Daniel P. Gordon

Daniel Peter Gordon Jr. (April 12, 1969 – March 25, 2017) was an American politician and construction contractor. Gordon was a Libertarian member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Gordon was elected as a Republican Representative in November 2010 for the 71st District, defeating Democratic candidate George S. Alzaibak.

Daniel P. Gordon Jr.
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from the 71st district
In office
January 4, 2011 – January 4, 2013
Preceded byJohn J. Loughlin, Jr.
Succeeded byDennis Canario
Personal details
Born(1969-04-12)April 12, 1969
Bristol, Pennsylvania, US
DiedMarch 25, 2017(2017-03-25) (aged 47)[1]
Political partyRepublican (until 2011)
Libertarian (2011–2017)
ResidencePortsmouth, Rhode Island
Alma materMarine Corps Institute
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1987–1991

In September 2011 he was expelled from the Republican caucus for allegedly making derogatory comments about other Republicans online.[2] Gordon changed his party affiliation from Republican to Libertarian, becoming the only Libertarian Party member in any United States legislature during that time.

Background

Gordon was born in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He served in the United States Marine Corps.[3]

Rhode Island House of Representatives

2010 Election

Gordon decided to run as a Republican for Rhode Island's 71st house district, based in Jamestown, Portsmouth, and Little Compton; when Republican State Representative John J. Loughlin, Jr. retired from that position to run for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district, which had been vacated by retiring Democrat U.S. Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy.

Gordon became the Republican nominee and narrowly defeated Democratic nominee George Alzaibak 50.4–49.6%, a difference of just 47 votes.[4][5]

Controversies

In March 2011, he made a controversial comment in an online article reporting that Tiverton High School started the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance.[6][7]

2012 Election

Gordon ran for re-election in the November 6, 2012 election as a Libertarian, but failed to get enough signatures to get on the ballot.[8] He ran as a write-in candidate and lost the election to Democrat Dennis Canario by a wide margin, thus leaving no Libertarians in any state legislature in the country.

Death

Gordon died on March 25, 2017.[3]

References
  1. "Former R.I. Rep. Dan Gordon dies at age 47".
  2. "Rep. Gordon expelled from GOP caucus". wpri.com. September 8, 2011. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2012.
  3. "Daniel Peter Gordon Jr. – View Obituary & Service Information". TheWoodMortuary.com.
  4. "RI State House 71 Race". Our Campaigns. Nov 2, 2010. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  5. "State of Rhode Island Election Results : Representative in General Assembly District 71". Ri.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  6. Amaral, Keith (2011-03-28). "Tiverton High School Senior Starts School's First Gay-Straight Alliance – Schools – Tiverton-Little Compton, RI Patch". Tiverton.patch.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  7. McGee, Sandy (2011-09-18). "State Rep. Dan Gordon Arrested As 'Fugitive From Justice,' Held at ACI – Government – Portsmouth, RI Patch". Portsmouth.patch.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  8. Winger, Richard. "Incumbent Legislator Tries to Run for Re-election as a Libertarian"] Ballot Access News November 29, 2012 (Volume 28, Number 6)
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