Differences between Bob Turner and Kirsten Gillibrand
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Bob Turner vs. Kirsten Gillibrand[edit]
Bob Turner and Kirsten Gillibrand are American politicians who represented New York at the federal level during the early 2010s. Turner is a Republican businessman who served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives after winning a 2011 special election. Gillibrand is a Democrat who has served in the U.S. Senate since 2009, having previously represented New York's 20th congressional district in the House. The two faced each other directly in the 2012 United States Senate election in New York.
Comparison table[edit]
| Category | Bob Turner | Kirsten Gillibrand |
|---|---|---|
| Political party | Republican | Democratic |
| Birth year | 1941 | 1966 |
| Highest office held | U.S. Representative (NY-9) | U.S. Senator |
| Tenure (Federal) | 2011–2013 | 2007–Present |
| Private sector background | Television executive | Attorney |
| 2012 election result | 26.4% | 72.2% |
| Education | St. John's University | Dartmouth College; UCLA |
| Residency tie | Queens, New York City | Albany/Brunswick, Upstate NY |
Career backgrounds[edit]
Bob Turner spent most of his career in the television industry before entering politics. He was a co-founder of LBS Communications and worked as an executive at Pearson PLC. His business career focused on the syndication of television programs, including "Baywatch" and "The Jerry Springer Show".[1] Turner entered the political sphere in 2010 when he challenged Anthony Weiner for New York's 9th congressional district, losing that initial bid.
Kirsten Gillibrand practiced law before her election to Congress. She worked as an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell and later served as a special counsel to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Andrew Cuomo, during the Clinton administration.[2] In 2006, she defeated incumbent Republican John E. Sweeney to represent a conservative-leaning district in Upstate New York. She served in the House until 2009, when Governor David Paterson appointed her to the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.
2012 United States Senate election[edit]
In 2012, Turner sought the Republican nomination to challenge Gillibrand for her first full six-year Senate term. During the campaign, Turner emphasized his business experience and criticized federal spending levels. He advocated for the repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and proposed reductions in corporate tax rates.[3]
Gillibrand focused her campaign on her legislative record, including her work on the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 and the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. She also highlighted her efforts regarding transparency, such as her decision to publish her official schedule and tax returns online.[4]
On November 6, 2012, Gillibrand won the election with approximately 72% of the vote. This margin was the largest for any statewide candidate in New York history at that time. Turner received approximately 2.1 million votes compared to Gillibrand's 5.9 million.[5] Following the election, Turner served as the chairman of the Republican Party in Queens. Gillibrand remained in the Senate and later sought the Democratic nomination for President in 2020.
References[edit]
- ↑ Chen, David W. (September 14, 2011). "Republican Wins Weiner’s Former Seats". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Gillibrand, Kirsten Elizabeth". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- ↑ King, Nelson. (March 20, 2012). "Turner to Run for Senate". The Wall Street Journal.
- ↑ Colvin, Jill. (October 22, 2012). "Gillibrand and Turner Spar in Only Debate". New York Daily News.
- ↑ "Official Election Results for the U.S. Senate". (2013). Federal Election Commission.
