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{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Charlie Summers
|image = Charles E. Summers II.jpg
|image = Charles E. Summers II.jpg
⚫
|president = [[Donald Trump]]
|office = [[Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs]]
|office = [[Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs]]
|status = Acting
⚫
|president = [[Donald Trump]]
|term_start = January 1, 2019
|term_start = January 1, 2019
|term_end = May 19, 2019
|term_end = May 19, 2019
|predecessor = Dana W. White
|predecessor = Dana White
|successor = Jonathan R. Hoffman
|successor = [[Jonathan Rath Hoffman]]
|office1 = 48th [[Secretary of State of Maine]]
|office1 = 48th [[Secretary of State of Maine]]
|governor1 = [[Paul LePage]]
|governor1 = [[Paul LePage]]
Line 23: Line 26:
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|education = [[Black Hawk College]]<br />[[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])}}
|education = [[Black Hawk College]]<br>[[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign|University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign]] {{small|([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])}}
}}
}}
'''Charles E. Summers Jr.''' (born December 26, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, [[Iraq War]] veteran and member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] from the state of [[Maine]]. He served as Acting [[Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs]] in the [[Presidency of Donald Trump|Trump Administration]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/navy-reserve-captain-assumes-role-of-dod-spokesman-1.562796|title=Navy Reserve captain assumes role of DOD spokesman|date=January 1, 2019|newspaper=Stars and Stripes}}</ref>
'''Charles E. Summers Jr.''' (born December 26, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and [[Iraq War]] veteran. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] from the state of [[Maine]], he served as Acting [[Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs]] in the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|first Trump Administration]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/navy-reserve-captain-assumes-role-of-dod-spokesman-1.562796|title=Navy Reserve captain assumes role of DOD spokesman|date=January 1, 2019|newspaper=Stars and Stripes}}</ref>


A member of the [[Maine Senate]] from 1991 to 1995, Summers ran for the Republican nomination for [[Maine's 1st congressional district]] in 1994, coming second in the primary. He was the nominee for the same seat in 2004 and 2008, losing on each occasion to the Democratic candidate. From 2011 to 2013, he served as the [[Secretary of State of Maine]]. He was the Republican nominee for the U.S Senate to succeed the retiring Republican [[Olympia Snowe]] in the [[United States Senate election in Maine, 2012|2012 election]], but lost to former Independent Governor [[Angus King]].
A member of the [[Maine Senate]] from 1991 to 1995, Summers ran for the Republican nomination for [[Maine's 1st congressional district]] in 1994, finishing second in the primary. He was the nominee for the same seat in 2004 and 2008, losing on each occasion to the Democratic candidate. From 2011 to 2013, he served as the [[Secretary of State of Maine]]. He was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Republican [[Olympia Snowe]] in the [[2012 United States Senate election in Maine|2012 election]], but lost to former independent Governor [[Angus King]].


==Early life, education, and early political career==
==Early life, education, and early political career==
He was born in [[Danville, Illinois]] in 1959. His family moved to Kewanee, Illinois where he grew up & helped run Hotel Kewanee with his mother and father from the years 1962 to 1992. In 1978 graduated from Kewanee High School in 1978 [[Kewanee, Illinois|Kewanee]]. He earned an AA from [[Blackhawk College]] and a BS in [[Leisure Studies]] from [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] in 1984. After college he moved to Bangor, Maine where became the Assistant Manager of the Bangor Motor Inn. He and his first wife, Dr. Debra J. Summers, Ph.D., later moved to southern Maine where he worked as part of the management team of the South Portland Motor Inn. He later opened his own small business, "Charlie's Beverage Warehouse", in Biddeford, Maine.<ref name=mne_bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.maine.gov/sos/bio/long-bio.htm |title=Department of the Secretary of State, Detailed Biographical Information |publisher=Maine.gov |accessdate=2012-10-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107212915/http://www.maine.gov/sos/bio/long-bio.htm |archivedate=2012-11-07 }}</ref> Debra Summers died in a 1997 automobile accident.<ref name=bio_art>{{cite news|url=http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/10/28/affable-summers-knows-value-ofbouncing-back_2012-10-27/ |title=Bad experiences can’t keep Charlie Summers down |date=October 28, 2012 |newspaper=Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel |accessdate=2017-12-14}}</ref>
He was born in [[Danville, Illinois]] in 1959. His family moved to Kewanee, Illinois where he grew up & helped run Hotel Kewanee with his mother and father from the years 1962 to 1992. In 1978 graduated from Kewanee High School in 1978 [[Kewanee, Illinois|Kewanee]]. He earned an AA from [[Blackhawk College]] and a BS in [[leisure studies]] from [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign]] in 1984. After college he moved to Bangor, Maine where became the Assistant Manager of the Bangor Motor Inn. He and his first wife, Dr. Debra J. Summers, Ph.D., later moved to southern Maine where he worked as part of the management team of the South Portland Motor Inn. He later opened his own small business, "Charlie's Beverage Warehouse", in Biddeford, Maine.<ref name=mne_bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.maine.gov/sos/bio/long-bio.htm |title=Department of the Secretary of State, Detailed Biographical Information |publisher=Maine.gov |access-date=2012-10-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107212915/http://www.maine.gov/sos/bio/long-bio.htm |archive-date=2012-11-07 }}</ref> Debra Summers died in a 1997 automobile accident.<ref name=bio_art>{{cite news|url=http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/10/28/affable-summers-knows-value-ofbouncing-back_2012-10-27/ |title=Bad experiences can't keep Charlie Summers down |date=October 28, 2012 |newspaper=Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel |access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref>


Summers was State Director for [[United States Senator]] [[Olympia Snowe]] from 1995–2004. He has served in various elected and appointed political positions, most recently (March 2005 – June 2007) as the New England Regional Administrator (Region I) for the U.S. [[Small Business Administration]] (SBA). He monitored oversight of SBA's Financing, Marketing, and Outreach efforts in Offices from six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.<ref name=mne_bio/>
Summers was State Director for [[United States Senator]] [[Olympia Snowe]] from 1995 to 2004. He has served in various elected and appointed political positions, most recently (March 2005 – June 2007) as the New England Regional Administrator (Region I) for the U.S. [[Small Business Administration]] (SBA). He monitored oversight of SBA's Financing, Marketing, and Outreach efforts in Offices from six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.<ref name=mne_bio/>


==Maine Senate==
==Maine Senate==
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==Congressional elections==
==Congressional elections==
===1994===
===1994===
{{See also|1994 United States House of Representatives elections}}
{{See also|1994 United States House of Representatives elections#District 1}}
Democratic U.S. Congressman [[Thomas H. Andrews]], of [[Maine's 1st congressional district]], decided to retire in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Opponents included Kevin Keogh (former Chairman of the [[Maine Republican Party]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZBwzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzgHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2068,2069184&dq=charles+summers+maine&hl=en |work=Bangor Daily News |date=March 8, 1994 |author=John S. Day |pages=1, 3 |title=Congressional shuffle prompts field of hopefuls}}</ref> Ted Rand (City Councilman), and [[James Longley, Jr.]] (son of former Governor [[James Longley, Sr.]]). Longley won the primary with 43% of the vote. Summers ranked second with 25%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=514697 |title=ME District 1 – R Primary Race – Jun 14, 1994 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref>
Democratic U.S. Congressman [[Thomas H. Andrews]], of [[Maine's 1st congressional district]], decided to retire in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Opponents included Kevin Keogh (former Chairman of the [[Maine Republican Party]]),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZBwzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XzgHAAAAIBAJ&pg=2068,2069184&dq=charles+summers+maine&hl=en |work=Bangor Daily News |date=March 8, 1994 |author=John S. Day |pages=1, 3 |title=Congressional shuffle prompts field of hopefuls}}</ref> Ted Rand (City Councilman), and [[James Longley, Jr.]] (son of former Governor [[James Longley, Sr.]]). Longley won the primary with 43% of the vote. Summers ranked second with 25%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=514697 |title=ME District 1 – R Primary Race – Jun 14, 1994 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref>


===2004===
===2004===
{{See also|2004 United States House of Representatives elections}}
{{See also|2004 United States House of Representatives elections#District 1}}
Summers decided to challenge Democratic U.S. Congressman [[Tom Allen]], of the 1st CD. He lost 60%–40%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4163 |title=ME – District 01 Race – Nov 02, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref>
Summers decided to challenge Democratic U.S. Congressman [[Tom Allen (Maine politician)|Tom Allen]], of the 1st CD. He lost 60%–40%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=4163 |title=ME – District 01 Race – Nov 02, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref>


===2008===
===2008===
{{See also|United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2008}}
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine#District 1}}
Allen decided to retire in 2008 in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Summers decided to run for the seat again. In the Republican primary, he defeated Dean Scontras 60%–40%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=363858 |title=ME District 01 – R Primary Race – Jun 10, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref> In the general election, he lost to Democratic State Senator [[Chellie Pingree]], 55%–45%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=338237 |title=ME – District 01 Race – Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref>
Allen decided to retire in 2008 in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Summers decided to run for the seat again. In the Republican primary, he defeated Dean Scontras 60%–40%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=363858 |title=ME District 01 – R Primary Race – Jun 10, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref> In the general election, he lost to Democratic State Senator [[Chellie Pingree]], 55%–45%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=338237 |title=ME – District 01 Race – Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref>


==Military service==
==Military service==
⚫
[[File:Fleet Week New York City 2009 090521-N-DG679-144.jpg|thumb|Charlie Summers and [[Sean Spicer]] with [[Paula Deen]] on the set of the [[Today (U.S. TV program)|''Today'']] show in 2009]]
Summers has served in the [[U.S. Navy Reserve]] since 1996 as a public affairs officer, currently holding the rank of [[Captain]] (CAPT). As of December 2016, he was serving as Director, Navy Office of Information, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet.
Summers has served in the [[U.S. Navy Reserve]] since 1996 as a public affairs officer, currently holding the rank of [[Captain]] (CAPT). As of December 2016, he was serving as Director, Navy Office of Information, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet.


⚫
He was recalled after the [[September 11 attacks]], serving at the Pentagon under [[Gordon R. England]], the [[U.S. Secretary of the Navy]]. In July 2007, he was deployed to [[Iraq War of 2003|Iraq]] to participate in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] with [[Multi-National Forces - Iraq|Multi National Forces-Iraq]] Strategic Effects Directorate. He returned home in May 2008. From October 2009 to October 2010, he served on active duty on the staff of the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], [[Admiral Mike Mullen]]. During this time, he completed a temporary assignment as a member of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A).
⚫
[[File:Fleet Week New York City 2009 090521-N-DG679-144.jpg|thumb|Charlie Summers and [[Sean Spicer]] with [[Paula Deen]] on the set of the [[Today (U.S. TV program)|''Today'']] show in 2009]]
⚫
He was recalled after the [[September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]], serving at the Pentagon under [[Gordon R. England]], the [[U.S. Secretary of the Navy]]. In July 2007, he was deployed to [[Iraq War of 2003|Iraq]] to participate in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] with [[Multi-National Forces - Iraq|Multi National Forces-Iraq]] Strategic Effects Directorate. He returned home in May 2008. From October 2009 to October 2010, he served on active duty on the staff of the [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]], [[Admiral Mike Mullen]]. During this time, he completed a temporary assignment as a member of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A).


He served on active duty as Director of Public Affairs for Vice Admiral [[Robin Braun]], Chief of the [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]] from 2014–2016.
He served on active duty as Director of Public Affairs for Vice Admiral [[Robin Braun]], Chief of the [[United States Navy Reserve|Navy Reserve]] from 2014 to 2016.


His military decorations include the [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]], Meritorious Service Medal, [[Joint Service Commendation Medal]], [[Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal]] (four awards), U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and various other service awards.
His military decorations include the [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]], Meritorious Service Medal, [[Joint Service Commendation Medal]], [[Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal]] (four awards), U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and various other service awards.


==Maine Secretary of State==
==Maine Secretary of State==
On December 1, 2010 Summers was elected Maine's Secretary of State<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/37258/charles-summers-jr |title=Secretary Charles Summers, Jr. Biography – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |date= |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref> by the state legislature in Augusta. His two-year term began on January 6, 2011.
On December 1, 2010, Summers was elected Maine's Secretary of State<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/37258/charles-summers-jr |title=Secretary Charles Summers, Jr. Biography – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |date= |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref> by the state legislature in Augusta. His two-year term began on January 6, 2011.


On June 26, 2012, Summers faced criticism from the [[Maine Democratic Party]] over a shortage of voter registration cards for candidates to distribute. A spokesperson for the Party claimed it was another example of Summers attempting to make it harder to vote, along with his support of a failed effort to eliminate same-day voter registration in Maine the prior year, as well as his investigation of college students for alleged voter fraud.<ref>{{cite web|author=Matthew Stone |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/25/politics/secretary-of-state-office-has-voter-registration-card-shortage-dems-blame-charlie-summers/?ref=regionaugusta |title=Secretary of state office has voter registration card shortage; Dems blame Charlie Summers|work=Bangor Daily News |date=June 25, 2012 |accessdate=2012-10-31}}</ref> Summers noted that potential voters can print a card from the Internet at any time, and that updated registration cards will be available in a few weeks.<ref name="notresign" />
On June 26, 2012, Summers faced criticism from the [[Maine Democratic Party]] over a shortage of voter registration cards for candidates to distribute. A spokesperson for the Party claimed it was another example of Summers attempting to make it harder to vote, along with his support of a failed effort to eliminate same-day voter registration in Maine the prior year, as well as his investigation of college students for alleged voter fraud.<ref>{{cite web|author=Matthew Stone |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/25/politics/secretary-of-state-office-has-voter-registration-card-shortage-dems-blame-charlie-summers/?ref=regionaugusta |title=Secretary of state office has voter registration card shortage; Dems blame Charlie Summers|work=Bangor Daily News |date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=2012-10-31}}</ref> Summers noted that potential voters can print a card from the Internet at any time, and that updated registration cards will be available in a few weeks.<ref name="notresign" />


==2012 U.S. Senate election==
==2012 U.S. Senate election==
{{Main|United States Senate election in Maine, 2012}}
{{Main|2012 United States Senate election in Maine}}
In 2012, Summers announced that he would be a candidate for the [[United States Senate]] to succeed incumbent [[Olympia Snowe]], who decided to retire. On June 12, Summers won a multi-candidate primary with 30% of the vote and faced former Independent Governor [[Angus King]], and Democratic State Senator [[Cynthia Dill]] in the general election. Despite the support of Senator Snowe and the other Senator from Maine [[Susan Collins]], Summers lost the election to King.
In 2012, Summers announced that he would be a candidate for the [[United States Senate]] to succeed incumbent [[Olympia Snowe]], who decided to retire. On June 12, Summers won a multi-candidate primary with 30% of the vote and faced former Independent Governor [[Angus King]], and Democratic State Senator [[Cynthia Dill]] in the general election. Despite the support of Senator Snowe and the other Senator from Maine [[Susan Collins]], Summers lost the election to King.


The [[Maine People's Alliance]] called on Summers to resign his position as [[Secretary of State of Maine]], stating that it was a conflict of interest for the Secretary of State to oversee their own election to another office. They also had concerns over past actions in sending letters to college students about voter registration requirements. A spokesperson for Summers stated that he had turned over all election oversight to a deputy Secretary of State. No Secretary of State or [[Maine Attorney General]] who was seeking higher office in the last 30 years has resigned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/21/politics/maine-peoples-alliance-wants-summers-resignation/?ref=regionaugusta|title=Maine People’s Alliance wants Summers resignation|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=June 21, 2012|accessdate=June 21, 2012}}</ref> Summers has stated that his critics "want me to resign and I'm not going to do it."<ref name="notresign">{{cite web|url=http://www.kjonline.com/news/Summers-to-keep-state-job-during-Senate-campaign.html|title=Summers won't resign as Secretary of State during Senate campaign|publisher=Kennebec Journal|date=June 26, 2012|accessdate=June 26, 2012}}</ref>
The [[Maine People's Alliance]] called on Summers to resign his position as [[Secretary of State of Maine]], stating that it was a conflict of interest for the Secretary of State to oversee their own election to another office. They also had concerns over past actions in sending letters to college students about voter registration requirements. A spokesperson for Summers stated that he had turned over all election oversight to a deputy Secretary of State. No Secretary of State or [[Maine Attorney General]] who was seeking higher office in the last 30 years has resigned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/06/21/politics/maine-peoples-alliance-wants-summers-resignation/?ref=regionaugusta|title=Maine People's Alliance wants Summers resignation|publisher=Bangor Daily News|date=June 21, 2012|access-date=June 21, 2012}}</ref> Summers has stated that his critics "want me to resign and I'm not going to do it."<ref name="notresign">{{cite web|url=http://www.kjonline.com/news/Summers-to-keep-state-job-during-Senate-campaign.html|title=Summers won't resign as Secretary of State during Senate campaign|publisher=Kennebec Journal|date=June 26, 2012|access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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* [http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Charlie_Summers.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/Charlie_Summers.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* -->
* -->
* {{C-SPAN|Charlie Summers}}
* {{C-SPAN|1030002}}
*[http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2012&id=MES1 Campaign contributions] at [[OpenSecrets.org]]
*[http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?cycle=2012&id=MES1 Campaign contributions] at [[OpenSecrets.org]]
*[http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/06/18/recalled_to_active_duty_ex_business_agency_chief_eyes_congress/ "Recalled to active duty, ex-business agency chief eyes Congress," Boston Globe – June 18, 2007]
*[http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/06/18/recalled_to_active_duty_ex_business_agency_chief_eyes_congress/ "Recalled to active duty, ex-business agency chief eyes Congress," Boston Globe – June 18, 2007]
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{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Maine Senate]]<br>from the 31st district|years=1991–1995}}
{{s-aft|after=Joan Pendexter}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Olympia Snowe]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Olympia Snowe]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maine]]}}<br />([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 1]])|years=[[United States Senate election in Maine, 2012|2012]]}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[Maine]]}}<br />([[Classes of United States Senators|Class 1]])|years=[[2012 United States Senate election in Maine|2012]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Eric Brakey]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Eric Brakey]]}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Summers, Charles E., Jr.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Summers, Charlie}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American naval personnel of the Iraq War]]
[[Category:Republican Party Maine state senators]]
[[Category:Maine Republicans]]
[[Category:Maine state senators]]
[[Category:People from Scarborough, Maine]]
[[Category:People from Scarborough, Maine]]
[[Category:People from Kewanee, Illinois]]
[[Category:People from Kewanee, Illinois]]
[[Category:Secretaries of State of Maine]]
[[Category:Secretaries of state of Maine]]
[[Category:Small Business Administration personnel]]
[[Category:Small Business Administration personnel]]
[[Category:First Trump administration personnel]]
[[Category:United States Navy captains]]
[[Category:United States Navy captains]]
[[Category:University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign alumni]]
[[Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni]]
[[Category:American naval personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the Maine Legislature]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 15 December 2024

Charlie Summers
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs
Acting
In office
January 1, 2019 – May 19, 2019
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byDana White
Succeeded byJonathan Rath Hoffman
48th Secretary of State of Maine
In office
January 5, 2011 – January 7, 2013
GovernorPaul LePage
Preceded byMatthew Dunlap
Succeeded byMatthew Dunlap
Member of the Maine Senate
from the 31st district
In office
January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1995
Preceded byBarry Hobbins
Succeeded byJoan Pendexter
Personal details
Born (1959-12-26) December 26, 1959 (age 64)
Danville, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationBlack Hawk College
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (BS)

Charles E. Summers Jr. (born December 26, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and Iraq War veteran. A Republican from the state of Maine, he served as Acting Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs in the first Trump Administration.[1]

A member of the Maine Senate from 1991 to 1995, Summers ran for the Republican nomination for Maine's 1st congressional district in 1994, finishing second in the primary. He was the nominee for the same seat in 2004 and 2008, losing on each occasion to the Democratic candidate. From 2011 to 2013, he served as the Secretary of State of Maine. He was the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Republican Olympia Snowe in the 2012 election, but lost to former independent Governor Angus King.

Early life, education, and early political career

[edit]

He was born in Danville, Illinois in 1959. His family moved to Kewanee, Illinois where he grew up & helped run Hotel Kewanee with his mother and father from the years 1962 to 1992. In 1978 graduated from Kewanee High School in 1978 Kewanee. He earned an AA from Blackhawk College and a BS in leisure studies from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1984. After college he moved to Bangor, Maine where became the Assistant Manager of the Bangor Motor Inn. He and his first wife, Dr. Debra J. Summers, Ph.D., later moved to southern Maine where he worked as part of the management team of the South Portland Motor Inn. He later opened his own small business, "Charlie's Beverage Warehouse", in Biddeford, Maine.[2] Debra Summers died in a 1997 automobile accident.[3]

Summers was State Director for United States Senator Olympia Snowe from 1995 to 2004. He has served in various elected and appointed political positions, most recently (March 2005 – June 2007) as the New England Regional Administrator (Region I) for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). He monitored oversight of SBA's Financing, Marketing, and Outreach efforts in Offices from six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.[2]

Maine Senate

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

He was elected in 1990, becoming the first Republican to represent Maine's 31st Senate District. He was re-elected in 1992, but decided to retire in 1994 in order to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Committee assignments

[edit]
  • Joint Standing Committee on Legal Affairs
  • Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Joint Standing Committee on Taxation (Ranking Member)

Congressional elections

[edit]

1994

[edit]
See also: 1994 United States House of Representatives elections § District 1

Democratic U.S. Congressman Thomas H. Andrews, of Maine's 1st congressional district, decided to retire in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Opponents included Kevin Keogh (former Chairman of the Maine Republican Party),[4] Ted Rand (City Councilman), and James Longley, Jr. (son of former Governor James Longley, Sr.). Longley won the primary with 43% of the vote. Summers ranked second with 25%.[5]

2004

[edit]
See also: 2004 United States House of Representatives elections § District 1

Summers decided to challenge Democratic U.S. Congressman Tom Allen, of the 1st CD. He lost 60%–40%.[6]

2008

[edit]
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Maine § District 1

Allen decided to retire in 2008 in order to run for the U.S. Senate. Summers decided to run for the seat again. In the Republican primary, he defeated Dean Scontras 60%–40%.[7] In the general election, he lost to Democratic State Senator Chellie Pingree, 55%–45%.[8]

Military service

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Charlie Summers and Sean Spicer with Paula Deen on the set of the Today show in 2009

Summers has served in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 1996 as a public affairs officer, currently holding the rank of Captain (CAPT). As of December 2016, he was serving as Director, Navy Office of Information, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet.

He was recalled after the September 11 attacks, serving at the Pentagon under Gordon R. England, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. In July 2007, he was deployed to Iraq to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom with Multi National Forces-Iraq Strategic Effects Directorate. He returned home in May 2008. From October 2009 to October 2010, he served on active duty on the staff of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. During this time, he completed a temporary assignment as a member of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan (CFSOCC-A).

He served on active duty as Director of Public Affairs for Vice Admiral Robin Braun, Chief of the Navy Reserve from 2014 to 2016.

His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and various other service awards.

Maine Secretary of State

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On December 1, 2010, Summers was elected Maine's Secretary of State[9] by the state legislature in Augusta. His two-year term began on January 6, 2011.

On June 26, 2012, Summers faced criticism from the Maine Democratic Party over a shortage of voter registration cards for candidates to distribute. A spokesperson for the Party claimed it was another example of Summers attempting to make it harder to vote, along with his support of a failed effort to eliminate same-day voter registration in Maine the prior year, as well as his investigation of college students for alleged voter fraud.[10] Summers noted that potential voters can print a card from the Internet at any time, and that updated registration cards will be available in a few weeks.[11]

2012 U.S. Senate election

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Main article: 2012 United States Senate election in Maine

In 2012, Summers announced that he would be a candidate for the United States Senate to succeed incumbent Olympia Snowe, who decided to retire. On June 12, Summers won a multi-candidate primary with 30% of the vote and faced former Independent Governor Angus King, and Democratic State Senator Cynthia Dill in the general election. Despite the support of Senator Snowe and the other Senator from Maine Susan Collins, Summers lost the election to King.

The Maine People's Alliance called on Summers to resign his position as Secretary of State of Maine, stating that it was a conflict of interest for the Secretary of State to oversee their own election to another office. They also had concerns over past actions in sending letters to college students about voter registration requirements. A spokesperson for Summers stated that he had turned over all election oversight to a deputy Secretary of State. No Secretary of State or Maine Attorney General who was seeking higher office in the last 30 years has resigned.[12] Summers has stated that his critics "want me to resign and I'm not going to do it."[11]

Personal life

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Summers married his wife Ruth (Rayburn) in 2002.[3] He has three children.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Navy Reserve captain assumes role of DOD spokesman". Stars and Stripes. January 1, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Department of the Secretary of State, Detailed Biographical Information". Maine.gov. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  3. ^ a b "Bad experiences can't keep Charlie Summers down". Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel. October 28, 2012. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
  4. ^ John S. Day (March 8, 1994). "Congressional shuffle prompts field of hopefuls". Bangor Daily News. pp. 1, 3.
  5. ^ "ME District 1 – R Primary Race – Jun 14, 1994". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  6. ^ "ME – District 01 Race – Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  7. ^ "ME District 01 – R Primary Race – Jun 10, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  8. ^ "ME – District 01 Race – Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  9. ^ "Secretary Charles Summers, Jr. Biography – Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  10. ^ Matthew Stone (June 25, 2012). "Secretary of state office has voter registration card shortage; Dems blame Charlie Summers". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  11. ^ a b "Summers won't resign as Secretary of State during Senate campaign". Kennebec Journal. June 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  12. ^ "Maine People's Alliance wants Summers resignation". Bangor Daily News. June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  13. ^ https://ballotpedia.org/Charles_Summers_Jr[permanent dead link‍].
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charlie Summers.
Maine Senate
Preceded by
Barry Hobbins
 Member of the Maine Senate
from the 31st district
1991–1995 		Succeeded by
Joan Pendexter
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Maine
2011–2013 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Maine
(Class 1)
2012 		Succeeded by
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