Daniel P. Gordon

Daniel P. Gordon, Jr.
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 71st district
In office
January 4, 2011 – January 4, 2013
Preceded by John J. Loughlin, Jr.
Succeeded by Dennis Canario
Personal details
Born (1969-05-12) May 12, 1969
Political party Republican (until 2011) Libertarian (2011–present)
Residence Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Alma mater Marine Corps Institute
Military service
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 1987–1991

Daniel P. Gordon, Jr. (born May 12, 1969) is an American politician and construction contractor. Gordon was a libertarian member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Gordon was elected as a Republican Representative in November 2010 for the 71st District, defeating Democratic candidate George S. Alzaibak. In September 2011 he was expelled from the Republican caucus for allegedly making derogatory comments about other Republicans online.[1] Gordon changed his party affiliation from Republican to Libertarian, becoming the only Libertarian Party member in any United States legislature during that time.

Rhode Island House of Representatives

2010 Election

Gordon decided to run as a Republican for Rhode Island's 71st house district, based in Jamestown, Portsmouth, and Little Compton; when Republican State Representative John J. Loughlin, Jr. retired from that position to run for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, which had been vacated by retiring Democrat U.S. Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.

Gordon became the Republican nominee and narrowly defeated Democratic nominee George Alzaibak 50.4%-49.6%, a difference of just 47 votes.[2][3]

In March 2011, he made a controversial comment in an online article reporting that Tiverton High School started the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance.[4][5]

In September 2011, Gordon was arrested in Massachusetts, exposing Gordon's extensive criminal record. He told his constituents that his problems stemmed from PTSD, which caused his alcoholism.[6] He argued both problems were due to his service in the Gulf War and also claimed he was injured by shrapnel in Baghdad.[7]

Gordon's Marine Corps records obtained by The Associated Press, listed him as an aircraft technician who served from 1987-1991 in Japan and the Gulf War. He did not earn a Purple Heart as he claimed, although he did win one award for his time stationed in Japan and a National Defense Service Medal, given to all personnel on active duty at the time of the Gulf War.[8]

Gordon stated that he suffered from PTSD that was caused by a shrapnel wound he received during the First Gulf War. According to the AP his military records show that he was nowhere near a battlefield.[7]

2012 Election

Gordon ran for re-election in the November 6, 2012 election as a Libertarian, but failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot.[9] He ran as a write-in candidate and lost the election to Democrat Dennis Canario by a wide margin, thus leaving no Libertarians in any state legislature in the country.

References

  1. ↑ "Rep. Gordon expelled from GOP caucus". wpri.com. September 8, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  2. ↑ "RI State House 71 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  3. ↑ "State of Rhode Island Election Results : REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 71". Ri.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  4. ↑ Amaral, Keith (2011-03-28). "Tiverton High School Senior Starts School's First Gay-Straight Alliance - Schools - Tiverton-Little Compton, RI Patch". Tiverton.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  5. ↑ McGee, Sandy (2011-09-18). "State Rep. Dan Gordon Arrested As 'Fugitive From Justice,' Held at ACI - Government - Portsmouth, RI Patch". Portsmouth.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  6. ↑ McGee, Sandy (2011-09-20). "Rep. Dan Gordon Says 'Self-Medicating With Alcohol,' Military Trauma Led to Arrests [VIDEO] - Government - Middletown, RI Patch". Middletown.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  7. 1 2 Lavender, Paige (2011-09-23). "Daniel Gordon, Rhode Island State Rep., Lied About Military Service After Arrest". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  8. ↑ "Home - News, Weather and Classifieds for Southern New England". .turnto10.com. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  9. ↑ Winger, Richard. "INCUMBENT LEGISLATOR TRIES TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION AS A LIBERTARIAN" Ballot Access News November 29, 2012 (Volume 28, Number 6)
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