Dan Soucek

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Senator
Dan Soucek
Dan Soucek.jpg
Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 45th district
In office
January 1, 2011 – April 8, 2016
Preceded bySteve Goss
Succeeded byDeanna Ballard
Personal details
Born
Daniel Frederick Soucek

(1969-04-22) April 22, 1969 (age 52)
Westfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Daniel Frederick Chittenden Soucek (born April 22, 1969) was a Republican member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the State's 45th district which includes Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell and Watauga counties. On April 8, 2016, Soucek announced his immediate resignation. In December 2015 he had said he would not seek re-election, citing the desire to spend more time with his family.[1] He had served three terms in the North Carolina Senate, having served since 2011.

Background[]

Dan Soucek was born in Westfield, New Jersey in 1969. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1991 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Army Aviation. He was on active duty for over eight years and served in a variety of leadership positions including Company Commander of the International Student Office at Fort Rucker in Alabama.[2]

After resigning his commission in 1999 he moved to Boone, North Carolina to assume the role of Young Life Area Director for Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties. In 2004 he began working as the Asia Regional Director for Operation Christmas Child at Samaritan's Purse.[3] He was first elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2010 and in 2012 won election for a second term. He was a primary sponsor of the North Carolina Marriage Amendment, which was adopted by referendum in May 2012 and ruled unconstitutional in October 2014.

His achievements include:[2]

His duties and assignments have allowed him to work with the United States Department of State, general officers and religious leaders from many countries, international business leaders, and governments at all levels from customs officials to Governors, a Prime Minister, and a King.

He has also served as a cross country and track coach at Watauga High School, coached youth soccer and served as an adult and high school Sunday school teacher at Alliance Bible Fellowship.[2]

In February 2013, Dan joined the National Guard as a citizen soldier, while he continued to serve in the NC Senate.

Political positions[]

Conservatism

Pro-life

  • Endorsed by the North Carolina Right to Life organization.[5]

Pro Second Amendment

  • Received a 4 star rating from Grassroots North Carolina, an organization created to preserve second amendment rights.[5]
  • In 2010 the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund gave Senator Soucek a grade of A.[4]

Pro Business

Environmental Issues

  • Received a 3% lifetime rating from the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters in 2013.[4]
  • Received a rating of 0% from Environment North Carolina in 2011 and 2013 and a 5% rating in 2015.[4]

Endorsements

  • Grass Roots North Carolina[4]
  • National Federation of Independent Business[4]
  • National Rifle Association[4]
  • State Employees' Association of North Carolina[4]

Committee assignments[]

2015-2016 Session[6]

Committee Status
Appropriations on Education/Higher Education Co-Chairman
Appropriations/Base Budget Member
Commerce Member
Education/Higher Education Co-Chairman
Finance Member
Judiciary I Member
Redistricting Member
Select Committee on UNC Board of Governors Member
Workforce and Economic Development Member

References[]

  1. ^ Orr, Adam (10 April 2016). "Soucek resigns from state senate". The Jefferson Post. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Fans of Dan: Biography".
  3. ^ "North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus". Archived from the original on 2011-01-14.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "VoteSmart.org".
  5. ^ a b c "Fans of Dan:Issue Positions".
  6. ^ "North Carolina General Assembly" Check |url= value (help).[permanent dead link]

External links[]

North Carolina Senate
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina Senate
from the 45th district
2011–2016 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""