Neal Dunn Explained

Neal Dunn
State:Florida
Term Start:January 3, 2017
Predecessor:Gwen Graham (redistricting)
Birth Date:16 February 1953
Birth Place:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Party:Republican
Children:3
Education:Washington and Lee University (BS)
George Washington University (MD)
Allegiance: United States
Rank:Major

Neal Patrick Dunn (born February 16, 1953) is an American surgeon and Republican Party politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2017.

Early life and career

Dunn was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 16, 1953.[1] [2] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary sciences from Washington and Lee University and a Doctor of Medicine from the George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. He completed his medical internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dunn served in the United States Army for 11 years of active duty, 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.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2016

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

2018

In 2018, Dunn won reelection against challenger Bob Rackleff, 67.4% to 32.6%.[10]

2020

Constituents voiced frustration with Dunn for his refusal to host town halls.[11] Dunn held multiple virtual town hall meetings since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.[12]

Dunn was reelected in 2020 with 97.9% of the vote in 2020. He had no primary election or official general election opponents.[13]

2022

In 2022, Dunn defeated U.S. Representative Al Lawson with 59.8% of the vote. The boundaries of the district had been redrawn as determined by the 2020 Florida redistricting cycle.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[14]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Dunn's campaign website identifies him as conservative.

Gun policy

Dunn received an "AQ" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) during his 2016 run for office—the highest rating possible for a non-incumbent.[17] In 2020 and 2022 he was endorsed and graded "A".[18] [19] He does not support a ban of semi-automatic weapons.[20] From 2015 to 2016, Dunn accepted $1,000 from the NRA-PVF.[21]

Net neutrality

Along with 107 Republican members of Congress, Dunn 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.[22] Dunn accepted $18,500 from the telecom industry before voting to repeal the rule.[23]

Tax reform

Dunn voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017,[24] calling the bill "good medicine for America".[25] He believes it 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 businessmen" in his district for supporting the bill.[26]

Education

Dunn wants to defund the Department of Education.[27]

Healthcare

Dunn supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which he says is "failing", saying "no one can afford" the premiums and deductibles.[28]

2020 presidential election certification

In December 2020, Dunn was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[29] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[30] [31] [32]

After the 2021 storming of the Capitol, Dunn condemned the rioters, but still voted to object to the certification of several states' electoral votes.[33] [34]

Israel

Dunn voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[35] [36]

Veterans

The PACT ACT which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Dunn.[37] Regarding cannabis, despite lobbying from VSOs such as the DAV[38] Dunn also voted against 2022 MORE Act.[39] [40]

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.[41]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bioguide Search. bioguide.congress.gov.
  2. Web site: Guide to the New Congress . . January 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180524105207/http://info.cqrollcall.com/rs/764-XAC-282/images/CQ-NewMemberGuide-115thCongress.pdf . May 24, 2018 . dead .
  3. Web site: Jackson County Times - "Conservative for Congress" Neal Dunn visits Marianna. Bo. McMullian. Jackson County Times. January 14, 2016. November 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161104075945/http://www.jacksoncountytimes.net/local-news/item/7050-%E2%80%9Cconservative-for-congress%E2%80%9D-neal-dunn-visits-marianna.html. November 4, 2016. dead.
  4. Web site: Panama City surgeon Dunn announces run for Congress. Tallahassee Democrat. Jeff. Burlew. August 10, 2015. November 3, 2016.
  5. Web site: Neal Dunn announces candidacy for Congress. Valerie. Garman. Panama City News Herald. August 7, 2015. November 3, 2016.
  6. Web site: Neal Dunn Announces Candidacy for Florida Congressional District 2. Lanetra. Bennett. WCTV-TV. November 3, 2016.
  7. Web site: Dunn wins GOP CD2, Democratic race too close to call. Tallahassee Democrat. August 30, 2016. November 3, 2016.
  8. Web site: Lawson and Dunn head to Washington. March 19, 2017.
  9. Web site: Rep. Neal Dunn sworn in to 115th Congress. LAKANA. January 3, 2017. March 19, 2017.
  10. Web site: Florida Election Results 2018: Midterm Results & Polls. NBC News. December 21, 2018 .
  11. News: Rep. Dunn Frustrates Constituents By Not Holding Town Hall. Mueller. Sarah. 2018-08-30. en.
  12. News: Dunn shuns citizens calling for town hall. Tallahassee Democrat. 2018-08-30. en.
  13. Web site: Republican Neal Dunn re-elected in US House District 2 race . November 4, 2020 .
  14. Web site: Neal P. Dunn . Clerk of the United States House of Representatives . 2 May 2023.
  15. Web site: Caucus List. 5 April 2022.
  16. Web site: Member List. 6 November 2017. December 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222002744/http://rsc-walker.house.gov/. dead.
  17. Web site: Republican Candidate Neal Dunn Endorsed by NRA Political Victory Fund. 12 October 2016. Neal Dunn Conservative for Congress. Friends of Neal Dunn. 22 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181005192413/https://www.nealdunn.com/news/republican-candidate-neal-dunn-endorsed-by-nra-political-victory-fund . October 5, 2018 . live.
  18. Web site: NRA-PVF Grades Florida . nrapvf.org . NRA-PVF . https://web.archive.org/web/20201103170623/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/florida . November 3, 2020 . en-US . usurped.
  19. Web site: NRA-PVF Grades Florida . nrapvf.org . NRA-PVF . https://web.archive.org/web/20221102113335/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/Florida/ . November 2, 2022 . en-US . usurped.
  20. News: Henderson . John . 22 February 2018 . Bay residents, leaders split on gun 'common sense' . Panama City News Herald . Panama City, Florida . 22 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180217062736/http://www.newsherald.com/news/20180216/bay-residents-leaders-split-on-gun-common-sense . February 17, 2018 . dead.
  21. News: Grinberg . Emanuella . 21 February 2018 . These Florida lawmakers accepted money from the National Rifle Association . CNN . Atlanta . 22 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180220032500/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/19/politics/nra-pvf-contributions-florida-politicians/index.html . February 20, 2018 . live.
  22. Web site: Letter to FCC Chairman Pai . December 13, 2017 . February 12, 2018 . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313024242/https://energycommerce.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/121317-FCC-Net-Neutrality.pdf . dead .
  23. News: Here's a List of the Members of Congress Who Just Told Ajit Pai to Repeal Net Neutrality. 2017-12-14. Motherboard. 2017-12-14. en-us. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214003107/https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/7xwknx/republican-members-of-congress-fcc-letter. December 14, 2017. live.
  24. Web site: Almukhtar. Sarah. How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill. The New York Times. 22 December 2017. 19 December 2017.
  25. Web site: Milbank. Dana. Dana Milbank: Republicans have their own Obamacare now. stltoday.com. December 21, 2017 . 22 December 2017. en.
  26. Web site: Holton. Jennifer. Rep. Dunn on GOP tax reform victory: Win for "generations". WJHG. December 20, 2017 . 22 December 2017. en.
  27. Web site: Call. James. GOP 2nd District candidates tout conservative credentials. Tallahassee Democrat. 22 December 2017. en.
  28. Web site: Florida Voices React to Senate Proposal to Repeal and Replace Obamacare. Sunshine State News Florida Political News. 22 December 2017. en. 22 June 2017.
  29. Web site: Blood. Michael R.. Riccardi. Nicholas. December 5, 2020. Biden officially secures enough electors to become president. live. December 12, 2020. AP News. December 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa.
  30. News: Liptak. Adam. Adam Liptak. 2020-12-11. Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election. en-US. The New York Times. 2020-12-12. 0362-4331. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234955/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html. live.
  31. Web site: Order in Pending Case. 2020-12-11. Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. December 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211234004/https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/121120zr_p860.pdf. live.
  32. News: Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court. Daniella . Diaz. CNN. December 11, 2020. December 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212000435/https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/10/politics/read-house-republicans-texas-supreme-court/index.html. live.
  33. Web site: Call. James. Congressman and Trump loyalist Neal Dunn will back Electoral College challenge. 2021-03-19. Tallahassee Democrat. en-US.
  34. Web site: Cobb. Nathan. Congressman Neal Dunn condemns Capitol violence, still contests Electoral College results. 2021-03-19. News Herald. en-US.
  35. News: Demirjian . Karoun . 2023-10-25 . House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-30 . 0362-4331.
  36. Web site: Washington . U. S. Capitol Room H154 . p:225-7000 . DC 20515-6601 . 2023-10-25 . Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session . 2023-10-30 . Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives . en.
  37. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202257
  38. Web site: DAV Magazine July/August 2023 Page 5. www.qgdigitalpublishing.com.
  39. https://www.c-span.org/video/?519065-1/house-session&start=11123
  40. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/166297/neal-dunn/101/marijuana
  41. Web site: North Florida Congressman Positive For COVID-19. Florida. News Service of. news.wgcu.org. April 10, 2020. en. 2020-04-13.

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