Paul Stam
{{short description|American politician from North Carolina}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = Representative
| name = Paul "Skip" Stam
| honorific-suffix =
| image = Rep Paul Stam.jpg
| imagesize = 180px
| office = Speaker pro tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives
| term_start = January 1, 2013
| term_end = January 1, 2017
| leader = Thom Tillis
Tim Moore
| predecessor = Dale Folwell
| successor = Sarah Stevens
| office1 = Majority Leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives
| term_start1 = January 1, 2011
| term_end1 = January 1, 2013
| leader1 = Thom Tillis
| predecessor1 = Hugh Holliman
| successor1 = Edgar Starnes
| office2 = Minority Leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives
| term_start2 = January 1, 2007
| term_end2 = January 1, 2011
| predecessor2 = Joe Kiser
| successor2 = Joe Hackney
| office3 = Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
| term_start3 = January 1, 2003
| term_end3 = January 1, 2017
| predecessor3 = Constituency established
| successor3 = Linda Hunt Williams
| constituency3 = 37th District
| term_start4 = January 1, 1989
| term_end4 = January 1, 1991
| preceded4 = William M. Freeman
| succeeded4 = Larry M. Jordan
| constituency4 = 62nd District
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|9|5}}
| birth_place = Princeton, New Jersey
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| spouse = Dottie
| party = Republican
| relations =
| children = 2
| residence = Apex, North Carolina
| alma_mater = Michigan State University (BS)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (JD)
| occupation = Attorney
| profession =
| signature =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
Paul B. "Skip" Stam Jr. (born September 5, 1950) was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's 37th House district, including constituents in Wake County. An attorney from Apex, North Carolina, Stam was elected to his seventh (non-consecutive) term in the state House of Representatives in 2012. He was first elected in 1988, but was defeated for re-election in 1990. He ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate and for the North Carolina Court of Appeals (in 1998 and 2000) before being elected to the House again in 2002.{{Cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=23843 | title=Our Campaigns - NC State House 37 Race - Nov 05, 2002}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=797106 |title = Our Campaigns - NC State House 037 Race - Nov 04, 2014}}[http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/paul_stam News & Observer profile page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411025000/http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/paul_stam |date=2010-04-11 }}
Tenure
Stam won re-election from the 37th district in the 2004 election, defeating Libertarian H. Wade Minter in the November general election. In 2006, Stam was unsuccessfully challenged by Ed Ridpath (vote count: Stam 15,459 votes, Ridpath 11,628).
In December 2006, Stam and Rep. Fred Steen ran for House Republican Leader after Joe Kiser stepped down from the position.http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/522958.html{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Stam was elected by his fellow House Republicans to the post. After Republicans won a majority in the state House in the 2010 elections, Stam lost a vote to become the party's nominee for Speaker of the House to Representative Thom Tillis, but was elected Majority Leader instead.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/816668/a-political-newcomer-ready-to.html |title=GOP picks political newcomer to lead NC House - State - NewsObserver.com |accessdate=2010-11-22 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123152131/http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/11/21/816668/a-political-newcomer-ready-to.html |archivedate=2010-11-23 }} Following the 2012 elections, Stam was elected Speaker Pro Tempore, taking office in Jan. 2013.[https://archive.today/20130411223145/http://www.thedigitalcourier.com/news/x1506654456/Tillis-unanimously-elected-Speaker-of-NC-House Tillis unanimously elected Speaker of NC House]
At the close of the 2015 legislative session, Stam announced his intent to retire at the conclusion of the 2016 legislative session.{{cite news| url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article37017936.html | work=News & Observer | first=Collin | last=Campbell | title=NC Rep. Paul Stam won't seek reelection in 2016 | date=September 30, 2015}} The American Conservative Union gave him a lifetime legislative score of 93%.
=Controversies=
In February 2013, Stam drew criticism from news media when he maneuvered the House Rules Committee into giving an "unfavorable report" on a bill to stop arresting medical patients who use marijuana, prohibiting consideration of any similar measure for two years. After spending a total of 20 minutes on the bill, Stam accused constituents of harassing him and other legislators by sending them emails and phone calls encouraging them to vote for the bill.{{cite news | url=http://www.wral.com/house-committee-kills-medical-marijuana-bill/12131140/ |title=House Committee Kills Medical Marijuana Bill |date=February 20, 2013 |author=Mark Binker |work=WRAL TV's @NC Capitol blog}}{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/22/north-carolina-medical-marijuana_n_2741662.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Nicholas | last=Wing | title=State Lawmakers Kill Medical Marijuana Bill To Avoid Harassment | date=February 22, 2013}} The nonprofit Marijuana Policy Project replied, "Despite what Rep. Stam said, elected officials need to hear from their constituents."{{cite web |url=http://blog.mpp.org/medical-marijuana/north-carolina-rep-thinks-public-engagement-is-harassment/02222013/ |title=North Carolina Rep. Thinks Public Engagement Is Harassment |date=February 22, 2013 |author=Robert Capecchi |work=Marijuana Policy Project blog |access-date=2013-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225071902/http://blog.mpp.org/medical-marijuana/north-carolina-rep-thinks-public-engagement-is-harassment/02222013/ |archive-date=2013-02-25 |url-status=dead }}
In June 2014, in the course of a debate over a proposal to prohibit charter schools from discriminating in hiring or admissions on the grounds of "sexual orientation or gender identity," Stam passed out a handout describing pedophilia, necrophilia and bestiality as "sexual orientations" (the language was taken from an obsolete edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). "Many, many sexual orientations are not ones you want to have teaching kids in school. You may think you know what you mean by this, but you don't," Stam said. He refused to further explain the list, which he had previously passed around when arguing against including sexual orientation in the state's statute against school bullying in 2010. Speaker Tillis' office later issued a statement characterizing Stam's remarks as "not helpful".[http://www.wral.com/stam-calls-pedophilia-bestiality-sexual-orientations-/13762098/#L6Eqrrp3Jyu1st39.99 Leslie, Laura. "Stam calls pedophilia, sadism 'sexual orientations'" June 24-25, 2014 WRAL.com]
In March, 2016 Stam co-sponsored Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, commonly known as House Bill 2.{{cite news| url=http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2015E2/Bills/House/PDF/H2v2.pdf | title=Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act | date=March 23, 2016}}
Electoral history
=2014=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2014[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1221] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 20,972
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 20,972
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2012=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2012[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1219] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 24,942
| percentage = 57.01%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Jason Ora Wunsch
| votes = 18,809
| percentage = 42.99%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 43,751
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2010=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2010[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1215] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 24,937
| percentage = 64.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Debra McHenry
| votes = 14,028
| percentage = 36.00%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 38,965
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2008=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2008[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1222] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 32,172
| percentage = 53.91%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ed Ridpath
| votes = 27,503
| percentage = 46.09%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 59,675
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2006=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2006[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/07/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=190] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 15,459
| percentage = 57.07%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = Ed Ridpath
| votes = 11,628
| percentage = 42.93%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 27,087
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2004=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2004[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=196] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam (incumbent)
| votes = 29,596
| percentage = 85.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = H. Wade Minter
| votes = 5,064
| percentage = 14.61%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 34,660
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
=2002=
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district Republican primary election, 2002[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=09/10/2002&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=50] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam
| votes = 2,457
| percentage = 57.87%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Kenn Gardner
| votes = 1,789
| percentage = 42.13%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 4,246
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change|title=North Carolina House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2002[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2002&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=204] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Paul Stam
| votes = 15,647
| percentage = 59.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = J. C. Knowles
| votes = 9,700
| percentage = 36.61%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| candidate = Brad Wheeler
| votes = 1,152
| percentage = 4.35%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 26,499
| percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box new seat win
| winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=House&nUserID=309 NCGA bio page]
- [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=41366 Project Vote Smart]
- [http://paulstam.com/ Website]
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-nc-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=William M. Freeman}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 62nd district|years=1989–1991}}
{{s-aft|after=Larry M. Jordan}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Hugh Holliman}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 37th district|years=2003–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Linda Hunt Williams}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Joe Kiser}}
{{s-ttl|title=Minority Leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives|years=2007–2011}}
{{s-aft|after=Joe Hackney}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Hugh Holliman}}
{{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the North Carolina House of Representatives|years=2011–2013}}
{{s-aft|after=Edgar Starnes}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Dale Folwell}}
{{s-ttl|title=Speaker pro tempore of the North Carolina House of Representatives|years=2013–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Sarah Stevens}}
{{s-end}}
{{North Carolina House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stam, Paul}}
Category:Politicians from Princeton, New Jersey
Category:People from Apex, North Carolina
Category:Michigan State University alumni
Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni
Category:20th-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly
Category:Republican Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly