Virgil Peck, Jr.

Virgil Peck, Jr. (born August 21, 1959) is a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 11th district.^[1] He has served from 2005 and is the current Republican Majority Caucus Chairman.

Prior to his election, he ran unsuccessfully for House District 11 in 2002, and for Kansas Senate District 15 in 2000.^[2]

Issue positions

Peck's website lists him as, "Pro-Low Taxes, Pro-Life, Pro-Education, Pro-Business, Pro-Agriculture," and "Pro-2nd Amendment." He states, "We need to address property tax relief, immigration reform, health care costs, state debt, and bring state government spending under control."^[3]

Controversies

On Monday, March 14, 2011 during a committee discussion about a state plan to use gunmen in helicopters to control the feral swine population, Rep. Virgil Peck said "If shooting these immigrating feral hogs works, maybe we have found a (solution) to our illegal immigration problem." ^[4] Following the meeting, Peck told a reporter “I was just speaking like a southeast Kansas person,” but added that he was only joking. He said most of his constituents are upset with illegal immigration and the state and federal government response.

Under pressure from his party leaders, Tuesday Peck issued a terse, two-sentence statement by email saying, “My statements yesterday were regrettable. Please accept my apology.”^[5]

Thursday March 18, Peck made a brief on-camera apology for CNN with fellow Republican state Representatives Mario Goico of Wichita, Reynaldo Mesa of Garden City, and Ramon Gonzalez of Perry by his side.^[6]

Democrats drafted a resolution condemning Peck’s remark, because they felt he did not show proper remorse for his comment, although it didn't seek further action. The House’s rules allow the chamber to discipline or expel a member but don’t spell out what constitutes misconduct, Minority Leader Paul Davis said.^[7] Latino and immigrant advocacy groups derided the resolution as “merely a slap on the wrist.” One week after the incident they had delivered 58,000 signatures calling on Governor Sam Brownback and House Speaker Mike O'Neal to ask for his resignation and "hold him accountable for his hateful rhetoric.” ^[8]

On April 27, 2011 House Speaker Mike O'Neal blasted Democrats after they filed the resolution. “I consider the matter to be over and done with,” O'Neal said.^[9]

Committee membership

• Joint Committee on Legislative Post Audit (Chair)
• Insurance (Vice-Chair)
• Taxation
• Transportation
• Financial Institutions

Major donors

The top 5 donors to Peck's 2008 campaign were mostly from the insurance industry:^[10]

• 1. American Home Life Insurance Co $1,500
• 2. Farmers Insurance Group $1,000
• 3. Jensen International Inc $1,000
• 4. Kansas Republican Party $1,000
• 5. Kansas Insurance Agents $900

References

1. ↑ http://www.kanfocus.com/FMPro.php?-DB=House_Profiles_KS&-lay=Contact&-format=Contact_House.html&Name=Virgil%20Peck%20Jr.,%20R-12th&-find
2. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Virgil Peck Biography
3. ↑ Kansas State Rep. Virgil Peck - Homepage
4. ↑ http://politicalcorrection.org/blog/201103140012
5. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/mar/15/legislator-apologizes-illegal-immigrant-feral-hogs/
6. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/22/democrats-want-kansas-house-formally-condemn-virgi/?print
7. ↑ http://m.cjonline.com/legislature/state-government/2011-04-22/dems-want-kan-house-decry-remark
8. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/us/politics/26brfs-PETITIONSSEE_BRF.html
9. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/27/statehouse-live-speaker-oneal-blasts-democrats-ove/
10. ↑ Follow the Money - 2008 Campaign Contributions

External links

• Official Website
• Kansas Legislature - Virgil Peck, Jr.
• Project Vote Smart profile
• Kansas Votes profile
• State Surge - Legislative Profile
• Follow the Money campaign contributions:
  • 2000,2002, 2004, 2006, 2008