Jeff Duncan (politician)

Jeff Duncan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded by Gresham Barrett
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 15th district
In office
January 14, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by Donny Wilder
Succeeded by David Tribble Jr.
Personal details
Born Jeffrey Darren Duncan
January 7, 1966
Ware Shoals, South Carolina (AP says Ware Shoals)[1]
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Melody Duncan
Children 3
Residence Laurens, South Carolina[2]
Alma mater Clemson University B.A. 1988 (political science)
Occupation Real Estate Broker, Auctioneer, Politician
Religion Southern Baptist [3]
[1][4]

Jeffrey D. Duncan (born January 7, 1966)[5] is an American politician who has been the United States Representative for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district since 2011. Duncan, a Republican, previously served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Early life, education, and business career

In 1984, he graduated from Ware Shoals High School. He is a 1988 graduate of Clemson University; he was a wide receiver on the football team under Head Coach Danny Ford.

He is currently the President and CEO of J. Duncan Associates, a real estate marketing firm.

South Carolina House of Representatives

Elections

After redistricting, Duncan ran for South Carolina's 15th House District in 2002. In the Republican primary, he defeated David Tribble Jr, Clinton County Councilman, 56%–44%.[6] He won the general election with 62% of the vote.[7] In 2004, he won re-election to a second term unopposed.[8] In 2006, he won re-election to a third term with 63% of the vote.[9] In 2008, he won re-election to a fourth term unopposed.[10] In 2010, he retired in order to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. David Tribble, Duncan's primary opponent in 2002, won Duncan's seat.

Tenure

Governor Mark Sanford called him a “Tax Payer Hero.” He was given the “Guardian of Small Business” award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, an A+ rating from the Club for Growth, the Palmetto Leadership Award from the SC Policy Council, and “Legislator of the Year” from the SC Recreation and Parks Association and SC Wildlife Federation.[11]

Committee assignments

Duncan was named Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee in 2007. He was appointed by the Speaker of the House to be the Chair of the Education Finance Study Committee, Natural Gas Offshore Drilling Study Committee and was appointed to represent the state of South Carolina on the Southern States Energy Board.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

He ran for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district when Republican incumbent U.S. Congressman J. Gresham Barrett ran for Governor of South Carolina. He was endorsed by the Club for Growth[13] and the National Right to Life Committee.[14] In the Republican primary, businessman Richard Cash ranked first with 25% but failed to reach the 50% threshold to win outright. Duncan ranked second in the six candidate field with 23%.[15] In the run-off election, Duncan defeated Cash 51%–49%, a vote difference of 2,171. Duncan won five of the district's ten counties, and were mostly located in the southern part of the CD.[16] He won the general election with 62% of the vote, 2% less than John McCain's 64% vote in 2008. He won nine of the district's ten counties, losing just McCormick (52%–47%). Duncan spent $935,503; Democrat Jane Dyer spent $272,698.[4][17]

2012

Duncan successfully ran for re-election in the newly redrawn 3rd district, which excludes Aiken County (McCain won with 62%),[18] and includes two new counties: Newberry (McCain won with 58%) and Greenville (McCain won with 57%). Duncan won re-election to a second term with 67% of the vote.[19]

Tenure

On the 1st of August, Duncan took part in the ´Chick-fil-a appreciation day´, using Twitter to publicise his purchase of large quantities of fried chicken produce in an apparent endorsement of CEO Dan Cathy´s anti-same-sex marriage sentiments.[20]

In January 2012, The New American‘s Freedom Index gave Duncan a perfect 100% score for his votes in 2011. He was just one of three members of congress to receive a perfect score, the other two being Walter B. Jones (R-NC) and Ron Paul (R-Texas).[21]

On November 19, 2012, Duncan led a group of 97 Republican U.S. Representatives in writing a letter to President Obama, expressing opposition to the possible nomination of U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice to U.S. Secretary of State.[22][23]

Legislation

In February, 2011, Duncan introduced a resolution to create a new Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs in an attempt to reduce federal outlays.[24]

On March 13, 2014, Duncan introduced the DHS Acquisition Accountability and Efficiency Act (H.R. 4228; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve the accountability, transparency, and efficiency of its major acquisition programs.[25] The bill would specify procedures for the department to follow if it fails to meet timelines, cost estimates, or other performance parameters for these programs.[25][26] Duncan argued that "for years, DHS's purchases of major homeland security systems have been late, cost more, and done less than promised. This bill will save taxpayer dollars by forcing DHS to improve its management."[26]

Committee assignments

Personal life

Duncan is married to Melody, with whom he has three sons: Graham, John Philip, and Parker. Jeff, Melody, John Philip, and Parker are members of First Baptist Church in Clinton, SC, while Graham is a member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Laurens, SC.[27][28]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Meg Kinnard (July 21, 2012). "News From The Associated Press (Jeff Duncan Candidate Profile)". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  2. ↑ O'Connor, John (July 23, 2008). "Lawmakers to tackle S.C. school funding". Rock Hill Herald Online. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  3. ↑ Jeff Duncan (R) – NationalJournal.com
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Barone, Michael; Chuck McCutcheon (2011). The Almanac of American Politics 2012. Washington, D.C.: National Journal Group. pp. 1453–1455. ISBN 978-0-226-03808-7. LCCN 2011929193.
  5. ↑ 112th Congress: Jeff Duncan, R-S.C. (3rd District) CQ Politics
  6. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC State House 015 – R Primary Race – Jun 11, 2002
  7. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC State House 015 Race – Nov 05, 2002
  8. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC State House 015 Race – Nov 02, 2004
  9. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC State House 015 Race – Nov 07, 2006
  10. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC State House 015 Race – Nov 04, 2008
  11. ↑ http://www.scstatehouse.gov/members/bios/0506818121.html
  12. ↑ http://www.jeffduncan.com/site/about-2/
  13. ↑ Congressional Scorecard
  14. ↑ http://www.jeffduncan.com/site/2010/09/national-right-to-life-endorses-duncan/
  15. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC – District 03 – R Primary Race – Jun 08, 2010
  16. ↑ Our Campaigns – SC District 03 – R Runoff Race – Jun 22, 2010
  17. ↑ "SC – District 03 Race". Our Campaigns. Nov 2, 2010. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  18. ↑ U.S. Rep. Duncan promises to represent Aiken despite congressional redistricting | Aiken Standard
  19. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates – POLITICO.com
  20. ↑ Chick-fil-A appreciation day brings huge crowds to fast-food chain | Life and style | guardian.co.uk
  21. ↑ SC Freshmen Soar On "Freedom Index" – FITSNews
  22. ↑ http://jeffduncan.house.gov/sites/jeffduncan.house.gov/files/Rep.%20Duncan%20Letter%20to%20President%20Obama%20on%20Ambassador%20Susan%20Rice%20(11.19.12).pdf
  23. ↑ 97 House members oppose Susan Rice – Kevin Robillard – POLITICO.com
  24. ↑ "Jeff Duncan Full Biography". U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "CBO – H.R. 4228". Congressional Budget Office. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Medici, Andy (10 June 2014). "House passes bill reforming DHS acquisition management". Federal Times. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Jeff Duncan Biography". U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  28. ↑ Staff (5 January 2011). "Ten Southern Baptists sworn in as new reps.". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Gresham Barrett		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd congressional district
January 3, 2011 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Sean Duffy
R-Wisconsin 		United States Representatives by seniority
243rd 		Succeeded by
Renee Ellmers
R-North Carolina