Ann Kirkpatrick
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Arizona
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byMartha McSally
Succeeded byJuan Ciscomani
Constituency2nd district
In office
January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017
Preceded byPaul Gosar
Succeeded byTom O'Halleran
Constituency1st district
In office
January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded byRick Renzi
Succeeded byPaul Gosar
Constituency1st district
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 2nd district
In office
January 10, 2005 – July 24, 2007
Preceded bySylvia Laughter
Succeeded byChristopher Deschene
Personal details
Born
Ann Leila Kirkpatrick

(1950-03-24) March 24, 1950 (age 73)
McNary, Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseRoger Curley
Children2
EducationUniversity of Arizona (BA, JD)

Ann Leila Kirkpatrick (born March 24, 1950) is an American politician and retired attorney who served as the U.S. representative for Arizona's 2nd congressional district from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented Arizona's 1st congressional district from 2009 to 2011, and again from 2013 to 2017. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007.

First elected to Congress in 2008 in Arizona's 1st congressional district, Kirkpatrick was unseated in 2010. She regained her seat in a close race in 2012 and was reelected in 2014. Kirkpatrick ran for U.S. Senate in 2016 and was defeated by incumbent Republican John McCain. In 2018, she was elected to Congress in Arizona's 2nd congressional district; she was reelected in 2020. On March 12, 2021, Kirkpatrick announced she would not seek reelection in 2022.[1]

Early life and early political career

Kirkpatrick was born on March 24, 1950,[2][3] and raised on an Apache Indian reservation near McNary, Arizona.[4] Her parents were 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 County Community College."[8]

Arizona House of Representatives

In 2004, Kirkpatrick was elected to represent the 2nd legislative district and took office in January 2005. She was reelected in 2006. In the legislature, Kirkpatrick served as the ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education K–12 Committee and Natural Resources Committee.[8][failed verification]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

Kirkpatrick at a campaign event in Phoenix, Arizona

See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 1

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 reelection in the face of a federal indictment on corruption charges, for which he eventually went to prison. Kirkpatrick won the four-way primary by almost 15 points on September 2.

Kirkpatrick defeated Republican Sydney Ann Hay, a mining industry lobbyist, in the general election, with 56% of the vote.[9]

2010

See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 1

Kirkpatrick was defeated for reelection by Republican nominee Paul Gosar, with 49.7% of the vote to Kirkpatrick's 43.7%. She was endorsed by The Arizona Republic.[10]

2012

Kirkpatrick during the 113th Congress

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 1

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 had 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,[13] defeating Republican Jonathan Paton, a former state senator,[13] with less than 50% of the vote, as a Libertarian Party candidate took more than 6%.[14]

2014

See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 1

Kirkpatrick was reelected with 52.6% of the vote. She faced no opposition in the Democratic primary.[15] According to a December 2012 Washington Post article, Kirkpatrick was one of the 10 most vulnerable incumbents in 2014.[16] She was a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Frontline Program, which was designed to help protect vulnerable Democratic incumbents heading into the 2014 election.[17]

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 2

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 had to move across the state, from Flagstaff to Tucson, in order to run. She won the election with 54.7% of the vote.[18]

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona § District 2

Kirkpatrick was reelected over Republican nominee Brandon Martin.[19][20]

Kirkpatrick announced she would "term-limit" herself and not seek reelection in 2022.[1]

Tenure

111th Congress (2009–11)

Kirkpatrick voted for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commonly called the stimulus package.[21][22] She sponsored bill H.R. 4720, the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act, to lower the salaries of members of Congress. The bill stalled in committee.[23] Kirkpatrick voted for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010.[24][25]

113th Congress (2013–15)

In May 2013, Kirkpatrick voted against repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[26]

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 makes the RAC an independent organization within the VA, requiring that a majority of the RAC's members be appointed by Congress instead of the VA, and states that the RAC release its reports without needing prior approval from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[27][28] 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.[27][29]

117th Congress (2021–23)

Kirkpatrick was at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, to certify the 2020 presidential electoral votes when the Capitol was attacked by Donald Trump supporters. She and her staff were evacuated from their office around 11 AM due to a report of a suspicious object found in the vicinity. About 45 minutes later, they returned to their office. Shortly thereafter, the building was put on lockdown as rioters breached the Capitol.[30] She called the attack a "cowardly assault on Democracy" and blamed President Donald Trump for inciting it.[31] The next day, Kirkpatrick called for Trump's removal from office, calling him "unfit to hold office".[32] She supported the resolution to have Vice President Mike Pence invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office.[33] Days later, she voted, for the second time, to impeach Trump.[34]

During her final term in office, Kirkpatrick voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.[35]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

2016 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2016 United States Senate election in Arizona
Kirkpatrick speaking in support of Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally in October 2016

On May 26, 2015, Kirkpatrick announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John McCain.[37] She lost to McCain, 53.7% to 40.8%.

Political positions

Abortion

Kirkpatrick characterizes herself as pro-choice.[38] A friend of hers almost died from an illegal abortion before Roe v. Wade.[39] She has been endorsed by EMILY's List, Planned Parenthood and the National Women's Political Caucus. As a member of the Arizona legislature, Kirkpatrick voted against a bill that would have required notarized parental consent for a minor to receive an abortion.[40] She voted against a bill to ban abortions that take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[41] Kirkpatrick opposed the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade.[39]

Climate change

In 2009, as a U.S. Representative, Kirkpatrick voted against the American Clean Energy and Security Act (Waxman-Markey).[42] In 2015, she voted in favor of HR 2042, which blocked implementation of President Obama's signature climate change policy, the Clean Power Plan.[43][44]

Gun policy

Before the 2011 Tucson shooting, Kirkpatrick was described as "an ardent gun rights supporter".[45] She voted "to allow guns in national parks and against the reinstatement of a ban on the sale of semi-automatic weapons."[46]

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 said the Tucson shooting 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.[45][47]

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."[46]

In the wake of the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, Kirkpatrick participated in a sit-in on the floor of the U.S. House demanding that Congress address gun violence.[48] She also said, "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."[49]

In 2019, Kirkpatrick voted for HR 8 Bipartisan Background Checks of 2019.[50] In 2020, she introduced HR 5559 The January 8 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.[51]

Health care

Kirkpatrick voted for the Affordable Care Act.[52] She has said that her vote for the ACA was "her proudest vote" in Congress.[53] She also voted against numerous attempts to repeal it, and to defund Planned Parenthood.[54][55] She was one of 106 cosponsors of Pramila Jayapal's Medicare for All bill.[56]

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.[57]

Kirkpatrick says she supports the DREAM Act but did not vote for it in 2010.[38][58]

Kirkpatrick has said that she would have voted against Arizona's controversial immigration measure Arizona SB 1070.[59]

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.[60]

Privacy

Kirkpatrick voted for CISPA, which would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[61]

Same-sex marriage

Kirkpatrick supports same-sex marriage.[62]

U.S. Supreme Court

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kirkpatrick said the Supreme Court was "no longer a legitimate body" and "the courts' conservatives have dismantled separation of church & state."[39]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Ann Kirkpatrick
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing Ref.
Total % P. Total % P.
2004 State Representative[a] Democratic 7,165 32.96% 2nd 28,947 38.72% 1st Won Hold [63]
2006 Democratic 7,488 42.75% 1st 26,787 45.48% 1st Won Hold [64]
2008 U.S. Representative Democratic 26,734 47.24% 1st 155,791 55.88% 1st Won Gain [65]
2010 Democratic 46,902 100.00% 1st 99,233 43.73% 2nd Lost Gain [66]
2012 Democratic 33,831 63.74% 1st 122,774 48.79% 1st Won Gain [67]
2014 Democratic 51,393 100.00% 1st 97,391 52.61% 1st Won Hold [68]
2016 U.S. Senator Democratic 333,586 99.85% 1st 1,031,245 40.77% 2nd Lost Hold [69]
2018 U.S. Representative Democratic 33,938 41.85% 1st 161,000 54.73% 1st Won Gain [70]
2020 Democratic 77,517 76.33% 1st 209,945 55.10% 1st Won Hold [71]

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.[72] She returned to work on February 26, 2020.[73]

Kirkpatrick is Catholic.[74]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In Arizona, each of the state's thirty legislative districts elects two state house representatives from among the top two candidates with the highest vote share.

References

  1. ^ a b Ronald J. Hansen (March 12, 2021). "Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick won't seek reelection: 'I'm sort of term-limiting myself'". Arizona Republic.
  2. ^ "Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick". Congressional Bill Tracker. Real Clear Politics. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  3. ^ "KIRKPATRICK, ANN LEILA – Candidate overview". FEC.gov.
  4. ^ "Can Navajo Nation help rescue endangered Dem Congresswoman?". ABC News. October 8, 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f 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.
  6. ^ Sangillo, Gregg (November 1, 2012). "Arizona, 1st House District". National Journal. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  7. ^ "Ann Kirkpatrick: A Lifetime of Service and Results". Kirkpatrick for Arizona. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Ann Kirkpatrick Member Page". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  9. ^ "Arizona". The New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  10. ^ "Kirkpatrick's the right fit for rural district". Arizona Republic. October 3, 2010.
  11. ^ Catanese, David; Isenstadt, Alex (March 31, 2011). "Dems eye GOP rematches for 2012". Politico. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  12. ^ Wilson, Reid (January 7, 2012). "Gosar Will Switch Districts". National Journal. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
  13. ^ a b 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.
  14. ^ Fitzpatrick, Jack (August 26, 2014). "GOP Establishment Makes Late Primary Play in Arizona House Battleground". National Journal. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  15. ^ "Your Vote 2014". Arizona Public Media. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  16. ^ Blake, Aaron (December 7, 2012). "House Democrats face long odds in 2014". Washington Post. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  17. ^ Bland, Scott (November 15, 2013). "Most Vulnerable House Democrats Side With GOP on 'Obamacare' Vote". National Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  18. ^ "Ann Kirkpatrick wins Democratic primary for US House seat being vacated by Arizona Rep. Martha McSally". Washington Post. Associated Press. August 29, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  19. ^ "Kirkpatrick headed back to Congress in CD2". Green Valley News & Sun. November 2020.
  20. ^ "Kirkpatrick hangs on to House seat in Arizona CD2 race". KGUN. November 4, 2020.
  21. ^ "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 477 | H.R. 2454 Recorded Vote 26-Jun-2009 7:17 PM | Question: On Passage | Bill Title: American Clean Energy and Security Act". clerk.house.gov.
  22. ^ Beard, Sterling (February 25, 2013). "Dem Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick returns for second stint on Capitol Hill". The Hill. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  23. ^ Parkinson, John R. (September 17, 2010). "Congressional Pay Cut? Arizona Democrat Suggests One to Nancy Pelosi". ABC News.
  24. ^ "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 887 | H.R. 3962 Recorded Vote 7-Nov-2009 11:16 PM | Question: On Passage | Affordable Health Care for America Act". clerk.house.gov.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ "Obamacare and Vulnerable Democrats". The Wall Street Journal. May 20, 2013.
  27. ^ a b 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.
  28. ^ Kennedy, Kelly (March 14, 2014). "Congress seeks independence for Gulf War illness board". USA Today. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  29. ^ "Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses: Illnesses Associated with Gulf War Service". United States Department of Veterans Affairs. n.d. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
  30. ^ "Arizona leaders react to storming of US Capitol". Arizona Daily Star. January 7, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  31. ^ Kirkpatrick, Ann (January 6, 2021). "Kirkpatrick: 'Senseless violence incited by lame-duck' Trump a 'cowardly assault on Democracy'". Tucson Sentinel. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  32. ^ Reyes, Anthony Victor (January 7, 2021). "Kirkpatrick joins calls to remove President Trump from office via 25th Amendment". KVOA. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  33. ^ "House vote on the 25th Amendment resolution". Reuters. January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  34. ^ "Here's how Arizona lawmakers voted in the impeachment of President Donald Trump". KOLD. January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (October 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  36. ^ "Leadership | New Democrat Coalition". newdemocratcoalition.house.gov. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  37. ^ Lavender, Paige (May 26, 2015). "Ann Kirkpatrick Announces 2016 Senate Run". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  38. ^ a b "Phoenix Arizona Election Questionnaire for Congress, Ann Kirkpatrick". AZcentral.com. 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  39. ^ a b c Kirkpatrick, Ann (June 24, 2022). "The Supreme Court is no longer a legitimate body; it's become a partisan branch—putting political party platforms before the American people and legal precedent. This week's SCOTUS rulings highlight this fact: the courts' conservatives have dismantled separation of church & state". Twitter. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  40. ^ "HB 2666 – Notarized Parental Consent for Abortions – Key Vote". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  41. ^ "How Ann Kirkpatrick voted on key votes". Washington Post. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  42. ^ "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.
  43. ^ "Measure to block EPA Clean Power Plan passes House". Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  44. ^ ""Final Vote for Roll Call 384" from House of Representatives Clerk, 2015-06-24".
  45. ^ a b Morales, Laurel (December 31, 2012). "Arizona Democrat Kirkpatrick Making Capitol Hill Comeback". NPR.
  46. ^ a b Cole, Cyndy (January 10, 2013). "Kirkpatrick pivots on guns". Arizona Daily Sun.
  47. ^ Flora, Chris (December 26, 2012). "Kirkpatrick looks at economy, gun laws and fiscal cliff". The Explorer.
  48. ^ Theobald, Bill (June 22, 2016). "Arizona representatives join U.S. House sit-in demanding gun vote". AZ Central.
  49. ^ 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.
  50. ^ Thompson, Mike (March 4, 2019). "Text – H.R.8 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019". www.congress.gov.
  51. ^ Kirkpatrick, Ann (January 15, 2020). "Text – H.R.5559 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): January 8th National Memorial Act". www.congress.gov.
  52. ^ "H R 3590, Vote #165". Office of the Clerk. U.S. House of Representatives. March 21, 2010.
  53. ^ "Ann Kirkpatrick Interview, Part 2". AM 780 KAZM. October 10, 2011.
  54. ^ "H R 596, Vote #58". Office of the Clerk. U.S. House of Representatives. October 16, 2015.
  55. ^ "H.R.3762". Congress.gov. October 16, 2015.
  56. ^ 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.
  57. ^ Benson, Matthew (October 24, 2008). "Immigration, Energy Hot Topics in District 1 Debate". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  58. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart.
  59. ^ "About: Ann Kirkpatrick". Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  60. ^ Ogden, Whitney (March 26, 2014). "House Democrats will try to force vote on immigration reform". Cronkite News. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  61. ^ Squash, Hubbard (April 21, 2013). "Democrats and "Progressives" who voted for CISPA. Let's hold them accountable!". Daily Kos. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  62. ^ "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.
  63. ^ Primary election: General election:
  64. ^ Primary election: General election:
  65. ^ Primary election: General election:
  66. ^ Primary election: General election:
  67. ^ Primary election: General election:
  68. ^ Primary election: General election:
  69. ^ Primary election: General election:
  70. ^ Primary election: General election:
  71. ^ Primary election: General election:
  72. ^ Olson, Tyler, "Arizona Rep. Kirkpatrick seeks treatment for alcoholism after fall", Fox News, January 15, 2020
  73. ^ Conover, Christopher, "Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick returns to House after alcohol treatment", "Arizona Public Media" February 27, 2020
  74. ^ Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ann Kirkpatrick.
Arizona House of Representatives Preceded bySylvia Laughter Member of the Arizona House of Representatives from the 2nd district 2005–2007 Succeeded byChristopher Deschene U.S. House of Representatives Preceded byRick Renzi Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Arizona's 1st congressional district 2009–2011 Succeeded byPaul Gosar Preceded byPaul Gosar Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Arizona's 1st congressional district 2013–2017 Succeeded byTom O'Halleran Preceded byMartha McSally Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Arizona's 2nd congressional district 2019–2023 Succeeded byEli Crane Party political offices Preceded byRodney Glassman Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Arizona(Class 3) 2016 Succeeded byMark Kelly U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) Preceded byMatt Salmonas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United Statesas Former US Representative Succeeded byRon Klinkas Former US Representative
Members of the United States House of Representatives from Arizona
Arizona's delegation(s) to the 111th, 113th–114th, & 116th–117th United States Congresses (ordered by seniority)
Authority control databases
Categories