Cal Cunningham

Cunningham was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and grew up in Lexington, North Carolina. He attended Vanderbilt University before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/northcarolinaman20012002nort|title=North Carolina manual [serial]|date=October 21, 1916|publisher=[Raleigh] : North Carolina Historical Commission|via=Internet Archive}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/candidate-conversation-cal-cunningham-d|title=Candidate Conversation – Cal Cunningham (D)|website=www.insideelections.com}} In the summer of 1993, Cunningham attended American University and interned on Capitol Hill for a subcommittee chaired by Senator Carl Levin.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/s885tomodifycong00unit/s885tomodifycong00unit_djvu.txt |title=Full text of "S. 885, to modify congressional restrictions on gifts : hearing before the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management of the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, on S. 885 ... July 19, 1993" |year=1993 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |isbn=9780160415029 |access-date=January 16, 2011}}

Cunningham received a Master of Science in public policy and public administration from the London School of Economics and a Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kilpatrickstockton.com/attorneys/detail.aspx?id=13082&exbio=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040905134145/http://www.kilpatrickstockton.com/attorneys/detail.aspx?id=13082&exbio=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-09-05|title=Kilpatrick Stockton LLP: Cunningham III, J. Calvin|date=2004-09-05|access-date=2020-03-11}}

In 2002, Cunningham was commissioned in the Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General's Corps. He is a graduate of the Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, and the Judge Advocate Officer Advanced Course.{{Cite web|date=2012-06-16|title=Local lawyer gets medal for meritorious work in Iraq {{!}} JournalNow.com|url=http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2009/jan/27/local-lawyer-gets-medal-for-meritorious-work-in-ir-ar-133662/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120616051126/http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2009/jan/27/local-lawyer-gets-medal-for-meritorious-work-in-ir-ar-133662/|archive-date=2012-06-16|access-date=2020-03-11|website=archive.is}}

From 2007 to 2008, Cunningham was mobilized as the senior trial counsel for the Multi-National Corps in Iraq. He was lead counsel in the first court-martial since 1968 of a contractor under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.{{cite web|date=April 17, 2008|newspaper=Stars & Stripes|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/hearing-begins-in-contractor-stabbing-case-1.77749|title=Hearing begins in contractor stabbing case}}{{cite web|date=December 1, 2009|author=Staff Report|title=Former N.C. senator serves tour in Iraq|url=https://www.salisburypost.com/2009/12/01/former-n-c-senator-serves-tour-in-iraq/|newspaper=Salisbury Post}} In 2011, Cunningham was assigned to work with a special operations task force in Afghanistan.{{Cite news|url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cal_cunningham_off_to_afghanistan|title=Cal Cunningham off to Afghanistan|newspaper=News & Observer|date=September 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928045610/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cal_cunningham_off_to_afghanistan|archive-date=September 28, 2012}}

File:State Senator Cal Cunningham.gif

In November 2000, Cunningham was elected to represent the 23rd Senate district of the North Carolina General Assembly, which included parts of Davidson, Rowan, and Iredell Counties.{{Cite web|title=Cal Cunningham|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Cal_Cunningham|website=Ballotpedia|language=en|access-date=May 19, 2020}} At the time of his election, he was North Carolina's youngest legislator.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ncsl.org/programs/pubs/401trivia.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20040703081746/http://www.ncsl.org/programs/pubs/401trivia.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 3, 2004|title=April 2001 State Legislatures magazine: Captivating Legislative Trivia|date=July 3, 2004|website=National Conference of State Legislators|access-date=March 11, 2020}} After his election, a defeated opponent challenged Cunningham's eligibility on the basis that he had moved back to the district a few days too late to meet the requirement of having lived there for a full year, but the courts rejected the challenge.{{cite news |url=http://www.salisburypost.com/2001jan/012501ed.htm |title=Keadle vs. Cunningham — Courts uphold voters' choice |newspaper=Salisbury Post|date=November 2, 1999 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525195044/http://www.salisburypost.com/2001jan/012501ed.htm |archive-date=May 25, 2011 }} Cunningham declined to run for reelection after his district's territory was split between three Republican-leaning districts.

Cunningham worked at the Wallace & Graham law firm from 2003 until 2004, when he joined Kilpatrick Townsend.{{cite news|last=Ivey|first=Steve|date=March 3, 2008|title=Cal Cunningham: Kilpatrick Stockton attorney goes from comforts of Triad to dangers of Iraq|publisher=Triad.bizjournals.com|url=http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/03/03/story7.html|url-access=registration|access-date=January 16, 2011}}

Since 2003, Cunningham has served as an appointee of the Governor on the Board of Trustees of Davidson County Community College.{{Cite web|url=http://www.davidson.cc.nc.us/about/board_of_trustees.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529224443/http://www.davidson.cc.nc.us/about/board_of_trustees.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-05-29|title=Davidson County Community College|date=2006-05-29|access-date=2020-03-11}} He also served as an appointee of the Governor on the North Carolina Banking Commission.{{cite web|url=https://www.nccob.org/Online/BRTS/BankCommissionMembers.aspx |title=Current Banking Commission Members |publisher=Nccob.org |access-date=January 16, 2011}} He is a former vice chair of the Governor's Crime Commission.{{cite web |title=Governor's Crime Commission » Commission Members |url=https://www.ncdps.gov/about-dps/boards-commissions/governors-crime-commission/commission-members |publisher=North Carolina Department of Public Safety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924103339/https://www.ncdps.gov/about-dps/boards-commissions/governors-crime-commission/commission-members |archive-date=2019-09-24}}{{cite web |title=MEDIA ADVISORY: Governor's Crime Commission Quarterly Meeting |date=December 5, 2017 |url=https://www.ncdps.gov/news/news-release/2017/12/05%20/media-advisory-governors-crime-commission-quarterly-meeting |quote=Policy Study Report Update GCC Vice Chairman Cal Cunningham |publisher=North Carolina Department of Public Safety |access-date=2020-05-19}}

In 2013, Cunningham joined the environmental services company WasteZero as vice president, government affairs, and general counsel. WasteZero helps support pay-as-you-throw waste reduction systems which municipalities in North Carolina and elsewhere have debated implementing.{{cite news |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article239254183.html |url-access=subscription |title='I need to hear his defense.' NC Senate candidate calls for witnesses at impeachment trial |date=January 14, 2020 |newspaper=The News & Observer |access-date=2020-05-19}}{{cite news |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article9235754.html|last=Harrison |first=Steve |title=Would new garbage system reduce waste? |date=November 23, 2014 |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |access-date=2021-07-12}} Cunningham left WasteZero in March 2020, shortly after winning the Democratic nomination, but continues to work for the company as an independent contractor.{{Cite news|last1=Morrill|first1=Jim|last2=Murphy|first2=Brian|date=July 7, 2020|title=Tillis blasts Cunningham over PPP loan to his former company. Cunningham pushes back|work=Charlotte Observer|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article244047977.html#storylink=cpy|access-date=2021-07-12}}{{Cite news|last=Specht|first=Paul|date=2020-07-17|title=Fact check: Tillis says Cunningham criticized program that helped 'his company'|url=https://www.wral.com/fact-check-tillis-says-cunningham-criticized-program-that-helped-his-company/19193824/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=WRAL.com|language=en}}

{{main|2010 United States Senate election in North Carolina}}

In 2010, Cunningham ran for the U.S. Senate seat held by Richard Burr.{{cite web |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_makes_it_official |title=News & Observer: Cunningham makes it official |publisher=Projects.newsobserver.com |access-date=January 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216011009/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_makes_it_official |archive-date=February 16, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunninghams_announcement_speech |title=News & Observer: Cunningham's announcement speech |publisher=Projects.newsobserver.com |access-date=January 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164000/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunninghams_announcement_speech |archive-date=April 1, 2012 }}{{cite web |title=Media Report December 4–10, 2009 |url=https://kilpatricktownsend.com/~/media/Files/mediareports/2009/MediaReportDecember4to10.ashx |website=Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP |access-date=30 September 2020 |quote=Winston-Salem Journal, Lexington-Dispatch, and Triad Business Journal: December 8: Cal Cunningham announced that he will run for U.S. Senate in 2010.}} Retired NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Wesley Clark endorsed Cunningham, saying that he would be "the first veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to serve in the U.S. Senate", as did the state's largest organization of teachers, the North Carolina Association of Educators.{{cite web |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_endorsed_by_retired_gen_wesley_clark |title=News & Observer: Cunningham endorsed by retired Gen Wesley Clark |publisher=Projects.newsobserver.com |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401121459/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_endorsed_by_retired_gen_wesley_clark |archive-date=April 1, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_lewis_pick_up_endorsements |title=News & Observer: Cunningham, Lewis pick up endorsements |publisher=Projects.newsobserver.com |access-date=January 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164058/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_lewis_pick_up_endorsements |archive-date=April 1, 2012 }} He finished second in the primary, but since no candidate received 40% of the vote, he advanced to a runoff with the first-place finisher, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who ultimately won the nomination with 60% of the vote.{{cite web|first=David |last=Catanese |url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0610/38894.html |title=Marshall wins N.C. Senate nomination |publisher=Politico.Com |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2011}}

{{main|2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina}}

Cunningham originally declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor of North Carolina,{{Cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-carolina/articles/2018-11-28/cal-cunningham-preparing-for-2020-lieutenant-governor-bid|title=Cal Cunningham Preparing for 2020 Lieutenant Governor Bid|date=Nov 28, 2018|work=U.S. News|access-date=December 9, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.the-dispatch.com/news/20190108/lexington-native-cal-cunningham-to-run-for-lt-gov&psig=AOvVaw3fgfZG-XPvaCNGk2fY5hAI&ust=1549924428814008|title=Lexington Native Cal Cunningham to Run for Lt Gov|date=January 8, 2019|work=The Dispatch|access-date=February 10, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but he withdrew in June 2019 to run for the United States Senate seat held by Thom Tillis instead.{{Cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article231635098.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618170033/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article231635098.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-06-18|title=Cunningham: Voters led him to switch to US Senate campaign {{!}} Miami Herald|website=Miami Herald|date=2019-06-18|access-date=2020-03-11}} During the primary, a Republican-allied Super PAC spent $3 million on ads attacking Cunningham and supporting left-wing state Senator Erica Smith in order to "amplify fault lines in the Democratic party."{{cite web |last1=Evers-Hillstrom |first1=Karl |title='Dark money' trail leads to GOP meddling in North Carolina Democratic primary |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/02/dark-money-meddling-in-north-carolina-senate-primary/ |website=OpenSecrets |language=en |date=21 February 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Morril |first1=Jim |last2=Murphy |first2=Brian |title='More successful than we could have imagined.' GOP group funds ads for Dem in NC race |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article240509336.html |date=February 22, 2020}} On March 3, 2020, Cunningham won the Democratic primary with 57% of the vote.{{Cite web|last1=Panetta|first1=Grace|last2=Cachero|first2=Paulina|date=March 3, 2020|title=Cal Cunningham claims a victory in the North Carolina Senate Democratic primary|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/north-carolina-senate-democratic-primary-live-results-vote-counts-2020-3|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Business Insider}}

Cunningham stated his support of the Affordable Care Act and called for the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina, as well as a public health insurance option.{{Cite news|date=2020|title=Election 2020: Cunningham, Tillis on Medicaid expansion|work=News & Observer|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article243797637.html}}{{Cite news|date=2020|title=3 NC Democrats running for Senate, 3 different positions on Medicare for All|work=News & Observer|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article237790504.html}} He stated his opposition to the Green New Deal and his support for significant investment in green jobs and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.{{Cite web|last=Lavelle|first=Marianne|date=2020-09-14|title=Senate 2020: In Storm-Torn North Carolina, an Embattled Republican Tries a Climate-Friendly Image|url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/04092020/senate-2020-north-carolina-climate-change-election-thom-tillis-cal-cunningham|access-date=2020-09-20|website=InsideClimate News|language=en-US}}

In July 2020, incumbent Republican Thom Tillis claimed Cunningham had been "silent" on the issue of defunding the police, saying, "I assume his silence is consent." Cunningham had published an op-ed a month earlier stating his opposition to defunding the police, instead advocating police reform, including policies that "counsel de-escalation, prohibit chokeholds, limit no-knock warrants, and specifically address the use of deadly force."{{cite web |last1=Specht |first1=Paul |title=No, Cunningham has not been 'silent' on defunding police |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/aug/19/thom-tillis/no-cunningham-has-not-been-silent-defunding-police/ |website=PolitiFact |date=August 19, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Cunningham |first1=Cal |title=Priorities for Constructive Change in Policing |url=https://medium.com/cal-for-nc/priorities-for-constructive-change-in-policing-bf7bc25b65b9 |website=Medium |language=en |date=11 June 2020}}

Cunningham narrowly led Tillis in the polls throughout much of the campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/north-carolina-senate-race-cal-cunningham-thom-tillis/275-833c7646-8934-4afb-b12f-b088a3b6cc04|title=Thom Tillis claims victory, Cal Cunningham waiting on all votes to be counted|date=November 3, 2020|website=wcnc.com}}

On October 3, the New York Times wrote that the race had fallen into "utter mayhem" within a period of a few hours after Tillis tested positive for COVID-19 and Cunningham admitted to exchanging sexual text messages with a woman who was not his wife, damaging an image that leaned heavily on his character and military service. Days later, the woman, Arlene Guzman Todd, stated that she had a consensual physical relationship with Cunningham in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Arkin |first1=James |title=Cal Cunningham under fire after more texts revealed |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/cal-cunningham-texts-scandal-426971 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=Politico |date=October 6, 2020 |language=en}} The Army Reserve started an investigation into Cunningham.{{cite news |last1=Specht |first1=Paul |title=Army Reserve investigating Cunningham after woman confirms affair, more texts emerge|url=https://www.wral.com/army-reserve-investigating-cunningham-after-woman-confirms-affair-more-texts-emerge/19323479/ |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=WRAL.com |date=6 October 2020 |language=en}} Jeremy Todd, the husband of the woman who stated that she had had an affair with Cunningham, himself an Army veteran, called on Cunningham to drop out of the Senate race.{{cite news |last1=Copp |first1=Tara |last2=Murphy |first2=Brian |last3=Alexander |first3=Ames |title=After woman confirms affair, her husband calls on Cunningham to drop out of NC Senate race |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article246280130.html |access-date=9 October 2020 |publisher=News & Observer |date=October 7, 2020}} Asked repeatedly whether he had had other extramarital affairs, Cunningham declined to answer.{{cite news |last1=Kane |first1=Paul |title=Cunningham struggles to refocus N.C. Senate campaign after acknowledging extramarital relationship |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-north-carolina-cunningham-democrats/2020/10/09/0be9765c-0a6e-11eb-9be6-cf25fb429f1a_story.html |access-date=10 October 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 9, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Leslie |first1=Laura |title=Asked four times whether there are more affairs not yet known, Cunningham declined to say yes or no |url=https://www.wral.com/asked-four-times-whether-there-are-more-affairs-not-yet-known-cunningham-declined-to-say-yes-or-no/19328515/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=WRAL.com |date=9 October 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Cal Cunningham dodges several questions during first news conference since sexting scandal |url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cal-cunningham-publicly-answers-questions-about-sexting-scandal-first-time/RCPG4D2ZEZE7RCJ4IUMUJCNMKU/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=WSOC |date=October 9, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Greenwood |first1=Max |title=Cunningham dodges questions about text message scandal |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/520396-cunningham-dodges-questions-about-affair-amid-text-message-scandal |access-date=10 October 2020 |work=TheHill |date=9 October 2020 |language=en}}

Following the disclosure of the texts and his response, Cunningham "assumed a position of complete radio silence, withdrawing from the campaign trail [save] for a last-minute appearance in Charlotte with the rapper Common".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/cal-cunningham-north-carolina/|title=How the Safe Bet Lost in North Carolina|first=Drew|last=Millard|date=December 11, 2020|via=www.thenation.com}} In late October, Cunningham's polling lead eroded.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/cunninghams-lead-in-senate-race-eroding-as-gop-coalesces-around-tillis/19359552/|title=Cunningham's lead in Senate race eroding as GOP coalesces around Tillis|date=October 28, 2020|website=WRAL.com}}

Tillis narrowly defeated Cunningham, 48.7–46.9%, on Election Day.{{cite web |title=North Carolina U.S. Senate Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-north-carolina-senate.html |website=The New York Times |date=3 November 2020}} On November 10, 2020, a week after Election Day, Cunningham called Tillis to concede the race.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-senate-elections-sex-scandals-north-carolina-general-elections-a73f0f6fb024d9a105640a0a3839a54f|title=Cunningham concedes to US Sen. Tillis in North Carolina|website=Associated Press |access-date=12 February 2021}}

For his service in Iraq, Cunningham was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service as a lead investigator examining contractors.{{cite news |first=Darrick |last=Ignasiak |date= January 22, 2009

|title=Ex-state senator, Lexington native gets Bronze Star

|work=McClatchy – Tribune Business News |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/465315328 |id={{ProQuest|465315328}} |url-access=subscription |quote=Cunningham said he received the medal for his efforts with the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute contractors who were serving with and accompanying the armed forces. He served as lead investigator in a case that turned into the first court-martial of a contractor since 1968. His work resulted in a comprehensive system for ensuring contractors are held responsible for crimes committed while in Iraq.}}{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/politicaljunkie/2010/03/is_nc_sen_burr_r_vulnerable_de.html |title=Is N.C. Sen. Burr (R) Vulnerable? Depends On Who You Ask |date=March 30, 2010 |last=Rudin |first=Ken |access-date=2021-01-08 |archive-url=|archive-date=|website=NPR.org|language=en |quote=But the favorite, at least among some Democrats in Washington, seems to be Cal Cunningham, an attorney and former one-term state senator who served in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star.}} In 2009, he received the General Douglas MacArthur Award for Leadership.{{cite web|date=June 11, 2009|title=News & Observer: Cunningham wins Army award|url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_wins_army_award|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304094758/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_wins_army_award|archive-date=March 4, 2012|access-date=January 16, 2011|publisher=News & Observer}}{{Cite web|date=2009-04-03|title=MacArthur Leadership Awards |url=http://www.armyg1.army.mil/macarthur/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403103715/http://www.armyg1.army.mil/macarthur/|archive-date=2009-04-03|access-date=2020-03-11}}

Cunningham is a recipient of a Jaycees' Distinguished Service Award.{{cite web |url=https://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030507/NEWS/305070310/1005/NEWS01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303194142/https://www.the-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20030507%2FNEWS%2F305070310%2F1005%2FNEWS01 |title=Jaycees honor five people for service to community |author=Cherriece Wright |publisher=The-Dispatch.com |date=May 7, 2003 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 11, 2020 }}

In 2007, Cunningham was selected for a Marshall Memorial Fellowship.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20061213/NEWS/612130358 |title=People in Business |publisher=The-Dispatch.com |access-date=January 16, 2011 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716221552/http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20061213/NEWS/612130358 |url-status=dead }}

Cunningham and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children.{{cite news |last1=Buck |first1=Rebecca |title=Democratic Senate candidate in North Carolina confirms romantic texts with woman who isn't his wife |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/03/politics/cal-cunningham-texts-north-carolina/index.html |access-date=21 July 2022 |work=CNN |date=October 3, 2020}}{{cite news|first=Gary D.|last=Robertson|url=https://apnews.com/article/senate-elections-north-carolina-archive-cal-cunningham-dea469d30c56cfada78244a8af6065b3|title=N. Carolina Senate race upended by sexting, virus diagnosis|work=Associated Press|date=October 3, 2020}} As of September 2020, he was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church.{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Murphy|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article246090170.html|title=Cunningham says Supreme Court vacancy should wait, but he'd meet with Amy Coney Barrett|newspaper=News & Observer|date=September 29, 2020}}

In October 2020, it was reported that Cunningham had exchanged sexually suggestive messages with a married woman who was not his wife. Cunningham confirmed the texts were authentic and apologized for his behavior. The woman, Arlene Guzman Todd, stated that she had a consensual physical relationship with Cunningham in 2020.{{cite news |last1=Arkin |first1=James |title=Cal Cunningham under fire after more texts revealed |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/06/cal-cunningham-texts-scandal-426971 |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=Politico |date=October 6, 2020 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Copp |first1=Tara |last2=Murphy |first2=Brian |last3=Alexander |first3=Ames |title=After woman confirms affair, her husband calls on Cunningham to drop out of NC Senate race |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article246280130.html |access-date=9 October 2020 |publisher=News & Observer |date=October 7, 2020}} The Army Reserve started an investigation into Cunningham.{{cite news |last1=Specht |first1=Paul |title=Army Reserve investigating Cunningham after woman confirms affair, more texts emerge|url=https://www.wral.com/army-reserve-investigating-cunningham-after-woman-confirms-affair-more-texts-emerge/19323479/ |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=WRAL.com |date=6 October 2020 |language=en}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina Senate 23rd District, 2000 General Election{{Cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2000_11_07/results_by_contest_20001107.txt|title=November 7, 2000 General – Results by Contest |date=November 7, 2000|website=er.ncsbe.gov|publisher=North Carolina Board of Elections|access-date=March 10, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Cal Cunningham|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=27,726|percentage=53.37%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=John Scott Keadle|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=23,095|percentage=44.45%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Lawrence James Clark|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|votes=1,131|percentage=2.18%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=51,952|percentage=100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 United States Senate election in North Carolina, Democratic primary{{Cite web|url=https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/04/2010&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=1120|title=NC SBE Contest Results|website=er.ncsbe.gov|publisher=North Carolina Board of Elections|access-date=March 10, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Elaine Marshall|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=154,605|percentage=36.35%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Cal Cunningham|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=115,851|percentage=27.24%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Ken Lewis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=72,510|percentage=17.05%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Marcus W. Williams|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=35,984|percentage=8.46%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Susan Harris|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=29,738|percentage=6.99%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Ann Worthy|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=16,655|percentage=3.92%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=425,343|percentage=100}}

{{Election box end}}Since no candidate received 40% of the vote in the primary, state law allowed a runoff election if requested by the second-place finisher. Cunningham requested such a runoff.{{cite web |title=News & Observer: Cunningham wants a runoff |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_wants_a_runoff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401164140/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/cunningham_wants_a_runoff |archive-date=April 1, 2012 |accessdate=March 10, 2020 |publisher=Projects.newsobserver.com |df=mdy-all}}{{Election box begin no change|title=2010 United States Senate election in North Carolina, Democratic primary runoff{{Cite web|url=https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=06/22/2010&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=1005|title=NC SBE Contest Results|website=er.ncsbe.gov|publisher=North Carolina Board of Elections|access-date=March 10, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Elaine Marshall|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=95,390|percentage=59.96%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Cal Cunningham|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=63,691|percentage=40.04%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=159,081|percentage=100}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina, Democratic primary{{cite web |title=NC SBE Contest Results |url=https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=FED&contest=2867 |website=er.ncsbe.gov |publisher=North Carolina Board of Elections |accessdate=March 10, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Cal Cunningham|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=713,234|percentage=57.00%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Erica D. Smith|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=434,921|percentage=34.76%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Trevor M. Fuller|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=47,632|percentage=3.81%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Steve Swenson|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=33,481|percentage=2.68%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Atul Goel|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=22,016|percentage=1.76%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=1,251,284|percentage=100}}

{{Election box end}}{{Election box begin|title=2020 United States Senate election in North Carolina{{cite web |title=State Composite Abstract Report |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/State_Board_Meeting_Docs/2020-11-24/Canvass/State%20Composite%20Abstract%20Report%20-%20Contest.pdf |website=North Carolina State Board of Elections |access-date=November 24, 2020}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Republican Party (United States)|candidate=Thom Tillis (incumbent)|votes=2,665,598|percentage=48.69%|change=-0.13%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Democratic Party (United States)|candidate=Cal Cunningham|votes=2,569,965|percentage=46.94%|change=-0.32%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=Shannon Bray|votes=171,571|percentage=3.13%|change=-0.61%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Constitution Party (United States)|candidate=Kevin E. Hayes|votes=67,818|percentage=1.24%|change=N/A}}

{{Election box total|votes=5,474,952|percentage=100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing|winner=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{commons category}}

{{Portal|Biography}}

• [https://www.calcunninghamnc.com/ Cunningham Law]

{{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=40999 | congress= | fec=S0NC00202 }}

• {{Ballotpedia}}
• {{C-SPAN|1033969}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-nc-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=Jim Phillips Sr.}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 23rd district|years=2001–2003}}

{{s-aft|after=Eleanor Kinnaird}}

|-

{{s-ppo}}

{{s-bef|before=Kay Hagan}}

{{s-ttl|title=Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from North Carolina
(Class 2)|years=2020}}

{{s-inc|recent}}

{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cunningham, Cal}}

Category:1973 births

Category:Alumni of the London School of Economics

Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War

Category:Living people

Category:North Carolina lawyers

Category:Democratic Party North Carolina state senators

Category:People from Lexington, North Carolina

Category:People from Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni

Category:University of North Carolina School of Law alumni

Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States Senate elections

Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly