Carolyn McCarthy

	Carolyn McCarthy
	U.S. House, New York, District 4
	Incumbent
	In office
	January 3, 1997-Present
	Term ends
	January 3, 2015
Years in position	16
Party	Democratic
Predecessor	Dan Frisa (R)
	Compensation
Base salary	$174,000/year
	Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	November 5, 1996
Next election	November 4, 2014
Campaign $	$12,415,990
Term limits	N/A
	Education
Other	Glen Cove Nursing School
	Personal
Birthday	January 5, 1944
Place of birth	Brooklyn, New York
Profession	Nurse
Net worth	$3,821,686
Websites
	Office website
	Campaign website

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Carolyn McCarthy (b. January 5, 1944) is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. McCarthy was elected by voters from New York's 4th congressional district.

She ran for re-election in 2012. Politico reports that redistricting has made the 4th district less Democratic.^[1] She was re-elected on November 6, 2012.^[2]

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, McCarthy is a "moderate Democratic leader".^[3]

Biography

McCarthy was born in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her nursing credentials from Glen Cove Nursing School in 1964.^[4]

Career

After becoming licensed, McCarthy was a nurse specializing in intensive care until entering public service.^[5]

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2013-2014

McCarthy serves on the following committees:^[6]

Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education (Ranking member)
- Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
Committee on Financial Services
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
- Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance

2011-2012

McCarthy served on the following committees:^[7]

Financial Services Committee
- Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
- Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade (Ranking Member)^[8]
Education and the Workforce Committee
- Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
- Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions^[9]

Issues

Campaign themes

2012

McCarthy listed several of her campaign themes on her website:^[10]

Education
Energy
Healthcare
Homeland Security
Women's Health

Political positions

Specific votes

McCarthy voted for TARP.^[11] According to a Gallup poll from September 13, 2010, 61% of Americans disapprove of TARP, while 37% approve.^[12]

McCarthy also supported the auto bailout.^[13] As of September 13, 2010: 56% of Americans disapproved of the auto bailout, while 43% supported it.^[14]

In addition, McCarthy voted for the stimulus bill.^[15] 57% of U.S. voters believe that the stimulus has either hurt the economy (36%) or had no impact (21%). 38% believe the stimulus helped the economy. ^[16]

McCarthy also voted in favor of the "Cash for Clunkers" bill.^[17] According to a June 2009 Rasmussen Reports poll, 54% of likely U.S. voters opposed Cash for Clunkers, while 35% supported it.^[18]

McCarthy supported the "Cap and Trade" bill.^[19] Just after the bill’s passage, 42% of likely U.S. voters said that cap and trade would hurt the economy, while 19% believed it would help. 15% said that the bill would have no impact.^[20]

Finally, McCarthy voted in favor of the health care reform bill.^[21] 57% of likely voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the health care reform bill, including 46% who strongly favor repeal. 35% of likely voters oppose repeal. 51% of likely voters believe the health care reform bill will be bad for the country, while 36% believe it will be beneficial.^[22]

Fiscal Cliff

McCarthy voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. She was one of 172 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.^[23]

Elections

See also: New York's 4th congressional district elections, 2012

2012

McCarthy ran for re-election in 2012. Because of New York's redistricting, her new territory was not as favorable to McCarthy. She was unopposed in the primaries for the Democratic, Working Families, and Independence candidate. ^[1] She was re-elected on November 6, 2012.^[24]

U.S. House, New York, District 4 General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy Incumbent	54.7%	163,955
	Republican	Francis Becker Jr.	28.6%	85,693
	Conservative	Frank Scaturro	5.2%	15,603
	N/A	Blank/Void/Scattering	11.4%	34,233
Total Votes				299,484
Source: New York State Board of Elections "U.S. House of Representatives Results"

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Carolyn McCarthy, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Francis Becker Jr. (R who also ran on the Conservative Party and Independence Party tickets) in the general election.^[25]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	53.6%	94,483
	Republican	Francis X. Becker, Jr.	46.4%	81,718
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	0%	52
Total Votes				176,253

2008

On November 4, 2008, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Jack M. Martins (R) in the general election.^[26]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	54.5%	151,792
	Republican	Jack M. Martins	30.3%	84,444
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	15.2%	42,438
Total Votes				278,674

2006

On November 7, 2006, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Martin W. Blessinger (R) in the general election.^[27]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	60.2%	93,401
	Republican	Martin W. Blessinger	31%	48,121
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	8.8%	13,729
Total Votes				155,251

2004

On November 2, 2004, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated James A. Garner (R) in the general election.^[28]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	32.3%	85,505
	Republican	James A. Garner	56.2%	148,615
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	11.5%	30,420
Total Votes				264,540

2002

On November 5, 2002, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Marilyn F. O'Grady (R) and Tim Derham (G) in the general election.^[29]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	53.6%	85,496
	Republican	Marilyn F. O'Grady	38.5%	61,473
	Green	Tim Derham	0.5%	852
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	7.3%	11,713
Total Votes				159,534

2000

On November 7, 2000, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Gregory R. Becker (R) and Barbara Vitanza (L) in the general election.^[30]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	32.4%	75,650
	Republican	Gregory R. Becker	55.1%	128,688
	Libertarian	Barbara Vitanza	0.5%	1,222
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	12.1%	28,204
Total Votes				233,764

1998

On November 3, 1998, Carolyn McCarthy won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Gregory R. Becker (R) and Patricia M. Maher (Liberal) in the general election.^[31]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy incumbent	38.5%	64,509
	Republican	Gregory R. Becker	51.7%	86,692
	Liberal	Patricia M. Maher	0.8%	1,343
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	9%	15,021
Total Votes				167,565

1996

On November 5, 1996, Carolyn McCarthy won election to the United States House. She defeated Dan Frisa (R), Robert S. Berkowitz (Liberal), and Vincent P. Garbitelli (Right to Life) in the general election.^[32]

U.S. House, New York District 4 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Carolyn McCarthy	55.1%	119,946
	Republican	Dan Frisa	35.8%	78,004
	Liberal	Robert S. Berkowitz	0.5%	1,162
	Right to Life	Vincent P. Garbitelli	1.5%	3,252
	Blank/Scattering	Write-in	7%	15,222
Total Votes				217,586

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for McCarthy is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, McCarthy raised a total of $12,415,990 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 23, 2013.^[33]

Carolyn McCarthy's Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$2,277,999
2010	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$1,684,444
2008	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$1,336,619
2006	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$1,441,801
2004	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$1,769,151
2002	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$1,902,514
2000	U.S. House of Representatives (New York, District 4)		$2,003,462
Grand Total Raised			$12,415,990

Individual breakdown

2012

Breakdown of the source of McCarthy's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

McCarthy won election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, McCarthy's campaign committee raised a total of $2,278,000 and spent $1,860,331.^[34]

U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 4th Congressional District, 2012 - Carolyn McCarthy Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$2,278,000
Total Spent	$1,860,331
Total Raised by Election Runner-up	$177,582
Total Spent by Election Runner-up	$169,000
Top contributors to Carolyn McCarthy's campaign committee
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory	$16,000
Votesane PAC	$12,750
JPMorgan Chase & Co	$11,750
Investment Co Institute	$11,000
Prudential Financial	$10,500
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Securities & Investment	$148,000
Insurance	$115,500
Health Professionals	$93,950
Education	$84,800
Retired	$70,443

2010

Breakdown of the source of McCarthy's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

McCarthy was re-elected to the U.S. House in 2010 for an eighth term. Her campaign committee raised a total of $1,684,444 and spent $1,726,969.^[35]

U.S. House, New York, 2010 - Carolyn McCarthy Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$1,684,444
Total Spent	$1,726,969
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$307,510
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$303,149
Top contributors to Carolyn McCarthy's campaign committee
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$15,000
Painters & Allied Trades Union	$15,000
Air Line Pilots Assn	$10,000
American Assn for Justice	$10,000
American Assn/Oral & Maxillofacial Surg	$10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Health Professionals	$105,110
Education	$81,614
Insurance	$81,100
Securities & Investment	$71,100
Retired	$67,172

Analysis

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, McCarthy missed 488 of 11,071 roll call votes from Jan 1997 to Apr 2013, which is 4.4% of votes during that period. This is worse than the median of 2.2% among the lifetime records of representatives currently serving.^[36]

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. McCarthy paid her congressional staff a total of $1,004,877 in 2011. Overall, New York ranked 28th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.^[37]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, McCarthy is one of nearly 25% of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. McCarthy's staff was given an apparent $4,617.00 in bonus money.^[38]

Net worth

See also: Net Worth of United States Senators and Representatives

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, McCarthy's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $1,746,189 to $5,897,184. That averages to $3,821,686, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic House members in 2011 of $5,107,874. Her average net worth increased by 1.81% from 2010.^[39]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, McCarthy's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $1,678,161 to $5,829,156. Averaging to a net worth of $3,753,658.50 which is lower than the average net worth of Democrats in 2010 of $4,465,875.^[40]

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. McCarthy tied with one other member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 158th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.^[41]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. McCarthy tied with two other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 151th in the liberal rankings among members of the U.S. House.^[42]

Percentage voting with party

November 2011

The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Carolyn McCarthy voted with the Democratic Party 90.9% of the time, which ranked 139th among the 192 House Democratic members in December 2011.^[43]

Recent news

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