A new report exposes Cal Cunningham as a hypocrite who says one thing on the campaign trail, but isn’t living the values he espouses in his talking points.
Cunningham utilized a rarely-used tax loophole to knock $40,000 off a $130,000 luxury home renovation that added a butler’s pantry, wet bar, new hardwood flooring, and expanded the square footage of the master bedroom at Cal’s home in an exclusive Raleigh neighborhood.
But on the campaign trail, Cunningham has railed against the wealthy not paying “their fair share.” Cunningham has been criticized for voting for a $1 billion tax increase. In voting for the massive tax increase, Cunningham said: “We asked those who have benefited from the work of some very savvy tax lawyers to pay their fair share.” Cunningham also wagged his finger at wealthy people avoiding paying taxes: “If it’s a tight year and we have to cut $377 million out of the state budget, then those who have benefited from loopholes should do their part.”
Then, just a few years later, it was Cunningham was was “benefit[ing] from loopholes” thanks to the work of “some very savvy tax lawyers.” Oops.
“Cal Cunningham thinks the ‘wealthy’ should ‘pay their fair share’ – just as long as it isn’t him. This kind of hypocrisy and doublespeak are the exact reason we just can’t trust anything that comes out of Cal’s mouth. By this point, it’s a sure bet if Cunningham is talking, he’s lying.” -SLF Communications Director Jack Pandol