Kat Cammack | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 3rd district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Ted Yoho |
Personal details | |
Born | Kathryn Christine Cammack[1] February 16, 1988 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Matthew Harrison (m. 2017) |
Education | Metropolitan State University of Denver (BA) Naval War College (MS) |
Website | House website |
Kathryn Christine Cammack (/ˈkæmæk/ KAM-mack; born February 16, 1988)[2] is an American politician and political advisor serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 3rd congressional district. Cammack previously served as deputy chief of staff to Representative Ted Yoho, who retired in 2020.[3] She is the second-youngest woman elected to Congress in the 2020 election cycle, behind Democrat Sara Jacobs.[4]
Cammack was born in Denver, Colorado, and raised on a 55-acre cattle ranch.[5][6][7][8][9] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Science in national defense and strategic studies from the Naval War College.[10][11] Cammack says she lived with her mother in an extended-stay motel for four months.[5][12][13]
Cammack says that her family's experience with the federal Home Affordable Modification Program inspired her interest in politics.[14] She later joined Ted Yoho's congressional campaign.[15][16][17] After Yoho was elected, Cammack served as his deputy chief of staff from 2013 to 2019.[18][19] In 2019, Cammack left Yoho's office in Washington, D.C. and returned to Florida. Yoho did not seek reelection in 2020, fulfilling his pledge to serve only four terms.[20] Cammack announced her candidacy for Yoho's seat in December 2019.[21]
Cammack also operates an independent political consulting firm.[22][23] She was heavily favored to win the November general election,[24][25][26][27] in part due to political gerrymandering by Republicans after 2010.[28] In September 2020, Donald Trump endorsed her.[29] After her primary win, Cammack established a leadership PAC.[30][31]
Cammack has expressed interest in chairing the Republican Study Committee.[32]
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Florida § District 3 |
Cammack defeated Democratic nominee Adam Christensen. She assumed office on January 3, 2021.[33]
Cammack is anti-abortion.[36] She believes states should determine their abortion laws,[37] and abortion should be allowed only in extreme cases in the first trimester.[36] During her campaign, she released an advertisement in which she stated that, when her mother was pregnant with her, she was advised by doctors to have an abortion, but chose not to.[38]
In March 2020, Cammack signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge. She said that a "limit on the time an individual can serve brings new ideas to Capitol Hill."[39]
Cammack cosponsored a bill to expand federal home loans.[40]
Cammack was one of the 139 representatives to vote to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election on January 7, 2021.[41] On the House floor, she said the January 6, 2021, attacks "furthermore resolved" her objection to the certification process and as that as representatives of the people, members of Congress must stand for a free and fair election for all Americans.[42] There was no evidence that the election was not free or fair to an extent that would change the outcome, despite numerous inquiries.[43][44]
Cammack said it is reassuring that the Capitol Police are expanding into Florida and will work with local law enforcement.[45]
Cammack cosponsored the PROTECT Florida Act to prohibit oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida until 2032.[46]
Cammack is a board member of the Alachua County Friends of the National Rifle Association.[47][non-primary source needed] In 2020, the NRA endorsed her.[48][non-primary source needed] In 2021, she voted for the National Defense Authorization Act, which contained anti-gun provisions.[49][50][51][52]
In June 2021, Cammack was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq.[53][54] She voted for the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022.[55]
Cammack has supported the construction of a border wall along the Mexico–United States border.[56]
During the 2022 United States infant formula shortage, Cammack criticized the Biden administration for sending baby formula to detention facilities on the U.S.-Mexico border.[57] White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that under the Flores Settlement Agreement, the U.S. is required to provide adequate and age-appropriate food, "hence formula for kids under the age of 1."[58]
During an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Cammack showed pictures of baby formula she said she had received from a CBP agent. Tommy Christopher wrote that some of the images used in Cammack’s interview with Hannity were not of baby formula but of powdered milk for children older than one. Hannity later acknowledged on Twitter that two of the pictures he aired during Cammack’s appearance were milk products for children over one.[59][60]
Cammack's husband, Matt Harrison, is a firefighter.[18] Cammack is a Protestant.[61]