Creigh Deeds
Encyclopedia
Robert Creigh Deeds is an American politician who was the Democratic
nominee for Governor of Virginia
in 2009. He also ran in the 2005 race for Attorney General of Virginia
. He was defeated in both of the above races by Bob McDonnell
. Deeds lost by just 323 votes in 2005, but was defeated by a wide margin of almost 18 percentage points in 2009. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from 1992 to 2001 and has served in the Senate of Virginia
since December 2001.
and was named after confederate
war hero, David Creigh. His family moved early in his life to Bath County
. After graduating from high school, Deeds enrolled in Concord College
. He then entered the Wake Forest University School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor
in 1984.
A Washington Post article published April 12, 2010 revealed that Deeds and his wife Pam had divorced as of February 4, (as the Washington Post described) "a casualty of a nearly 20-year pursuit of a lifelong ambition that kept him away from home".
in a 57%-41% victory. This started a nine-year career in the Virginia House of Delegates.
In the House of Delegates, Deeds introduced several legislative proposals, including introducing Megan's Law
to the Virginia General Assembly, which was passed in 1998. Other legislation promoted by Deeds include environmental protection and anti-drug laws.
, who had died of pancreatic cancer
.
During Deeds' Senate tenure, legislation that Deeds proposed includes:
Deeds was also a proponent of a Senate resolution to close Virginia's so-called "gun show loophole", and made public appearances to generate support for the measure.
—each announced that they planned to run for Attorney General of Virginia
in the Democratic primary
. Edwards later decided not to run, leaving Deeds as the sole candidate for the Democratic nomination for the office.
In the general election campaign, running against Republican nominee Bob McDonnell, Deeds ran on his record as a moderate
Democrat who supported gun rights, strong punishment for criminals, and the death penalty. Deeds' stance on gun control included supporting a ban on semi-automatic firearm
s, but that did not prevent him from earning the endorsement of the NRA
, which cited his patronage of a state constitutional amendment that guaranteed the right to hunt. McDonnell outspent Deeds by almost three million dollars (McDonnell spent $5,962,067 to Deeds' $3,103,585); $2,084,089 of McDonnell's campaign contributions were funneled through the Republican State Leadership Committee, exploiting a loophole in state law that was closed by the General Assembly shortly after the election.
The initial result of the vote was 49.96%-49.95%, with Deeds behind by fewer than 350 votes. Due to the closeness of the race's outcome, Deeds asked for a recount. Judge Theodore Markow of Richmond set the recount for December 20, 2005, a date so close to the inauguration
that invitations to the event were mailed without a name for the Attorney General to be inaugurated. The recount reaffirmed the earlier outcome, and McDonnell became Attorney General.
chair Terry McAuliffe
and former State Delegate Brian Moran, Deeds won by a large margin, taking about 50 percent of the vote in the June 9, 2009 Democratic Primary. He again faced McDonnell
, the Republican
nominee, in the November 2009 general election. McDonnell was selected at his party's nominating convention
. Deeds lost the gubernatorial race by a wide margin to McDonnell, 41.25% to 58.61%.
, to whom he also lost in the 2009 Gubernatorial race.
Democratic Party of Virginia
The Democratic Party of Virginia is based in Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is affiliated with the national Democratic Party of the United States. The organization is governed by a State Party Plan, which guarantees an open and fair candidate selection process...
nominee for Governor of Virginia
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
in 2009. He also ran in the 2005 race for Attorney General of Virginia
Attorney General of Virginia
The Attorney General of Virginia is an executive office in the Government of Virginia. Attorneys General are elected for a four-year term in the year following a presidential election . There are no term limits restricting the number of terms someone can serve as Attorney General...
. He was defeated in both of the above races by Bob McDonnell
Bob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
. Deeds lost by just 323 votes in 2005, but was defeated by a wide margin of almost 18 percentage points in 2009. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
from 1992 to 2001 and has served in the Senate of Virginia
Senate of Virginia
The Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
since December 2001.
Personal life
Deeds was born on January 4, 1958 in Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
and was named after confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
war hero, David Creigh. His family moved early in his life to Bath County
Bath County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...
. After graduating from high school, Deeds enrolled in Concord College
Concord University
Concord University is a comprehensive, public, liberal arts institution located in Athens, West Virginia, United States, founded on February 28, 1872, when the West Virginia Legislature passed "an Act to locate a Branch State Normal School, in Concord Church, in the County of Mercer".Founded by...
. He then entered the Wake Forest University School of Law, from which he received his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1984.
A Washington Post article published April 12, 2010 revealed that Deeds and his wife Pam had divorced as of February 4, (as the Washington Post described) "a casualty of a nearly 20-year pursuit of a lifelong ambition that kept him away from home".
House of Delegates
Deeds won election to the Virginia House of Delegates 1991 by defeating incumbent Emmett HangerEmmett Hanger
Emmett Wilson Hanger, Jr. is an American politician of the Republican Party. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1983 to 1991, when he was unseated by Creigh Deeds. Since 1996 he has been a member of the Senate of Virginia. He currently represents the 24th district...
in a 57%-41% victory. This started a nine-year career in the Virginia House of Delegates.
In the House of Delegates, Deeds introduced several legislative proposals, including introducing Megan's Law
Megan's Law
Megan's Law is an informal name for laws in the United States requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. Individual states decide what information will be made available and how it should be disseminated...
to the Virginia General Assembly, which was passed in 1998. Other legislation promoted by Deeds include environmental protection and anti-drug laws.
State Senate
Deeds won a special state senate election in 2001 to succeed Emily CouricEmily Couric
Emily Couric was a Virginia Democratic state senator from Charlottesville.Couric was born to Elinor Couric, a homemaker and part-time writer, and John Martin Couric, a public relations executive and news editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the United Press in Washington, D.C....
, who had died of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
.
During Deeds' Senate tenure, legislation that Deeds proposed includes:
- SB150 - Requires that direct recording electronic devices be equipped to produce a contemporaneous paper record of each vote that can be verified by the voter and used in recounts. (2006)
- SB891 - Requires the board of visitors of each public two-year and four-year institution of higher education to provide reduced in-state tuition rates for the children of faculty and staff members employed by the institution, effective for the 2008-2009 academic year. (2007) Not enacted, rolled into SB982 and left in the Senate Finance Committee.
- SB34 - Increases the mandatory retirement age for judges from age 70 to age 75. (2008)
- SB669 - Permits ABC agents to check the national criminal database when conducting background checks on prospective licensees. (2008)
Deeds was also a proponent of a Senate resolution to close Virginia's so-called "gun show loophole", and made public appearances to generate support for the measure.
Attorney General campaign
In 2005, Deeds and John Edwards—a Virginia state senator from RoanokeRoanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
—each announced that they planned to run for Attorney General of Virginia
Attorney General of Virginia
The Attorney General of Virginia is an executive office in the Government of Virginia. Attorneys General are elected for a four-year term in the year following a presidential election . There are no term limits restricting the number of terms someone can serve as Attorney General...
in the Democratic primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
. Edwards later decided not to run, leaving Deeds as the sole candidate for the Democratic nomination for the office.
In the general election campaign, running against Republican nominee Bob McDonnell, Deeds ran on his record as a moderate
Moderate
In politics and religion, a moderate is an individual who is not extreme, partisan or radical. In recent years, political moderates has gained traction as a buzzword....
Democrat who supported gun rights, strong punishment for criminals, and the death penalty. Deeds' stance on gun control included supporting a ban on semi-automatic firearm
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
s, but that did not prevent him from earning the endorsement of the NRA
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
, which cited his patronage of a state constitutional amendment that guaranteed the right to hunt. McDonnell outspent Deeds by almost three million dollars (McDonnell spent $5,962,067 to Deeds' $3,103,585); $2,084,089 of McDonnell's campaign contributions were funneled through the Republican State Leadership Committee, exploiting a loophole in state law that was closed by the General Assembly shortly after the election.
The initial result of the vote was 49.96%-49.95%, with Deeds behind by fewer than 350 votes. Due to the closeness of the race's outcome, Deeds asked for a recount. Judge Theodore Markow of Richmond set the recount for December 20, 2005, a date so close to the inauguration
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
that invitations to the event were mailed without a name for the Attorney General to be inaugurated. The recount reaffirmed the earlier outcome, and McDonnell became Attorney General.
Gubernatorial campaign
Deeds announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for governor on December 13, 2007. At the end of a close three-way race against former DNCDNC
DNC may refer to:*Daigaku Nyūshi Center, a Japanese Independent Administrative Institution which administers the National Center Test for University Admissions...
chair Terry McAuliffe
Terry McAuliffe
Terence Richard "Terry" McAuliffe is a longtime leader and political advisor for the United States Democratic Party. He served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2005. He served as Co-Chairman of President William Jefferson Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign and also...
and former State Delegate Brian Moran, Deeds won by a large margin, taking about 50 percent of the vote in the June 9, 2009 Democratic Primary. He again faced McDonnell
Bob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
, the Republican
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...
nominee, in the November 2009 general election. McDonnell was selected at his party's nominating convention
Political convention
In politics, a political convention is a meeting of a political party, typically to select party candidates.In the United States, a political convention usually refers to a presidential nominating convention, but it can also refer to state, county, or congressional district nominating conventions...
. Deeds lost the gubernatorial race by a wide margin to McDonnell, 41.25% to 58.61%.
Electoral history
To date, both of the elections Creigh Deeds has lost were to his 2005 Attorney General opponent Bob McDonnellBob McDonnell
Robert Francis "Bob" McDonnell is an American politician who has been the 71st Governor of Virginia since January 2010. A former lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, McDonnell served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2006 and served as Attorney General of Virginia from 2006...
, to whom he also lost in the 2009 Gubernatorial race.
Taxes
- Deeds has stated that he will not make a no-tax-increase pledge and wrote in the Washington Post that he would support a new gas tax to fund transportation.
- In January 2009, Deeds proposed up to a $10,000 tax creditTax creditA tax credit is a sum deducted from the total amount a taxpayer owes to the state. A tax credit may be granted for various types of taxes, such as an income tax, property tax, or VAT. It may be granted in recognition of taxes already paid, as a subsidy, or to encourage investment or other behaviors...
for businesses that made "job-creating investments." - Deeds supported exemption of the sales tax on the purchase of solar or wind energy systems for homeowners.
- Deeds voted for a bill in the State Senate which would raise the Virginia gas tax 0.06$ per gallon over the next 6 years.
- Deeds is in favor of giving tax credits to businesses that produce green jobsGreen-collar workerA green-collar worker is a worker who is employed in the environmental sectors of the economy. Environmental green-collar workers satisfy the demand for green development. Generally, they implement environmentally conscious design, policy, and technology to improve conservation and sustainability...
.
Consumer advocacy
- Deeds is in favor of tougher sanctions on lenders that deal subprime mortgagesSubprime lendingIn finance, subprime lending means making loans to people who may have difficulty maintaining the repayment schedule...
.
Death penalty
- Deeds supports removing the "trigger-man" clause, which restricts the death penaltyCapital punishmentCapital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
to those who physically committed the action, in Virginia capital punishment law. - In 2005, Deeds said that he disagreed with the Supreme CourtSupreme Court of the United StatesThe Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
ruling making it unconstitutional to execute juveniles. He argued that it was the jury's duty to determine when and where the death penalty should come into play.
Gay marriage
- In 2006, Deeds was part of the unanimous Democratic coalition that voted to oppose an amendment to the Virginia State Constitution that would ban same-sex marriageSame-sex marriageSame-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. - Deeds announced he would be voting against the above amendment because he said that the Amendment went too far in its definition of marriage.
- In July 2009, Deeds stated he believes "Marriage is between a man and a woman" and declined to say gay marriage is a civil right.
Gun control
- Deeds was endorsed by the NRANational Rifle AssociationThe National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
during his 2005 Attorney General run over Republican Bob McDonnell. In the 2009 gubernatorial race, the NRA endorsed McDonnell. - Deeds proposed a measure, which ultimately failed, that would eliminate private sales at gun showGun showA gun show is a temporary exhibition or gathering in the United States where firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, literature, knives, jerky, militaria, and miscellaneous collectibles are displayed, bought, sold, traded, and discussed. Gun shows also often include exhibitions related to...
s. The bill's proponents called it a measure to prevent another disaster like the Virginia Tech massacreVirginia Tech massacreThe Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
even though the shooter purchased his firearms from licensed gun dealers and not at a gun show. - Deeds supports a state ban on the civilian ownership of assault weaponAssault weaponAssault weapon is a non-technical term referring to any of a broad category of firearms with certain features, including some semiautomatic rifles, some pistols, and some shotguns. There are a variety of different statutory definitions of assault weapons in local, state, and federal laws in the...
s. - Deeds signed a pledge to repeal the law that allows citizens to buy one gun a month.
- Deeds has voted multiple times against Castle Doctrine bills
- In January 2011, Deeds voted against Senate Bill 876 (Castle Doctrine) which would have allowed “a lawful occupant use of physical force, including deadly force, against an intruder in his dwelling who has committed an overt act against him, without civil liability.”
- In February 2011, Deeds was one of eight senators on the Senate Courts of Justice Committee who “passed by indefinitely” House Bill 1573, defeating the bill by an 8 to 4 margin.
Illegal Immigration
- Deeds voted to designate English as the official language of the Commonwealth.
- Deeds voted to make undocumented immigrants ineligible for state and local benefits.
- Deeds voted against a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates.
2010 Redistricting
- Deeds introduced SB926 to create a 7-member non-partisan committee to oversee the 2010-2011 Redistricting plan. In 2009, the Bill passed the State SenateSenate of VirginiaThe Senate of Virginia is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly. The Senate is composed of 40 Senators representing an equal number of single-member constituent districts. The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia...
39-0, but was killed by the House of DelegatesVirginia House of DelegatesThe Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
' Committee on Privileges and Elections. In 2010, the bill once again passed the Senate with unanimous vote of 40-0 before once again being killed in committee by the House of Delegates
- Deeds has said that, if elected Governor of Virginia, he would use his veto power and amendment powers to try and force the House of Delegates into accepting a version of SB926.
Education
- Deeds' gubernatorial campaign has issued a plan called "Better Schools. Better Jobs" to detail Deeds' plans regarding education. The plan calls for up to $15,000 in student loans for 4-year college students, and for creating partnerships with community collegeCommunity collegeA community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
s and traditional universities.
Transportation
- Deeds was criticized by the McDonnell campaign for lacking a coherent transportation plan. During the second debate between the candidates, McDonnell held up a blank sheet of paper as a representation of the Deeds plan.
- Deeds later wrote a column in the Washington Post laying out his plan, which includes the possibility of a new gas tax or other tax.