Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian filmmaker wrongly imprisoned in Russia // 01.08.2018
- "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
- "Legislative Committee Detail Page". Ciclt.net. Retrieved 2018-03-21.
- "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- "90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members". Citizen´s Climate Lobby. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- "Office of the House Clerk – Electoral Statistics". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on 2007-12-26.
- "Election Results". Federal Election Commission.
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- "2014 Elections Results". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- "2016 Elections Results". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marcy Kaptur. |
- Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur official U.S. House site
- Marcy Kaptur for Congress
- Marcy Kaptur 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
- Appearances on C-SPAN
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Ed Weber |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 9th congressional district 1983–present |
Incumbent |
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by Steny Hoyer |
United States Representatives by seniority 6th |
Succeeded by Pete Visclosky |