John Kavanagh (American politician)

For the Newfoundland politician, see John Kavanagh (Newfoundland politician).
John Kavanagh
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 23rd[1] district
Assumed office
January 15, 2015
Preceded by Michele Reagan
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 23rd[2] district
In office
January 14, 2013  January 15, 2015
Serving with Michelle Ugenti
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 8th district
In office
January 8, 2007  January 14, 2013
Serving with Michele Reagan (2007–2011)
Michelle Ugenti (2011–2013)
Preceded by Colette Rosati
Personal details
Born June 5, 1950
Queens, New York, U.S.
Nationality American
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Linda Kavanagh
Residence Fountain Hills, Arizona
Alma mater New York University
St. John's University
Rutgers University
Profession police officer

John Kavanagh[3] (born June 5, 1950[4]) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Arizona Senate representing District 23 since January 12, 2015. Previously Kavanagh served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives representing District 23 from January 14, 2013 to January 12, 2015, and (due to redistricting) representing District 8 from January 8, 2007 until January 14, 2013. He was a police officer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and retired as a detective sergeant, after 20 years of service. He is currently a professor of criminal justice at Scottsdale Community College (AZ), where he is Program Director of the Administration of Justice Studies and Forensic Science Programs. He is married to Linda with two children and one grandchild.

Education and early life

The son of an Irish immigrant, he was born in Queens, New York.[5]

Kavanagh earned his BA in liberal arts from New York University, his MA in government from St. John's University, and his PhD in criminal justice from Rutgers University.

Elections

News comments

John Kavanagh recently made news for his controversial comment on inmate Regan Clarine being asked to treat her C-section with sugar. He reportedly commented "That doesn't sound like a true allegation. That sounds ridiculous. Prisoners have 24/7 to think of allegations and write letters. I'm not saying that some of them can't have a basis in fact, but you gotta take them with a grain of salt, or, in the case of the hospital, maybe a grain of sugar."[16][17]

Kavanagh was the lead sponsor of a bill to remove the name of Balbir Singh Sodhi from the state's memorial to the victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[18] Claiming that Sodhi, who was murdered four days after the attacks by a white supremacist seeking revenge for the 9/11 attacks, was "not a victim of 9/11," Kavanagh further stated “It’s part of a myth that, following 9/11, Americans went into a xenophobic rage against foreigners. That’s not true. America’s reaction towards foreigners was commendable.”[18] The bill passed, but was vetoed and did not take effect.[19]

Kavanagh also sponsored a bill to make it illegal, even during your own interaction, to record the police within twenty feet. [20]

Kavanagh is also known for introducing the failed "Arizona Transgender Bathroom Bill" which caught the attention of media across the country. This proposed bill would have criminalized Transgender people for using the correct bathroom. Kavanagh was criticized for introducing this Bill by Gay-Rights Activists and also by peers in the GOP. [21] [22]

References

  1. "John Kavanagh". Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  2. "John Kavanagh". Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  3. "John Kavanagh's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  4. "Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Arizona) biography". Legislative Action Center. Maryland Library Association. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  5. Sandoval, Edgar (May 2, 2010). "Ex-New York cop, now Arizona state Rep. John Kavanagh leads tough immigration law". Daily News.
  6. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2014 General Election November 4, 2014" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 5. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  7. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2014 General Election November 4, 2014" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 11. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  8. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 Primary Election August 28, 2012" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 11 & 12. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  9. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2012 General Election November 6, 2012" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 12. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  10. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2006 Primary Election – September 12, 2006" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 8. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  11. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2006 General Election – November 7, 2006" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 7. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  12. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2008 Primary Election – September 2, 2008" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 8. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  13. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2008 General Election – November 4, 2008" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 9. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  14. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2010 Primary Election – August 24, 2010" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 10. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  15. "State of Arizona Official Canvass 2010 General Election – November 2, 2010" (PDF). Phoenix, Arizona: Secretary of State of Arizona. p. 7. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  16. "John Kavanagh and Regan Clarine case". Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  17. Abigail Leonard and Adam May (May 28, 2014). Whistleblower: Arizona inmates are dying from inadequate health care. America Tonight. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  18. 1 2 "The First 9/11 Backlash Fatality: The Murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi". Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  19. "Mesa man pushes to keep brother's name on Sept. 11 memorial". Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  20. https://photographyisnotacrime.com/2016/01/arizona-senator-john-kavanagh-wants-to-make-it-illegal-to-record-cops-including-personal-interactions/
  21. http://archive.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/20130605kavanagh-bathroom-bill-shelved.html
  22. http://www.glaad.org/blog/anti-trans-arizona-lawmaker-john-kavanagh-targets-bathrooms-again
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