Neal Dunn

Neal Patrick Dunn (born February 16, 1953) is an American surgeon and politician of the Republican Party serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 2nd congressional district since 2017.

Neal Dunn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byGwen Graham
Personal details
Born (1953-02-16) February 16, 1953
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Leah Dunn
(
m. 1987)
Children3
EducationWashington and Lee University (BS)
George Washington University (MD)
WebsiteHouse website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
RankMajor

Early life and career

Dunn was born in New Haven, Connecticut on February 16, 1953.[1][2] He studied Interdisciplinary Sciences at Washington and Lee University where he received his bachelor of science. He then graduated from the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and completed his medical internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He served in the United States Army for eleven years of active duty service, reaching the rank of Major.[3] He then settled in Panama City, Florida, where he helped found the Panama City Urological Center, the Panama City Surgery Center, and was the founding chairman of Summit Bank.[4]

U.S. House of Representatives

In August 2015, Dunn announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives for Florida's 2nd congressional district in the 2016 elections. The district's one-term incumbent, Democrat Gwen Graham, opted to retire after a court-ordered redistricting made the district heavily Republican.[4][5][6] He won the Republican Party nomination, defeating attorneys Lathika (Mary) Thomas and Ken Sukhia.[7] He defeated Walter Dartland in the general election.[8] He was sworn into the House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.[9]

Brian Schubert, Neal Dunn's chief of staff resigned in February 2018 following the House Ethics Committee having launched an investigation "into alleged sexual harassment by him and his former boss", Patrick Meehan.[10]

Dunn has held multiple virtual town hall meetings since the coronavirus pandemic began in March of 2020. The congressman has told media outlets in the past that he doesn't believe town halls are a productive format for engaging constituents.[11] Constituents have voiced frustration with Dunn for his refusal to host town halls.[12]

In 2018, Dunn won reelection against challenger Bob Rackleff by a vote of 67.5% to 32.5%, respectively.[13]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Gun policy

Dunn received an "AQ" rating from the NRA during his 2016 run for office — the highest rating possible for a non-incumbent.[15] Dunn does not support a ban of semi-automatic weapons.[16] From 2015–2016, Dunn accepted US$1,000 from the NRA's Political Victory Fund.[17]

Net Neutrality

Dunn, along with 107 Republican members of Congress, sent Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai a letter on December 13, 2017 supporting his plan to repeal Net Neutrality protections ahead of the commission's vote.[18] Dunn also accepted $18,500 from the telecom industry before voting to repeal the rule.[19]

Tax reform

Dunn voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[20] He describes the bill as "good medicine for America".[21] Dunn believes that the bill will benefit many generations of Americans with a "great economy in which there will be jobs, there will be opportunity, there's possibilities for literally a whole new generation or two of Americans". Dunn says he has received support from "mostly small businessman" from his district on his support of the bill.[22]

Education

Dunn wants to defund the Department of Education.[23]

Healthcare

Dunn supports repealing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which he says is "failing". He says "no one can afford" the premiums and deductibles.[24]

Personal life

Dunn and his wife, Leah, have three sons and three grandsons.[6] On April 9, 2020, Dunn's office announced that he tested positive for COVID-19.[25]

References
  1. DUNN, Neal Patrick, (1953 - )
  2. "Guide to the New Congress" (PDF). Roll Call. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. McMullian, Bo (January 14, 2016). "Jackson County Times - "Conservative for Congress" Neal Dunn visits Marianna". Jackson County Times. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  4. Burlew, Jeff (August 10, 2015). "Panama City surgeon Dunn announces run for Congress". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  5. Garman, Valerie (August 7, 2015). "Neal Dunn announces candidacy for Congress". Panama City News Herald. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  6. Bennett, Lanetra. "Neal Dunn Announces Candidacy for Florida Congressional District 2". WCTV-TV. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  7. "Dunn wins GOP CD2, Democratic race too close to call". Tallahassee Democrat. August 30, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  8. "Lawson and Dunn head to Washington". Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  9. LAKANA (January 3, 2017). "Rep. Neal Dunn sworn in to 115th Congress". Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  10. Bade, Rachael. "Rep. Dunn's chief of staff resigns after alleged sexual harassment". Politico. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  11. "Dunn shuns citizens calling for town hall". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  12. Mueller, Sarah. "Rep. Dunn Frustrates Constituents By Not Holding Town Hall". Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  13. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2018-election/midterms/fl#house
  14. "Member List". Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  15. "Republican Candidate Neal Dunn Endorsed by NRA Political Victory Fund". Neal Dunn Conservative for Congress. Friends of Neal Dunn. October 12, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  16. Henderson, John (February 22, 2018). "Bay residents, leaders split on gun 'common sense'". Panama City News Herald. Panama City, Florida. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  17. Grinberg, Emanuella (February 21, 2018). "These Florida lawmakers accepted money from the National Rifle Association". CNN. Atlanta. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  18. https://energycommerce.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/121317-FCC-Net-Neutrality.pdf
  19. "Here's a List of the Members of Congress Who Just Told Ajit Pai to Repeal Net Neutrality". Motherboard. December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  20. Almukhtar, Sarah (December 19, 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  21. Milbank, Dana. "Dana Milbank: Republicans have their own Obamacare now". stltoday.com. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  22. Holton, Jennifer. "Rep. Dunn on GOP tax reform victory: Win for "generations"". WJHG. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  23. Call, James. "GOP 2nd District candidates tout conservative credentials". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  24. "Florida Voices React to Senate Proposal to Repeal and Replace Obamacare". Sunshine State News | Florida Political News. June 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  25. Florida, News Service of. "North Florida Congressman Positive For COVID-19". news.wgcu.org. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gwen Graham		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd congressional district
2017–present		 Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Val Demings		 United States Representatives by seniority
299th		 Succeeded by
Adriano Espaillat
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