Peter DeGraaf (born April 11, 1957) is a Republican former member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing District 82 from 2008 to May 31, 2017. He resigned from the state House on May 31, 2017, due to complications with Parkinson's disease.[1]
Peter DeGraaf | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 82nd district | |
| In office January 14, 2013 – May 31, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Howell |
| Succeeded by | Jesse Burris |
| Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 81st district | |
| In office May 29, 2008 – January 14, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Powers |
| Succeeded by | Jim Howell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 11, 1957 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Karen |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | United States Air Force Academy |
Prior to his election to the House, DeGraaf served as Gore Township precinct committeeman, treasurer for Ray LaBoeuf for Senate, and chairman of the Sumner County Republican Central Committee.[2] DeGraaf is a 1979 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and an associate pastor at Faith Community Church.
Issue positions
editDeGraaf's website says that he is a "Conservative Republican: who believes in "lower taxes, less government, family values, better education," and "financial common sense."[3]
DeGraaf supports restricting abortion coverage. During May 12, 2011 House debates, DeGraaf supported restrictions of health insurance coverage for abortions, including disallowing coverage for abortions in the case of rape unless the woman had purchased separate "abortion only-policies." When Rep. Barbara Bollier, a Mission Hills Republican who supports abortion rights, questioned whether women would buy abortion-only policies long before they have crisis or unwanted pregnancies or are rape victims, DeGraaf asked "We do need to plan ahead, don't we, in life?" When Bollier questioned whether a woman should be expected to plan ahead in life for the possibility of being raped and becoming pregnant, DeGraaf responded: "I have spare tire on my car. I also have life insurance. I have a lot of things that I plan ahead for."[4][5]
Committee membership
edit- Appropriations
- General Government Budget
- Financial Institutions
- Insurance
Sponsored legislation
edit- H 2084 Cities; annexation; strip annexations restricted. March 17, 2009
- H 2150 Property taxation; 2% limit on valuation increases. February 27, 2009
- H 5014 Expanded rail service; Kansas City to Fort Worth, Texas; congratulating Kansas Department of Transportation and others; urging action. March 17, 2009[6]
Major donors
editThe top 5 donors to DeGraaf's 2008 campaign were:[7]
- 4th District Republican Central Committee $1,250
- Kansas Republican Party $1,250
- Kansas Independent Business PAC $1,000
- First Intermark Corporation $1,000
- Koch Industries $1,000
References
edit- ^ "KanFocus -- Error".
- ^ Project Vote Smart – Rep. Peter DeGraaf Biography
- ^ Rep. Peter DeGraaf official campaign website Archived November 27, 2008, at the Library of Congress Web Archives
- ^ "Kansas backs bill restricting abortion coverage". Associated Press. May 13, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ Jen Phillips (May 24, 2011). "Venn Diagram: Rape vs. Flat Tire". Mother Jones. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ "Kansas Legislature – Bills Introduced by Member". Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- ^ Follow the Money – 2008 Campaign Contributions
External links
edit- Official Website at the Library of Congress Web Archives (archived 2008-11-27)
- Kansas Legislature – Peter DeGraaf at the Wayback Machine (archived 2009-05-05)
- Project Vote Smart profile
- Kansas Votes profile
- State Surge – Legislative and voting track record[usurped]
- Campaign contributions: 2008