Cal Cunningham

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on May 21, 2009 - 1:49pm.
Tags:

Office District Status
N.C. Senator Former
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat
Level of Government  
N.C. Senate  
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
August 6, 1973 Winston-Salem, NC Lexington, NC

Synopsis

Cal Cunningham is a former state senator and a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010. A Lexington attorney, he prosecuted military contractors in Iraq as a member of the Army Reserves and now works for white-shoe law firm Kilpatrick Stockton. He served one term in the state Senate before redistricting put him into a heavily Republican district. 

Trivia

He and his wife do long-distance running.

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Elizabeth
Children
Daughter, Caroline, and son, Will

Cal Cunningham is a former state senator and potential candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 2010.

Early Life and Education 

James Calvin Cunningham III was born Aug. 6, 1973, in Winston-Salem to Calvin and Julee Cunningham. His father was an attorney; his mother, an office manager.

His family moved to Lexington when he was a year old.

He graduated from Forsyth Country Day School in 1991.

He went to Vanderbilt University and American University before graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1996 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and political science.

He then earned a master of science in public policy and public administration at the London School of Economics in 1997.

He then earned a law degree from UNC in December of 1999.

Professional Career

After graduation, he began practicing law in Lexington.

In 2004, he joined the Winston-Salem office of white-shoe law firm Kilpatrick Stockton, handling commercial litigation.

Military Service

In 1999, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserves, switching to the Army Reserves after Sept. 11.  

In 2005, he served on active duty at Fort Bragg.

From 2007 to 2008, he was on active duty in Iraq, where he worked as a military prosecutor as part of a team that prosecuted U.S. Department of Defense contractors on such charges as assault and illegal gun shipments. 

He was awarded the Bronze Star for his work in Iraq and in 2009 received the Gen. Douglas MacArthur award for leadership.

Political Career 

While still in law school, he campaigned for the state Senate, winning an open seat in November of 2000. 

He served on all three Senate committees on education and as vice chairman of the Senate judiciary committee.

After redistricting in 2002, Cunningham declined to run for re-election after he found himself in a mostly Republican district.

In 2009, he announced that he was considering a run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. 

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith. 

Occupation





Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info



Education

bachelor of arts
UNC-Chapel Hill
Graduated: 1996		 master of science
London School of Economics
Graduated: 1997		 juris doctorate
UNC-Chapel Hill
Graduated: 1999

Military

Years of service:
1999-2008		 Branch:
Reserve

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