Chris Collins (New York politician)

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Chris Collins
Chris Collins official photo.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 27th district
In office
January 3, 2013 – October 1, 2019
Preceded byKathy Hochul (Redistricting)
Succeeded byChris Jacobs
7th Executive of Erie County
In office
January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2011
Preceded byJoel Giambra
Succeeded byMark Poloncarz
Personal details
Born
Christopher Carl Collins

(1950-05-20) May 20, 1950 (age 74)
Schenectady, New York, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Collins
Children3
EducationNorth Carolina State University (BS)
University of Alabama, Birmingham (MBA)
Criminal details
Criminal statusPardoned
Criminal chargeInsider trading
PenaltySentenced to 2 years

Christopher Carl Collins (born May 20, 1950) is an American politician, and businessman who served as the U.S. representative for New York's 27th congressional district from 2013 until his resignation in 2019. Collins was elected Erie County Executive in 2007 and held that position for one term. A member of the Republican Party, Collins was the first sitting U.S. Representative to endorse Donald Trump for President of the United States, and served on Trump's presidential transition team.

In April 2018, Christopher Collins, along with his son Cameron and son's father-in-law Stephen Zarsky, were separately interviewed by FBI agents over an illegal stock tip that Collins shared with his son regarding a failed drug trial by a biopharmaceutical company Collins was associated with, avoiding several hundred thousand dollars in losses. During the FBI interview, they made false statements to cover up their involvement in an insider trading incident. According to the DOJ, Collins was arrested in August 2018, and charged with "conspiracy, securities fraud, wire fraud and making false statements to the FBI."[1] Days later, Collins announced that he was suspending his bid for a fourth term in Congress.[2]

On September 17, 2018, Collins resumed his re-election campaign. He was narrowly re-elected to Congress on November 6, 2018, prevailing over Democrat Nate McMurray with 49.4 percent of the vote to McMurray’s 48.5 percent.[3] On September 30, 2019, Collins announced his resignation from the House of Representatives.[4] The next day he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit securities fraud and making false statements to law enforcement officials. In January 2020, Judge Vernon Broderick in U.S. District Court in Manhattan sentenced Collins to 26 months in federal prison. On December 22, 2020 he was granted a full pardon by then President Trump.[5][6][7]

Early life, education, business career, and family

Collins was born in 1950 in Schenectady, New York, the son of Constance (Messier) and Gerald Edward Collins.[8] Collins moved around the country with his family, as his father was transferred several times by General Electric.[9] Collins graduated from Hendersonville High School in Hendersonville, North Carolina, in 1968.[10]

Collins earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity, in 1972.[11] Collins was inducted into the North Carolina State University Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department Hall of Fame in November 2015.[12] He then earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1975.[13]

Collins worked as a mechanical engineer at Westinghouse Electric.[14] Collins also served as President and CEO of Nuttall Gear Corporation located in Niagara Falls, New York.[13] Nuttall Gear was a 1983 leveraged buyout of the Westinghouse Electric Gear Division located in Buffalo, New York.[15] In 1997, Collins sold Nuttall to Colfax Corporation, based in Annapolis, Maryland.[15]

As of 2018, Collins and his wife, Mary, have three children and three grandchildren.[14]

Erie County Executive

Elections

Collins ran for Erie County Executive in 2007 on a platform of smaller county government, lower taxes and Six Sigma.[16] His campaign slogan was "Elect a Chief Executive, not a Chief Politician." Collins defeated Democrat James P. Keane, the deputy county executive of the Dennis Gorski administration, with 63% of the vote; his win was considered an upset.[17]

On November 8, 2011, Collins lost his bid for re-election in a race that he was predicted to win.[18] He was defeated by Democratic candidate Mark Poloncarz, the Erie County Comptroller.[19] In a county with 140,000 more Democrats than Republicans, Collins won 39 of the 44 municipalities.[18] Poloncarz won the five remaining municipalities, including the City of Buffalo, by a margin of 81% to 19%.[18]

Tenure

Collins speaking at the 2008 Republican National Convention

When Collins became Erie County Executive, he inherited from his Republican predecessor, Joel Giambra, a nearly bankrupt county that had state-imposed fiscal control with a budget of $1.2 billion.[16][17] Collins spoke for three minutes at the 2008 Republican National Convention on September 3, 2008.[20] By June 2009, the state-imposed strict oversight of the Erie County budget ended.[21]

Collins recruited a Six Sigma Master Black Belt from the University at Buffalo who had previously worked as an executive at Delphi to implement Lean Six Sigma across all county departments under the direction of the county executive to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The position's $115,000 salary plus associated costs was funded by a grant of taxpayer money from the Erie County Control Board.[22]

Collins sued the county so that he could unilaterally increase the county attorney's salary.[23] The State Supreme Court Judge presiding over the case ruled in favor of Collins and awarded the higher salary to the incoming County Attorney.[24]

Collins was sued by the United States Department of Justice for repeated civil rights violations of prisoners held in county facilities, including juveniles and prisoners with developmental disabilities.[25] The Department of Justice and Erie County co-signed a stipulated settlement of dismissal in August 2011.[26] He was also sued by the County Legislature for refusing to issue payments to Erie Community College that had been included in the county's budget.[27]

As County Executive, Collins created the Brighter Future Fund, donating his county salary to local non-profit organizations for the first 18 months of his tenure.[28]

In February 2008, Erie County experienced a potential Hepatitis A emergency when an infected employee handled produce at a popular supermarket. Over the course of several days, the County vaccinated and inoculated 10,000 people to protect the public.[29]

In January 2010, two Republican Members of the New York State Assembly (including Republican Assemblyman Joseph Errigo), claimed that Collins had behaved inappropriately at Gov. David Paterson's State of the State address. According to the two assemblymembers, the event was crowded, and Collins made the following comment to a female attendee: "I'm sure if you offer someone a lap dance you can find a place to sit."[30] Collins denied making the comment, and claimed that there was a "political smear campaign" going on against him.[31][32]

During his lame duck period as Chief Executive, Collins proposed spending $6 million to upgrade housing for polar bears at Buffalo Zoo at the same time as he proposed to lay off 155 workers.[16]

Political future

Beginning in 2009, Collins was mentioned as a potential candidate for Governor of New York in the 2010 election, particularly if Rudy Giuliani decided not to run.[33][34][35] In January 2010, Collins announced that he would not run for governor that year.[36]

Before he lost his 2011 bid for re-election, Collins was mentioned as a potential candidate in the 2014 gubernatorial election.[17] In 2013, Collins disclaimed any interest in running for Governor in 2014.[37]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

On June 26, 2012, Collins won the Republican primary, defeating Iraq War veteran David Bellavia 60%–40%. Collins had the Republican and Conservative party lines for the November general election and defeated Hochul 51%–49%,[38] a difference of 4,312 votes.

2014

See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 27

Collins won re-election to a second term by defeating Democratic opponent Jim O'Donnell 72%–28%.[39]

2016

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 27

Collins won re-election to a third term by defeating Democratic opponent Diana K. Kastenbaum 220,885 (67.7%) to 107,832 (32.3%).[40]

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 27

On August 11, following his arrest on federal charges of insider trading, Collins announced that he was suspending his reelection campaign; he added that he intended to serve out the balance of his term.[41] Under New York election law, Collins would remain on the ballot for the November election unless he died, accepted a nomination for a different office, moved out of state, or was disqualified. According to CNN, Republican officials considered nominating him for a town clerk position; this move would allow Collins to be removed from the ballot and replaced with a different candidate.[41][42] In either case, the eight Republican county chairs in the district would then select a replacement in a vote weighted by county population.[41] Twelve Republicans were mentioned as potential replacements for Collins on the general election ballot.[43]

On September 17, 2018, Collins reversed his decision about the upcoming election, stating that he would remain on the ballot and campaign for another term in office.[44]

Collins was re-elected by a much narrower margin than he had been in prior years, defeating Democrat Nate McMurray, 49.1% to 48.8%.[45][46]

Tenure

During his tenure in the 113th Congress, Christopher Collins, sworn in on January 3, 2013, served on both the Agriculture and Small Business committees and chaired the subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology under House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves.[47] Notably, Collins chaired a field hearing addressing broadband access for small businesses in rural New York.[48][49] He actively participated in the passing of the 2013 and 2014 Farm Bills,[50] and introduced the Kids Before Cons Act in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal for publicly financed college education for state prison inmates.[51] In the subsequent Congresses, Collins served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, focusing on issues such as American energy independence,[52] medical research funding, drug approval oversight,[52] and broadband Internet access in rural areas.[53] However, in August 2018, following his arrest by the FBI on insider trading charges, Collins was stripped of all congressional committee assignments and faced an Ethics Committee investigation. Subsequently, in the 116th Congress, new caucus rules barred indicted members from serving on committees, effectively limiting Collins' legislative role.[54]

Political positions

2016 presidential election

After initially endorsing Jeb Bush in the 2016 presidential election and donating money to a Bush-aligned SuperPAC, Collins endorsed Donald Trump for president when Bush dropped out of the race.[55] Collins endorsed Trump on February 24, 2016, becoming the first sitting member of Congress to endorse him.[56] He cited shared pasts in business and a need for businessmen in the White House as having influenced his decision.[56] On July 18, Collins seconded Trump's nomination at the 2016 Republican National Convention.[57] According to The New York Times, Collins is "one of Donald Trump’s earliest and most ardent supporters".[58] Following the 2016 election, Collins served on Trump's presidential transition team.[59]

Health care

On May 4, 2017, Collins voted in favor of repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and to pass the American Health Care Act.[60][61] Collins made headlines for admitting he had not read the full health care bill before voting.[62] In an interview with a Buffalo News reporter, Collins admitted that he was unaware but unconcerned that New York would lose $3 billion worth of federal funds annually under the AHCA, by losing New York's Essential Health Plan, an optional ACA program that provided low-cost health insurance to thousands of "low- and middle-income people who d[id]n't qualify for Medicaid", to which Collins responded, "No. [I was not aware] But it doesn't surprise me for you to tell me that there were two states in the nation that were taking advantage of some other waiver program and New York was one of the two states."[63]

In an interview in The Batavian on June 24, 2012, Collins said: "People now don't die from prostate cancer, breast cancer and some of the other things. The fact of the matter is, our healthcare today is so much better, we're living so much longer, because of innovations in drug development, surgical procedures, stents, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neural stimulators – they didn't exist 10 years ago."[64] In response, Elise Foley of The Huffington Post wrote, "An estimated 577,190 people in the United States will die from cancer this year, including about 39,920 deaths from breast cancer and 28,170 from prostate cancer", citing data from the American Cancer Society.[65]

Artvoice wrote, "The implantable cardiac defibrillator and neural stimulators, or TENS devices, were both invented and patented in the late 60s or early 70s; therefore, they existed '10 years ago'".[66]

Law enforcement

In February 2014, Collins introduced the Kids before Cons Act to prohibit the use of federal money to provide college education to convicted criminals in prison. An editorial in The New York Times said, "These ridiculous arguments are unmoored from both reason and reality." A 2013 RAND study of 30 years of research found that every dollar spent on inmate education saves $4 to $5 on re-incarceration.[67]

Collins supported Donald Trump's May 9, 2017, firing of FBI Director James Comey, saying "The Director of the FBI serves at the pleasure of the President. I respect President Trump's decision at the recommendation of the Attorney General."[68]

National security

Collins supported President Donald Trump's 2017 Executive Order 13769 restricting immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries. He stated that "I get a little frustrated with the folks who don't like Trump trying to make something into something it's not. So I'm just disappointed that we can't have a true and honest debate without someone inflaming the situation and claiming there's religious overtones."[69]

Taxes

Collins was one of only two House members from New York state (along with Tom Reed) to support the provision in Republican tax overhaul bill introduced November 2, 2017, eliminating personal deductions for state income taxes on federal tax forms. In response New York Governor Andrew Cuomo labeled the two lawmakers "the Benedict Arnolds of their time", claiming that the loss of the deduction would cost New York State taxpayers nearly $15 billion and do grave damage to the state.[70] Collins said that under Cuomo, New York is the highest-taxed, most regulated, least business-friendly state in the nation and urged Cuomo to cut the state's budget.[71] Asked if his donors were pleased with the House's tax reform plan so far, Collins said, "My donors are basically saying 'get it done or don't ever call me again.'"[72]

Comments about other politicians

In October 2009, Collins compared New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (who is Jewish) to Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, and the antichrist. Collins later apologized for his comments.[73]

On November 28, 2016, Collins made strongly negative remarks about Mitt Romney, who was being considered by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of State. On the TV show New Day, Collins said, "What do I know about Mitt Romney? I know that he's a self-serving egomaniac who puts himself first, who has a chip on his shoulder, and thinks that he should be president of the United States."[74]

On February 10, 2017, Collins told Chris Cuomo on CNN's New Day that elected officials should not have to release their respective tax histories. This comment was made in response to the ongoing controversy concerning Trump's refusal to release his tax forms.[75]

In June 14, 2017, a leftwing domestic terrorist shot several GOP Congress members who were training for an annual Washington DC charity game that pits Democrats versus Republicans. In a reaction Collins blamed Democrats, saying, "I can only hope that the Democrats do tone down the rhetoric. The rhetoric has been outrageous in the anger directed at Donald Trump."[76] Shortly after making that comment, Collins noted that it was important for everyone, including himself, to tone down partisan rhetoric and "recognize that we are all one country and all proud Americans."[77] Collins also vowed to start carrying a gun with him "from this day forward."[78]

References

  1. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (October 1, 2023). "Indicted while in office: Menendez among 7 members of Congress charged in recent years". The Hill. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Goldmacher, Shane (August 11, 2018). "Representative Chris Collins Suspends Bid for Re-election After Insider Trading Charges". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Burke, Michael (November 7, 2018). "GOP Rep. Chris Collins wins reelection in NY despite insider trading charges". The Hill. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Ramey, Corinne (September 30, 2019). "Rep. Chris Collins, Charged in Insider-Trading Case, Resigns". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  5. ^ Breuninger, Kevin; Mangan, Dan; Higgins, Tucker (January 17, 2020). "Ex-New York congressman Chris Collins sentenced to 26 months for insider-trading tip to son". CNBC. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  6. ^ "Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Grants of Clemency". whitehouse.gov – via National Archives.
  7. ^ Mangan, Dan (December 23, 2020). "Trump pardons 15, including people convicted in Mueller probe". CNBC. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  8. ^ Who's who in Finance and Industry. Marquis Who's Who. October 30, 2018. ISBN 9780837903378 – via Google Books.
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  10. ^ Axtell, Nathaniel (November 13, 2012). "Congressman-elect Chris Collins of New York is a 1968 graduate of Hendersonville High School". BlueRidgeNow.com. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  11. ^ "Alumni Keep Active" (PDF). The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol. 68, no. 1. Spring 1980. p. 7.
  12. ^ "Congratulations to the 2015 MAE Hall of Fame Inductees". North Carolina State University. November 19, 2015. Archived from the original on January 5, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
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  15. ^ a b "History". Nuttall Gear. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
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  24. ^ "Judge orders higher pay for county lawyer" (PDF). Erie.gov. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  25. ^ United States Department of Justice. "Justice Department Files Lawsuit Challenging Conditions at Two Erie County, New York, Correctional Facilities". Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  26. ^ "U.S. suit on county jail, prison to be dismissed; Justice Department, county attorney sign agreement to end legal action, Collins says". The Buffalo News. August 18, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  27. ^ Sampson, Doug. "Erie County Legislature sues County Executive Chris Collins". Retrieved March 15, 2013.
  28. ^ "Top county salaries create 'Bright Future'". Bizjournals.com. February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  29. ^ "Hepatitis scare raises concerns Offers glimpse into nightmare of a flu pandemic". February 14, 2008.
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  39. ^ "New York House results – 2014 Election Center". CNN. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
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  51. ^ Kasperowicz, Pete (February 26, 2014). "Should taxpayers fund college courses for prison inmates". The Hill. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  52. ^ a b "Collins to join influential House Energy and Commerce Committee". The Buffalo News. December 4, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
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  54. ^ Linge, Mary Kay (November 17, 2018). "House GOP votes on new rules to kick indicted lawmakers off committees". New York Post. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  55. ^ Zremski, Jerry (August 24, 2016). "Clinton outraises Trump eightfold in Western New York". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  56. ^ a b Zremski, Jerry (February 24, 2016). "Chris Collins becomes first sitting member of Congress to endorse Trump". The Buffalo News.
  57. ^ Gorbman, Randy. "Rep. Chris Collins Gets To Second Trump's Nomination".
  58. ^ "Third-Party Line Will Feature Governor Cuomo, and a Slew of Republicans". Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  59. ^ WGRZ-TV, "Rep. Chris Collins named to Trump transition team", Democrat and Chronicle, November 16, 2016.
  60. ^ "How the House voted to pass the GOP health-care bill". Washington Post. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  61. ^ "How every member voted on health care bill". CNN. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  62. ^ Manduley, Christina. "Congressman admits he didn't read full health care bill before voting". CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  63. ^ Jerry Zremski (May 4, 2017). "Watch: Chris Collins admits he didn't read health care bill". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  64. ^ Owens, Howard (June 24, 2012). "Chris Collins wants to go to Washington to restore the American Dream". The Batavian. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  65. ^ Foley, Elise (July 3, 2012). "Chris Collins: 'People Now Don't Die From Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  66. ^ "Collins: People Don't Die from Prostate, Breast Cancers Anymore". Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  67. ^ "Gov. Cuomo Drops the Ball". The New York Times. April 8, 2014.
  68. ^ "Congressional representatives from Rochester area react to Comey firing". 13wham.org. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  69. ^ Blake, Aaron. "Coffman, Gardner join Republicans against President Trump's travel ban; here's where the rest stand". Denver Post. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  70. ^ Jerry Zremski "Reed and Collins revel in tax compromise that Cuomo and Schumer abhor", Buffalo News, November 1, 2017, Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  71. ^ "To 'King Cuomo,' cutting New Yorkers' taxes is treason". New York Post. October 30, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  72. ^ Marcos, Christina (November 7, 2017). "GOP lawmaker: Donors are pushing me to get tax reform done". The Hill. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  73. ^ Benjamin, Elizabeth (October 26, 2009). "Erie County Executive Collins regrets comparing Sheldon Silver to Hitler, anti-Christ". Daily News.
  74. ^ Wright, David, "Trump ally: Romney a 'self-serving egomaniac'", CNN, November 28, 2016.
  75. ^ Scott, Eugene, "Congressman: Elected officials shouldn't release taxes", CNN, February 10, 2017.
  76. ^ "Republicans, Democrats call for unity after congressional shooting", CBS News, June 14, 2017; retrieved June 17, 2017.
  77. ^ "Congressman Chris Collins Statement on Shooting in Alexandria, Virginia". Congressman Chris Collins. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
  78. ^ Jenkins, Aric, "GOP Congressman Vows to Carry Gun 'From This Day Forward' Following Virginia Shooting", Time, June 14, 2017, Retrieved June 17, 2017.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by Executive of Erie County
2008–2011 		Succeeded by
Mark Poloncarz
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 27th congressional district
2013–2019 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative 		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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