Alan Nunnelee
Encyclopedia
Patrick Alan Nunnelee is the U.S. Representative
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
. He formerly served as the Mississippi State Senator for District 6.
, in Lee County
, Mississippi
, on October 9, 1958. Nunnelee graduated from Clinton High School
in Clinton, MS in 1976 and then attended Mississippi State University
, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1980. While a student at MSU he lost much of his eyesight to a degenerative eye disease. Although legally blind he continued his studies. His sight was restored after receiving cornea transplants.
Before beginning his political career he was a popular speaker, crediting God, organ donors, and organizations such as the Lions Club for having his eyesight restored.
following Wicker’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives
. From January 2008 to January 2011, Nunnelee served as the Chair of the state senate’s appropriations committee.
was third with 15 percent.
In the November 2010 election, Nunnelee defeated Democratic incumbent Travis Childers
. Constitutionalist Gail Giaramita, Independent Conservative Party candidate Wally Pang of Batesville, Libertarian Harold Taylor, and Reformist Barbara Dale Washer also ran.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for . He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. He formerly served as the Mississippi State Senator for District 6.
Early life
Nunnelee was born in TupeloTupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo is the largest city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Mississippi, smaller than Meridian, and larger than Greenville. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city's population was 34,211...
, in Lee County
Lee County, Mississippi
-National protected areas:* Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site* Natchez Trace Parkway * Tupelo National Battlefield-History:On September 20, 1816, General Andrew Jackson, David Meriwether, and the Chickasaw Nation signed the Treaty of Chickasaw Council House in Lee County.Lee County was...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, on October 9, 1958. Nunnelee graduated from Clinton High School
Clinton High School (Clinton, Mississippi)
Clinton High School is a secondary school located in Clinton, Mississippi.-Administration :Superintendent: Dr. Phllip G. BurchfieldPrincipal: Dr. Eddie J...
in Clinton, MS in 1976 and then attended Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1980. While a student at MSU he lost much of his eyesight to a degenerative eye disease. Although legally blind he continued his studies. His sight was restored after receiving cornea transplants.
Business career
Nunnelee was employed by American Funeral Assurance Co., eventually becoming vice president of sales and marketing. His father was also employed by the company, rising to president and CEO. In 1996, Nunnelee and his father founded Allied Funeral Associates, Inc. and Allied Funeral Associates Insurance Company and he has served as Vice-President and Director of both entities.Before beginning his political career he was a popular speaker, crediting God, organ donors, and organizations such as the Lions Club for having his eyesight restored.
Mississippi Senate
Nunnelee was elected to the Mississippi State Senate in 1994 to replace Roger WickerRoger Wicker
Roger Frederick Wicker is the junior U.S. Senator from Mississippi and a member of the Republican Party. In December 2007 he was appointed by Governor Haley Barbour to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott. He subsequently won the 2008 special election for the remainder of the term. Wicker served...
following Wicker’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. From January 2008 to January 2011, Nunnelee served as the Chair of the state senate’s appropriations committee.
2010 election
In the Republican primary for , Nunnelee, the perceived front-runner in the three-way race, won 52 percent of the vote. Henry Ross was second with 33 percent, and Angela McGlowanAngela McGlowan
Angela McGlowan is a political commentator and CEO of Political Strategies & Insights , a government affairs, political strategy, public relations, and advocacy consulting firm based in Oxford, Mississippi, with an office in Washington, D.C...
was third with 15 percent.
In the November 2010 election, Nunnelee defeated Democratic incumbent Travis Childers
Travis Childers
Travis Wayne Childers is the former U.S. Representative from , serving from the 2008 special election until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes much of the northern portion of the state including New Albany, Columbus, Oxford, Southaven, and Tupelo...
. Constitutionalist Gail Giaramita, Independent Conservative Party candidate Wally Pang of Batesville, Libertarian Harold Taylor, and Reformist Barbara Dale Washer also ran.
Committee assignments
- Committee on AppropriationsUnited States House Committee on AppropriationsThe Committee on Appropriations is a committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money by the government of the United States...
- Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
- Subcommittee on Energy and Water DevelopmentUnited States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water DevelopmentThe House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies is a standing subcommittee within the House Appropriations Committee.-Members, 112th Congress:-External links:* Official page...
- Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Diabetes Caucus
- Congressional Prayer Caucus
- Immigration Reform Caucus
- International Conservation CaucusUnited States Congressional International Conservation CaucusThe U.S. Congressional International Conservation Caucus is a bipartisan congressional organization that was founded in September 2003 with the conviction that “the United States of America has the opportunity, the obligation and the interests to advance the conservation of natural resources for...
- Sportsmen's Caucus
Personal life
Nunnelee married Tori Bedells of Clinton, MS, a graduate of University of Southern Mississippi Nursing School. They have three children: Reed Nunnelee (Flowood, MS), Emily Nunnelee (Mississippi State) and Nathan Nunnelee (Mississippi State).External links
- Alan Nunnelee at the Mississippi State Senate
- Congressman Alan Nunnelee official U.S. House site
- Nunnelee for Congress official campaign site