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Carolyn McCarthy

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Carolyn McCarthy

Carolyn McCarthy (née Cook; January 5, 1944 – June 26, 2025) was an American politician who served as a Democrat member of the United States House of Representatives, representing New York's 4th congressional district from 1997 to 2015. A native of the suburban Long Island community of Mineola, New York, she worked as a nurse and was a registered Republican. However, she was motivated to enter politics after her husband was killed and her son was wounded in the 1993 Long Island Rail Road shooting. She became an advocate for gun control legislation, and in 1996, she was elected to the House as a Democrat, defeating a Republican incumbent. She served a total of nine terms. On January 8, 2014, she announced that she would not run for re-election that November, citing health; she retired in January 2015 and was succeeded by fellow Democrat Kathleen Rice.

Infobox

Preceded by
Dan Frisa
Succeeded by
Kathleen Rice
Born
Carolyn Cook(1944-01-05)January 5, 1944New York City, U.S.
Died
June 26, 2025(2025-06-26) (aged 81)Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
Political party
Republican (before 2003)Democratic (2003–2025)[a]
Other politicalaffiliations
House Democrat Caucus (1997–2015)
Spouse
mw- Dennis McCarthy (m. 1967; died 1993)
Children
1
Education
Glen Cove Nursing School
Party
Republican (before 2003)Democrat (2003–2025)[a]

Tables

· Electoral history
Year
Year
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Year
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Candidate
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Votes
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
±%
2012
2012
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2012
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
138,561
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
62%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
+8%
Fran Becker Jr. (R)
Fran Becker Jr. (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Fran Becker Jr. (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
72,673
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
32%
2010
2010
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2010
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
89,828
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
54%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
-8%
Fran Becker Jr.
Fran Becker Jr.
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Fran Becker Jr.
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
77,483
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
46%
2008
2008
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2008
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
164,028
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
62%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
-2.9%
Jack Martins (R)
Jack Martins (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Jack Martins (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
94,242
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
38%
2006
2006
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2006
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
101,861
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
64.9%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
+1.9%
Martin W. Blessinger (R)
Martin W. Blessinger (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Martin W. Blessinger (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
55,050
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
35.1%
2004
2004
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2004
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
159,969
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
63.0%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
+7.1%
James Garner (R)
James Garner (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
James Garner (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
94,141
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
37.0%
2002
2002
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2002
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
93,651
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
55.9%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
-4.7%
Marilyn F. O'Grady (R)
Marilyn F. O'Grady (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Marilyn F. O'Grady (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
72,882
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
43.5%
2000
2000
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
2000
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
136,703
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
60.6%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
+8.0
Gregory R. Becker (R)
Gregory R. Becker (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Gregory R. Becker (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
87,830
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
38.9%
1998
1998
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
1998
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
90,256
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
52.6%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
-4.9
Gregory R. Becker (R)
Gregory R. Becker (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Gregory R. Becker (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
79,984
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
46.6%
1996
1996
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
1996
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
127,060
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
57.5%
Daniel Frisa (R)
Daniel Frisa (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Daniel Frisa (R)
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
89,542
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
40.5%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
-9.7%
New York's 4th U.S. Congressional District
Year
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
2012
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
138,561
62%
+8%
Fran Becker Jr. (R)
72,673
32%
2010
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
89,828
54%
-8%
Fran Becker Jr.
77,483
46%
2008
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
164,028
62%
-2.9%
Jack Martins (R)
94,242
38%
2006
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
101,861
64.9%
+1.9%
Martin W. Blessinger (R)
55,050
35.1%
2004
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
159,969
63.0%
+7.1%
James Garner (R)
94,141
37.0%
2002
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
93,651
55.9%
-4.7%
Marilyn F. O'Grady (R)
72,882
43.5%
2000
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
136,703
60.6%
+8.0
Gregory R. Becker (R)
87,830
38.9%
1998
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
90,256
52.6%
-4.9
Gregory R. Becker (R)
79,984
46.6%
1996
Carolyn McCarthy (D)
127,060
57.5%
Daniel Frisa (R)
89,542
40.5%
-9.7%
· External links
House of Representatives
Preceded byDan Frisa
Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom New York's 4th congressional district 1997–2015
Succeeded byKathleen Rice

References

  1. McCarthy first ran for Congress as a Democrat in 1996, and spent her entire congressional tenure in the Democrat caucus,
  2. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/29/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-mineola-mccarthy-quietly-changes-registration.html
  3. Wantagh-Seaford Patch
    http://wantagh.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/mccarthy-will-not-seek-reelection-wantagh
  4. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/nyregion/carolyn-mccarthy-dead.html
  5. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/07/us/li-widow-s-story-next-stop-washington.html
  6. Current Biography Yearbook, 1998
    https://archive.org/details/currentbiography1998eliz/page/414/mode/1up?q=%22Carolyn+McCarthy%22
  7. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/15/nyregion/train-shooting-victim-speaks-for-first-time-since-injury.html
  8. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/07/nyregion/a-year-later-the-demons-remain-fear-still-haunts-lirr-shooting-survivors.html
  9. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/arts/television-review-after-massacre-fact-meets-memory.html
  10. National Review
    http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/226943/stick-your-guns-senator/dave-kopel
  11. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2011/01/mccarthy-unveils-gun-control-bill-047565
  12. The Washington Post
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170825020739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/carolyn-mccarthy-d-ny/gIQAiZEKAP_topic.html#t-a-glance
  13. "List of Standing Committees and Select Committees and Their Subcommittees of the House of Representatives of the U.S. : Together with Joint Committees of the Congress with an Alphabetical List of the Members and Their Committee Assignments"
    https://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/scsoal.pdf
  14. "MCCARTHY, Carolyn | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives"
    https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/17705
  15. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/22/magazine/an-icon-goes-to-washington.html
  16. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/07/nyregion/threats-are-a-price-for-backing-gun-control.html
  17. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-15-mn-54043-story.html
  18. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/18/us/gingrich-tries-to-rein-in-ally-on-big-spending-for-highways.html
  19. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/05/us/senate-looks-for-clues-on-youth-violence.html
  20. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/17/us/house-undertakes-days-long-battle-on-youth-violence.html
  21. "Rep. McCarthy Statement on Virginia Tech Shootings"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070630171348/http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/?sectionid=155&sectiontree=155&itemid=613
  22. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/14/washington/14guns.html
  23. Newsday
    http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/nation/ny-usgun095530870jan09,0,7931141.story
  24. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/24/lawmakers-to-unveil-new-assault-weapons-ban/?tid=ts_carousel
  25. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna18200226
  26. Reason
    https://reason.com/blog/2013/02/01/one-assault-weapon-banner-says-barrel-sh
  27. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/01/02/carolyn-mccarthy-retiring/20599293/
  28. MSNBC
    https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/nra-mocks-congresswoman-whose-husband-died
  29. "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 455"
    https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2002/roll455.xml
  30. Newsday
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080217020936/http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-ushous174785265jun17%2C0%2C4181826.story
  31. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/06/nyregion/widow-of-rail-shooting-victim-defeats-incumbent-in-emotional-contest-on-li.html
  32. "Carolyn McCarthy"
    http://www.issues2000.org/NY/Carolyn_McCarthy.htm
  33. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/21/business/legal-experts-say-allstate-lost-a-battle-in-agents-suit.html
  34. "Testimony Before the Committee on Education and The Workforce"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070201051114/http://republicans.edlabor.house.gov/archive/hearings/105th/fc/special51398/mccarthy.htm
  35. "H.R. 73 [107th]: Early Prevention of Dyslexia in Children Act of 2001"
    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h107-73
  36. "Rep. McCarthy Votes to Provide Health Insurance for Long Island's Children"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080131061602/http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/?sectionid=11&parentid=1&sectiontree=11&itemid=693
  37. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/washington/06health.html
  38. "Rep. McCarthy Statement on Stem Cell Research Vote"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080131061443/http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/?sectionid=11&parentid=1&sectiontree=11&itemid=28
  39. "H.R. 3: Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007"
    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?tab=summary&bill=h110-3
  40. "GovTrack: House Vote on Conference Report: S. 900 [106th]: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act"
    https://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h1999-570
  41. "Tea Party Republicans Block Vote to Decrease Taxes for 160 Million Americans"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120421084613/http://carolynmccarthy.house.gov/recent-news/tea-party-republicans-block-vote-to-decrease-taxes-for-160-million-americans
  42. Henry J. Latham 1953–58, Seymour Halpern 1959–63, John W. Wydler 1963–73, Norman F. Lent 1973–93, David A. Levy 1993–95,
  43. "United States Presidential Election Results"
    http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
  44. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/22/us/congressional-roundup-personal-plea-on-gun-ban.html
  45. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/12/nyregion/hurled-by-tragedy-into-public-life-a-novice-learns-to-cope.html
  46. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/28/us/a-woman-comes-to-politics-via-personal-trial.html
  47. "1996 U.S. House of Representatives Results"
    https://www.fec.gov/pubrec/fe1996/hrny.htm
  48. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/07/nyregion/crossovers-for-mccarthy.html
  49. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/05/nyregion/1998-elections-new-york-state-congress-mccarthy-re-elected-slim-margin.html
  50. New York Daily News
    https://archive.today/20130130055442/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-10-25/news/27079112_1_house-races-new-york-democrats-race-with-gop-challenger
  51. The New York Observer
    https://web.archive.org/web/20101107173942/http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/mccarthy-declares-victory
  52. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/nyregion/24senator.html
  53. Boston Herald
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090618005527/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/northeast/view/2009_01_23_New_York_pol_fumes_over_Senate_choice/
  54. NY News and Feature
    https://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/encounter/54343/
  55. "McCarthy Not Challenging Gillibrand In 2010 Senate Primary | TPMDC"
    http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/06/mccarthy-not-challenging-gillibrand-in-2010-senate-primary.php
  56. New York Daily News
    https://archive.today/20130130041956/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-08/news/31039503_1_redrawing-congressional-boundaries-congressional-seats-district
  57. New York Daily News
    https://archive.today/20130130074450/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-09/news/31043501_1_redistrict-plan-district-boundaries-mccarthy
  58. The Post-Standard
    https://archive.today/20130204041512/http://elections.syracuse.com/dynamic/external/pre-election/profilesdistricts/NY04.html?SITE=NYSYRELN&SECTION=POLITICS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
  59. "News 12 Long Island General Election Results 2010"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111113130642/http://videos.news12.com/2010GenElecLI/results.htm#Nassau%20County
  60. "Statistics of the Congressional Election Of November 8, 1994"
    https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1994/94Stat.htm#32
  61. "Rep. Carolyn McCarthy says she has lung cancer"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130613184009/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=9126052
  62. "NY Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, a longtime smoker, sues asbestos companies over her lung cancer"
    https://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/11/ny_rep_carolyn_mccarthy_a_longtime_smoker_sues_asbestos_companies_over_her_lung.html
  63. "You searched for asbestos/"
    https://survivingmesothelioma.com/?s=asbestos/
  64. "Rep. Carolyn McCarthy Announces Plan to Retire from Congress at End of Term"
    https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/01/08/rep-mccarthy-announces-plan-to-retire-from-congress-at-end-of-term/
  65. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/opinion/nocera-the-asbestos-scam.html
  66. Newsday
    https://www.newsday.com/long-island/obituaries/carolyn-mccarthy-obituary-blu7hqga
  67. The White House
    https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/02/president-biden-announces-recipients-of-the-presidential-citizens-medal/
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