Virgil Peck, Jr.

Virgil Peck, Jr.
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 12th district
In office
January 2005–present
Personal details
Born Virgil Peck, Jr.
(1959-08-21) August 21, 1959
Political party Republican
Residence Tyro, Kansas

Virgil Peck, Jr. (born August 21, 1959) is a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing the 12th district (in southeast Kansas, Montgomery County).[1] He has served from 2005 and is the current Republican Majority Caucus Chairman. He is the former chairman of the Kansas House Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee.[2]

Prior to his election, he ran unsuccessfully for House District 11 in 2002, and for Kansas Senate District 15 in 2000.[3]

In November, 2014, he announced plans to challenge conservative Kansas House Speaker Ray Merrick (R-Stillwell) for the Speaker seat.

Issue positions

Peck has been described as in Kansas Republicans' "conservative faction," probably to the right of fellow conservative, House Speaker Ray Merrick, whom he is challenging for the Speaker's position (in late 2014 / early 2015).[2]

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."[4]

Controversies

2011: 'Shoot Illegal Immigrants' remark

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."[2][5] 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.”[2][6]

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.[7]

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.[8] 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.” [9]

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.[10]

2013: Proposed $10,000 Legislators' Raise

In the 2013 legislative session, Peck introduced a bill to raise lawmakers pay by $10,000. The bill failed to get substantial support, and attracted backlash.[2]

2014: Campaign Funds for Boots

In 2014 election, Peck was criticized for purchasing cowboy boots for himself with campaign funds—saying they were for parades, and thus legitimate campaign expenses.[2]

Committee membership

Major donors

The top 5 donors to Peck's 2008 campaign were mostly from the insurance industry:[11]

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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lowry, Bryan (Eagle Topeka bureau), "Virgil Peck will challenge Ray Merrick for speaker of Kansas House", Nov. 15, 2014, Wichita Eagle.
  3. ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Virgil Peck Biography
  4. ↑ Kansas State Rep. Virgil Peck - Homepage
  5. ↑ http://politicalcorrection.org/blog/201103140012
  6. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/mar/15/legislator-apologizes-illegal-immigrant-feral-hogs/
  7. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/22/democrats-want-kansas-house-formally-condemn-virgi/?print
  8. ↑ http://m.cjonline.com/legislature/state-government/2011-04-22/dems-want-kan-house-decry-remark
  9. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/us/politics/26brfs-PETITIONSSEE_BRF.html
  10. ↑ http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/apr/27/statehouse-live-speaker-oneal-blasts-democrats-ove/
  11. ↑ Follow the Money - 2008 Campaign Contributions

External links

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