Bruce F. Caputo
Bruce Faulkner Caputo (born August 7, 1943) is an American lawyer and politician from New York. He is most notable for his service as a member of the New York State Assembly (1973 to 1976) and the United States House of Representatives (1977 to 1979).
Bruce F. Caputo | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd district | |
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1979 | |
Preceded by | Peter A. Peyser |
Succeeded by | Peter A. Peyser |
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 87th district | |
In office January 1, 1973 – December 31, 1976 | |
Preceded by | Thomas J. McInerney |
Succeeded by | Thomas J. McInerney |
Personal details | |
Born | Bruce Faulkner Caputo August 7, 1943 New York City, New York |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Bonnie Caputo |
Education | Harvard University (BA, MBA) Georgetown University (JD) |
Early life
Caputo was born in New York City on August 7, 1943, the son of Doris (Burke Caputo) and attorney Anthony Caputo.[1] He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1961, Harvard University (Bachelor of Arts, 1965), and Harvard Business School (Master of Business Administration, 1967).[2] Caputo began his career in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where the Systems Analysis Unit hired recent business school graduates to work on policy issues.[1] While working at the Defense Department, Caputo attended law school at night.[2] In 1971, he received his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center.[2]
Start of career
Caputo was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1972, representing a district in Yonkers.[2] He was re-elected in 1974, and sat in the 180th and 181st New York State Legislatures.[2] Caputo served on the Assembly Ways and Means, Housing and Insurance committees.
In 1976, Republican Congressman Peter A. Peyser gave up his seat to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator James L. Buckley for the Republican Senate nomination. Caputo ran for the congressional seat and won, defeating Democratic Assemblyman J. Edward Meyer, a former Republican who became a Democrat in 1973. Caputo's district included Yonkers, three towns in lower Westchester and the Woodlawn, Wakefield, Williamsbridge, Edenwald, Eastchester and Baychester sections of the Bronx. Caputo served on the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs committee and the Ethics committee.
In 1978, Perry Duryea, the Republican leader of the State Assembly and front runner for the Republican nomination for governor, picked Caputo as his running mate for lieutenant governor.[3] The Republican state convention nominated them in the fall of 1978.[3] Incumbent Governor Hugh L. Carey, a Democrat, and his running mate Mario Cuomo, defeated the Duryea-Caputo ticket in the November general election.[3]
Following the 1978 elections Caputo served out his term in Congress and joined the management consulting firm Booz-Allen Hamilton in its mergers and acquisitions and banking departments.
U.S. Senate campaigns
1980 U.S. Senate race
In 1980, Caputo entered the Republican primary against U.S. Senator Jacob Javits, but withdrew after his main rival on the right, Alfonse D'Amato, secured the nomination of the Conservative party.[4] D'Amato defeated Javits in the Republican primary and won the general election in the fall. In his autobiography, "Power, Politics, and Pasta: The World According to Senator Al D'Amato" (1995), D'Amato bitterly criticized Caputo.
In 1981, President Reagan nominated Caputo as an alternate United States delegate to the United Nations General Assembly. The Senate confirmed the nomination and Caputo began serving in the spring of that year.
1982 U.S. Senate race
Early in 1982, Caputo announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who was seeking a second term in 1982.[5] Considered a young rising star in the Republican Party, Caputo raised money around the country but failed to get the support of key Republican and Conservative Party county leaders.[5] Caputo's early career became the subject of controversy during the campaign when several news sources reported that he had falsely described himself as a Vietnam-era draftee and Army lieutenant.[6] Caputo later corrected the record, but ultimately withdrew from the race.[6] Later that year, Assemblywoman Florence M. Sullivan of Brooklyn won the Republican primary; she was defeated by Moynihan in the general election.[7]
After leaving politics, Caputo worked as a lawyer and private investor in real estate and early stage privately held companies.
Personal life
Caputo is married to Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first woman pilot for a major airline.[8] They have two children and reside in Manhattan.[9][10]
References
- Burks, Edward C. (June 19, 1977). "Caputo, a Freshman, Jogs the Old Guard". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. Section 22, page 1 – via TimesMachine.
- United States Congress (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. p. 784. ISBN 978-0-16-073176-1 – via Google Books.
- Feron, James (November 12, 1978). "Caputo: Politics In Limbo". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. Section 22, page 1 – via TimesMachine.
- New York Magazine, May 25, 1981, "Caputo Copies D'Amato Act" in PDF through Google Books
- Roberts, Sam (March 9, 1982). "Caputo Quits Senate Race". Daily News. New York, NY. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- Oreskes, Michael (February 18, 1982). "Was Never In Army, Caputo Says". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. A-1 – via TimesMachine.
- NYState63 (May 27, 2016). "Race Details: New York U.S. Senate, 1982". Our Campaigns.com. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- Laneri, Raquel (March 22, 2017). "First female airline pilot took special 'strength tests' to get hired". New York Post. New York, NY.
- Fabio, Michelle (Spring 2018). "Flying High, Well Grounded: Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo First Woman Pilot for a Major U.S. Airline" (PDF). Ambassador Magazine. Washington, DC: National Italian American Federation. p. 31.
- Kurtz, Annalyn (August 16, 2016). "When the Pilot Is a Mom: Accommodating New Motherhood at 30,000 Feet". The New York Times. New York, NY. p. B-1.
External links
- United States Congress. "Bruce F. Caputo (id: C000137)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
New York State Assembly | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Thomas J. McInerney |
New York State Assembly 87th District 1973–1976 |
Succeeded by Thomas J. McInerney |
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
Preceded by Peter A. Peyser |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd congressional district 1977–1979 |
Succeeded by Peter A. Peyser |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Ralph G. Caso 1974 |
Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New York 1978 |
Succeeded by James L. Emery 1982 |