Kyle McCarter

Kyle McCarter (born June 27, 1962)[2] is an American politician from Illinois and former diplomat. He served as the United States Ambassador to Kenya from 2019 to 2021. He previously served as a Republican member of the Illinois Senate from February 2009 to January 2019.

For the biblical scholar, see P. Kyle McCarter Jr.

Kyle McCarter
United States Ambassador to Kenya
In office
March 12, 2019 – January 21, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byRobert F. Godec
Succeeded byEric Kneedler (Chargé d’Affaires ad interim)
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 54th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byJohn O. Jones
Succeeded byJason Plummer
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 51st district
In office
February 23, 2009 – January 9, 2013
Preceded byFrank Watson
Succeeded byChapin Rose
Personal details
Born (1962-06-27) June 27, 1962[1]
Waco, Texas
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Victoria Ramatowski[2]
Children3
ResidenceLebanon, Illinois

Early life

McCarter was born in Waco, Texas on June 27, 1962.[2] He is the son of Mr. Calvin and Linda McCarter. He attended Muskogee High School and he completed his studies in 1980.[2]

Career

McCarter graduated from Oral Roberts University in 1984 with a degree in accounting.[3][4] McCarter was a member of the St. Clair County board from 2000 until 2009, when he was appointed to the Illinois State Senate.[3][4] McCarter also served for six years on the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce board of directors, including two years as President and four years as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee.[4]

Businesses

McCarter owns and operates Custom Product Innovations and Custom Coating Innovations in Lebanon, Illinois.[4] McCarter's companies outsource parts of their production to China. McCarter said, "I go to China four to six times a year to visit with our manufacturers. It's a capitalist's dream over there."[5]

Non-profits

McCarter and his wife, Victoria, lived and worked in Kenya for Each1Feed1, a Christian ministry that gives care and education for orphans and widows, in 1987–1988 and built Faith Medical Clinic.[6][7] Kyle currently is the International Director and Victoria is the Director of Education for Each1Feed1, and they travel to Kenya several times a year.[6][8] McCarter is also a supporter of Mercy Ministries, a charitable Christian organization.[8][9]

Illinois State Senate

After Republican State Senator Frank Watson resigned, shortly after suffering a stroke, McCarter was appointed to fill his place in the Illinois State Senate in February 2009.[10][11][12] McCarter was described as "a reliable GOP vote in the state senate."[7]

On May 31, 2011, McCarter accused Democratic state Sen. Mike Jacobs of punching him after a debate over an electricity rate increase, a claim Jacobs denied by saying in a televised interview that "the senator was full of shit" and "someone who couldn't even really polish my shoes".[13] McCarter had noted that Jacobs' father was a registered lobbyist for the utility, but Jacobs' response was that "one thing he would not allow to happen would be for anyone to question my integrity." Jacobs also said this information had been fully disclosed, his constituents were aware of it, "and they would make a decision based on that". It was reported that McCarter filed a police statement over the incident.[13][14]

After the Senate redistricting, parts of the old 51st, 54th, and 58th districts were combined to create the new 54th Senate District. Another incumbent Republican, John O. Jones, was also drawn into the 54th district. However, Jones failed to adequately meet the petition filing requirements and did not appear on the ballot. After Jones ruled out an independent bid, McCarter ran successfully for the 54th district.[15]

He chose not to seek reelection in 2018.[7][16] He was succeeded in the Illinois Senate by Jason Plummer.[17]

Committee assignments

As of the 100th General Assembly, McCarter sits on the following committees: Appropriations II; *Environment and Conservation (Minority Spokesperson); Public Health; Local Government; Labor; and State Government.[4]

Energy

In a debate in 2012 and later public statements McCarter publicly supported a "clean coal" plant in Taylorville, Illinois. The day after Archer Daniels Midland and Tate & Lyle, both major employers in McCarter's senate district, expressed concern about the project, he changed his position and voted against the bill. Both companies were also donors to his campaign. In response Kurt Erickson of The Southern Illinoisan wrote, "In the process, he became the quintessential politician that voters love to hate: He said one thing on the campaign trail and then reversed himself once safely elected."[18]

Anti-bullying bill

In May 2012, McCarter voted against a bill in the state senate that would have encouraged public schools to implement anti-bullying programs.[19] McCarter voted against the bill because he believed such programs would be used to promote homosexuality.[19] While answering questions about his vote, McCarter said, "Some of these programs are very good. They indeed encourage kids not to bully. But there are programs throughout the United States, used in some high schools and universities, that really have just a pro-homosexual agenda, and nothing but that."[19]

2016 campaign for U.S. Congress
Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois § District 15

In October 2015, McCarter announced he would be running for the United States House of Representatives for the 15th district against fellow Republican incumbent John Shimkus, rather than run again for State Senate in 2018.[20][21] While McCarter does not live in the 15th district, he lives close to the border and has said he is looking to move to Effingham.[20]

McCarter has received Tea Party support, as well as support from other conservative groups, including the Club for Growth.[22][23] McCarter is running to the right of Shimkus, saying he is insufficiently conservative and an "insider."[20]

Prior to announcing his candidacy for Congress, McCarter used about $33,000 from his state campaign fund to pay a political consultant. That consultant, Elizabeth Van Holt of Isaiah Consulting, appeared with McCarter when he announced his congressional candidacy on October 7, 2015. State law prohibits the use of such campaign funds for federal races. McCarter said the money was paid for work related to his State Senate seat.[24]

Prior to the second quarter of 2015, McCarter's campaign committee never reported more than $50,354 in any quarter since the 2010 election cycle.[21] In early 2016, McCarter's campaign refunded $52,000 in campaign contributions that had been accepted against FEC rules.[25]

McCarter ultimately lost the primary to Shimkus, receiving 39.63 percent of the vote.[26]

United States Ambassador to Kenya

On May 11, 2017, the seven Republican congressmen from Illinois, including John Shimkus who beat McCarter in the 2016 primary, encouraged President Donald Trump to nominate McCarter as the next United States Ambassador to Kenya.[27] The delegation wrote that McCarter's work in Kenya with Each1Feed1 has provided him "heightened insight into the governmental operations and other political, economic, and social realities of both Kenya and the larger region of East Africa."[28] On March 28, 2018, Trump announced he was nominating McCarter to the position.[29][30] He was scrutinized by Democrats during his committee hearing and was reported out of committee on a 12–9 vote.[7] The United States Senate confirmed McCarter by voice vote on January 2, 2019.[31][32] He presented his credentials to President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 12, 2019.[33] He left office on January 20, 2021.

Personal life

McCarter and his wife Victoria live in Lebanon, Illinois.[3][4] They have two living children: Zach and Austin.[3][4] Their daughter Amber died in 2006 at the age of 21 from a heroin overdose.[3][34][35]

References
  1. Illinois Watchdog: Election Profile: 51st Senate District McCarter vs. Dudley
  2. "U.S. Ambassador to Kenya: Who Is Kyle McCarter?". AllGov. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  3. "Kyle McCarter's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  4. "Senator Kyle McCarter (R)". ilga.gov (99th General Assembly).
  5. Wuerz, Scott (August 8, 2005). "East Meets Metro-East". Belleville News-Democrat. Illinois.
  6. "Our Team - Each1Feed1". eachonefeedone.org. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  7. Bustos, Joseph (January 31, 2019). "How did McCarter land ambassadorship to Kenya, and what's his future when the job ends?". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  8. Schabbing, Dawn (October 7, 2015). "State Sen. Kyle McCarter to Challenge U.S. Rep. John Shimkus". Effingham Daily News. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  9. "Mercy Ministries Close Friend and Supporter Kyle McCarter Appointed to Illinois State Senate". mercyministriesnews.com. April 28, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  10. Spates, Alicia (February 22, 2009). "Kyle McCarter of Lebanon Picked by GOP for State Senate Seat". herald-review.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  11. "O'Fallon alderman named to St. Clair County Board". Belleville News Democrat. March 27, 2009.
  12. "State Senator Frank Watson Resigns from Senate Will Focus on Health". WGEL. February 2, 2009. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009.
  13. Illinois Senator Claims Sen. Mike Jacobs Punched Him After ComEd Rate Hike Debate (VIDEO) Huffington Post AOL News. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  14. Ill. senators get physical, involve police St. Louis Today.com. June 1, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  15. Douglas, Hannah (January 9, 2013). "State Sen. John O. Jones retires". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  16. Miller, Rich (August 7, 2017). "Rep. Fortner to retire at end of term". Capitol Fax. Springfield, Illinois. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  17. Barlow, Sarah E., ed. (November 15, 2018). "Biographies of New Senate Members" (PDF). First Reading. Illinois Legislative Research Unit. p. 10. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  18. "Some enter, others leave". The Southern. January 9, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  19. McDermott, Kevin (May 22, 2012). "Illinois Conservatives Defeat Anti-Bullying Measure, Citing Gay 'Agenda'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  20. Brueggemann, Brian (October 7, 2015). "McCarter kicks off campaign against Shimkus; declares himself more conservative". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  21. "Update: Rauner backing Shimkus over McCarter". Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  22. Bustos, Joseph (January 6, 2016). "Club for Growth Endorses McCarter Over Shimkus". bnd.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  23. McDermott, Kevin (February 16, 2016). "A Short Run-Down of Illinois' Primary Situation Headed Toward March 15". stltoday.com. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  24. "McCarter, seeking congressional seat, faces questions over spending from state campaign fund". Belleville News-Democrat. Illinois. November 5, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  25. Kacich, Tom (February 3, 2016). "Tom Kacich: McCarter Has to Make $52,000 in Campaign Donation Refunds". The News-Gazette. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  26. "Election Results – General Primary – 3/15/2016". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
  27. "Senator McCarter Letter of Recommendation Kenya Ambassadorship 051117.pdf". Google. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  28. Palermo, Gregg (May 11, 2017). "The next U.S. ambassador to Kenya could hail from Metro East". KTVI. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  29. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts" (Press release). White House Office. March 28, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  30. Bustos, Joseph (March 28, 2018). "Local state senator nominated as next ambassador to Kenya". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  31. Bustos, Joseph (January 3, 2019). "Kyle McCarter, state senator from metro-east, named U.S. ambassador to Kenya". Belleville News-Democrat. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  32. Vidija, Patrick (January 4, 2019). "New US ambassador Kyle McCarter speaks Kiswahili, opposes gay unions". The Star. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  33. @USAmbKenya (March 12, 2019). "Just presented credentials to his Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta. Officially in place and ready to work side by side. Tutafanya kazi pamoja" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. Gerstenecker, Alan Lewis (February 14, 2007). "Fentanyl overdose killed daughter of County Board member, coroner's official says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  35. Chicago Tribune (September 23, 2015). "A state senator's unusual vote". Daily Southtown. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
Robert F. Godec		 United States Ambassador to Kenya
2019–2021		 Succeeded by
Eric Kneedler
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim
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