View source for Robert Pittenger

{{Short description|American politician (born 1948)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Robert Pittenger
| image = Robert Pittenger, Official Portrait, 113th Congress.jpg  
| state = [[North Carolina]]
| district = {{ushr|NC|9|9th}}
| term_start = January 3, 2013
| term_end = January 3, 2019
| predecessor = [[Sue Myrick]]
| successor = [[Dan Bishop]]
| office1 = Member of the [[North Carolina Senate]]
| term_start1 = January 1, 2003
| term_end1 = May 27, 2008
| predecessor1 = [[Fountain Odom]] (40th, redistricted)<br>[[Bob Rucho]] (39th)
| successor1 = [[Bob Rucho]]
| constituency1 = [[North Carolina's 40th Senate district|40th]] district (2003–2005)<br>[[North Carolina's 39th Senate district|39th]] district (2005–2008)
| birth_name = Robert Miller Pittenger
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|8|15}}
| birth_place = [[Dallas]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = {{marriage|Suzanne Bahakel|1978}}
| children = 4
| education = [[University of Texas, Austin]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
}}
'''Robert Miller Pittenger''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɪ|t|ən|dʒ|ər}}; born August 15, 1948) is a businessman and [[United States|American]] [[politician]] who was the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[North Carolina's 9th congressional district]] from 2013 to 2019. The district included several outer portions of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] as well as many of that city's southern and eastern suburbs. He is a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].

==Early life, education, and business career==
Pittenger was born in Texas and attended the [[University of Texas]]. After graduating he worked for [[Campus Crusade for Christ]] before moving to Charlotte in 1985 and becoming a real estate investor.

==North Carolina Senate (2003–2007)==

===Elections===
After redistricting, Pittenger decided to run for the 40th senate district of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Biography |url=http://pittenger.house.gov/about/full-biography |publisher=Office of Congressman Robert Pittenger |access-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref> He defeated Democratic State Senator Fountain Odom 55%–43%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=24125 |title=NC State Senate 40 Race - Nov 05, 2002 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> In 2004 he ran for the 39th senate district and defeated Libertarian nominee Andy Grum 89%–11%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=84971 |title=NC State Senate 39 Race - Nov 02, 2004 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, he won reelection to a third term unopposed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=287550|title=Our Campaigns - NC State Senate 39 Race - Nov 07, 2006}}</ref>

===Tenure===
Pittenger represented the state's 39th [[North Carolina Senate|Senate]] district, which included portions of southeastern [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County]]. He was a lead sponsor of [[Right-to-life movement|Right To Life]] legislation and supported the [[North Carolina Amendment 1|North Carolina marriage amendment]],<ref name=aboutpage>{{cite web |title = About Robert Pittenger | work = robertpittenger.com (campaign site) | url = http://robertpittenger.com/about | access-date = November 5, 2013 }}</ref> although he was not in office when the amendment passed out of committee and was finally voted on by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2011.

In May 2004, he proposed cutting the state's corporate tax from 6.9% to 4.9% and the income tax rate for the state's top earners from 8.25% to 7.5%.<ref>{{cite web  | title = House Supports Business Incentives, Legislators Give Preliminary OK to $20 Million for N.C. Fund | work = Charlotte Observer |page=B1 Metro | date = May 21, 2004 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102BBE554D6FCB0B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM| access-date = November 5, 2013 }}</ref> He also proposed over $1.5 billion in spending cuts, with a focus on reducing [[Medicaid]] access for persons above the age of [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] eligibility.<ref name=aboutpage />{{dead link|date=September 2019}} 
 
In February 2005, he proposed a [[medical malpractice]] bill that would cap non-economic damages at $250,000 for physicians, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.<ref>{{cite web | title = Medical malpractice bill introduced in General Assembly | work = Triad Business Journal | date = February 2, 2005 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2005/01/31/daily37.html?jst=b_ln_hl | access-date = November 5, 2013 }}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* Appropriations/Base Budget
* Commerce
* Finance
* Insurance and Civil Justice Reform
* Pensions & Retirement and Aging
* Rules and Operation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncleg.net/DocumentSites/SenateDocuments/2005-2006%20Session/2005%20Senate%20Committees%20by%20Member.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - 2005 Senate Committees by Member.doc |website=Ncleg.net |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncleg.net/DocumentSites/SenateDocuments/2003-2004%20Session/2003%20Senate%20Committees%20by%20Member.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - 2003 Senate Committees by Member.doc |website=Ncleg.net |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref>

==2008 lieutenant gubernatorial bid==
{{See also|2008 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election}}
Pittenger defeated three other candidates in the Republican primary on May 6, 2008, becoming his party's nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina]] with 59% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=415029|title=Our Campaigns - NC Lt. Governor- R Primary Race - May 06, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Charlotte candidate announces run |work=Under The Dome (blog) |publisher=Charlotte News & Observer |date=January 10, 2008 |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/charlotte_candidate_announces_run |access-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106145540/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/charlotte_candidate_announces_run |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=And the winners are... |work=Under The Dome (blog) |publisher=Charlotte News & Observer |date=May 7, 2008 |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/and_the_winners_are |access-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106142508/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/and_the_winners_are |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> On May 27, 2008, he resigned from the Senate to focus on his campaign.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pittenger resigns from Senate |work=Under The Dome (blog) |publisher=Charlotte News & Observer |date=May 27, 2008 |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/pittenger_resigns_from_senate |access-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106144025/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/pittenger_resigns_from_senate |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref> He lost the general election to fellow State Senator, [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Walter H. Dalton]], 51%–46%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=426463 |title=NC Lt. Governor Race - Nov 04, 2008 |publisher=Our Campaigns |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2019)==
===Elections===
;2012
{{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 9}}
After [[Sue Myrick]] announced her retirement as the [[United States House of Representatives|Representative]] of [[North Carolina's 9th congressional district]] in early 2012, Pittenger announced that he would run to replace her.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/robert_pittenger_preparing_to_enter_congressional_race |title=Robert Pittenger preparing to enter congressional race &#124; newsobserver.com projects |access-date=2012-02-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716182127/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/robert_pittenger_preparing_to_enter_congressional_race |archive-date=July 16, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He failed to win the primary outright on May 8, 2012, but finished first with 32% of the vote in the 11-candidate field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=751734|title=Our Campaigns - NC District 09- R Primary Race - May 08, 2012}}</ref> In the primary runoff election held on July 17, he defeated former [[Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office|Mecklenburg County Sheriff]] Jim Pendergraph, 53%–47%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=771271|title=Our Campaigns - NC District 09 - R Runoff Race - Jul 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Morrill | first1 = Jim | last2 = Funk | first2 = Tim | date = July 18, 2012 | title = Pittenger wins bitter race in 9th, will face Roberts | journal = Charlotte Observer | page = Page 1 | location = Charlotte, North Carolina | publisher = The McClatchy Company | access-date = July 18, 2012 | url = http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/17/3388767/pittenger-wins-will-face-roberts.html | url-status = dead | archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120731065000/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/07/17/3388767/pittenger-wins-will-face-roberts.html | archive-date = July 31, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

Pittenger won the general election on November 6, defeating Democratic Mecklenburg County Commission Chairwoman [[Jennifer Roberts (politician)|Jennifer Roberts]], 52%–47%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=740216|title=Our Campaigns - NC District 09 Race - Nov 06, 2012|publisher=Our Campaigns|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/42923/114047/Web01/en/summary.html |title=Election Results : North Carolina State Board of Elections |website=Results.enr.clarityelections.com |access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref> He lost the district's share of Mecklenburg County (47%), but ran up huge margins in the [[Union County, North Carolina|Union]] (63%) and [[Iredell County|Iredell]] (64%) portions of the district. It was the closest a Republican had come to losing the district since 1986. He took office in January 2013.

On December 2, 2013, Pittenger introduced the [[Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act of 2013]], which became {{USPL|113|104}}.<ref name="3627allactions">{{cite web|url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/3627/actions|title=H.R. 3627 – All Actions|date=May 20, 2014 |publisher=United States Congress|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> The law broadens the coverage of current laws that address domestic assaults by certain repeat offenders.<ref name="cbo3627">{{cite web|url=http://cbo.gov/publication/44948|title=CBO – H.R. 3627|date=December 9, 2013 |publisher=Congressional Budget Office|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> It also requires the [[United States Department of Justice]] to write a report on [[child abuse]] prevention laws in all U.S. states and territories, "with a particular focus on penalties for cases of severe child abuse."<ref name="WBTVmay20">{{cite news|url=http://www.wbtv.com/story/25567793/president-signs-kilah-davenport-child-protection-act-into-law|title=President signs Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act into law|date=May 20, 2014|newspaper=WBTV|access-date=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

;2014
{{See also|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 9}}
Pittenger considered [[United States Senate election in North Carolina, 2014|running for]] the U.S. Senate<ref name=berry_nj>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/hotlineoncall/2013/02/n-c-labor-commissioner-considering-run-against-hagan-13|title=N.C. Labor Commissioner Considering Run Against Hagan|date=February 13, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2013|work=[[National Journal]]|first=Sarah|last=Mimms}}</ref> but instead ran for reelection to the House. In the Republican primary, he defeated Michael Steinberg, a candidate for the seat [[United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2012#District 9|in 2012]]. No Democrat filed to run for the seat, making this district the only one in the state not contested by both major parties in 2014.<ref name=ncsbe-filings>[http://www.ncsbe.gov/ncsbe/Portals/0/FilesP/CandidateFilingList.pdf NC State Board of Elections: Candidate filing list]</ref> There was an unsuccessful write-in campaign for candidate Shawn Eckles of Iredell County.<ref>[http://shawneckles.nationbuilder.com/ Campaign to Elect Shawn Eckles]</ref><ref name="ncsbe.gov">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncsbe.gov/ncsbe/Portals/0/FilesT/unaffiliated_write_in_candidates_2014.pdf |title=State Board of Elections: CERTIFIED UNAFFILIATED AND WRITE-IN CANDIDATES |access-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811030650/http://www.ncsbe.gov/ncsbe/Portals/0/FilesT/unaffiliated_write_in_candidates_2014.pdf |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

;2016
{{See also|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 9}}
The 9th was significantly redrawn after a federal court threw out the previous map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. It was pushed well to the east, stretching from southeast Charlotte all the way to [[Fayetteville, North Carolina|Fayetteville]] and the Sandhills.

Baptist pastor [[Mark Harris (North Carolina politician)|Mark Harris]] challenged Pittenger in the 2016 Republican congressional primary, losing that contest by 134 votes.<ref name=Weigel /> Pittenger defeated Christian Cano in the general election.

;2018
{{Main|2018 North Carolina's 9th congressional district election}}
Pittenger faced Mark Harris in a rematch of the 2016 Republican primary. On May 8, 2018, Harris defeated Pittenger<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article210238329.html Challenger Mark Harris stuns U.S. Rep. Pittenger of NC in GOP primary upset], ''[[Charlotte Observer]]'', Jim Morrill, May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.</ref> with 48.5 percent of the vote to Pittenger's 46.2 percent, although allegations were later raised about illegal activities by the Harris campaign. Pittenger was the first congressional incumbent to lose his primary election in 2018;<ref name=Weigel>{{cite news|last1=Weigel|first1=David|title=North Carolina GOP congressman loses primary, first House incumbent ousted|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/north-carolina-gop-congressman-loses-primary-first-house-incumbent-ousted/2018/05/08/89387348-5318-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html|access-date=12 May 2018|newspaper=Washington Post|date=May 8, 2018}}</ref> the second was [[Mark Sanford]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/12/politics/tuesday-primaries-south-carolina-virginia-nevada-north-dakota-maine/index.html|title=Trump critic Mark Sanford falls in South Carolina GOP primary|date=June 24, 2018|work=CNN}}</ref>

Harris was the apparent winner in the [[2018 North Carolina's 9th congressional district election|November 2018 general election]], but the result was not certified due to credible allegations of electoral fraud and he was never seated in Congress. As a result, a new [[2019 North Carolina's 9th congressional district special election|special election]] was called. Pittenger (and also Harris) declined to run in the special election.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Latest: Pittenger doesn't plan to run again for old seat |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article226820714.html |access-date=February 28, 2019 |work=[[The News & Observer]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=February 26, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
* [[United States House Committee on Financial Services|Committee on Financial Services]]
** [[United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit|Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit]]
** [[United States House Financial Services Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade|Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade]]
* [[Republican Study Committee]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|publisher=Republican Study Committee|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222002744/http://rsc-walker.house.gov/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Caucus memberships===
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=5 August 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[U.S.-Japan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref>

==Political positions==

The [[American Conservative Union]] gave him a lifetime Congressional evaluation of 90%.

=== Environment ===
Pittenger rejects the [[scientific consensus on climate change]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=111A0A0E5A8083F0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=On Climate, Pittenger Turns Contrarian, State Senator Disputes Global Warming Claims|date=May 14, 2006|work=Charlotte Observer|page=B1 Metro|access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10F9C0D578F705E8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=We Aren't Changing Climate, Let's Avoid Snap Judgements and Wishful Thinking on Warming Trend|date=February 5, 2006|work=Charlotte Observer|page=24A|access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=91707|title=Green Moves Could Create New Jobs|date=October 24, 2007|work=digtriad.com|publisher=[[WFMY-TV]]|access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref> In 2006, he sent a book called ''[[The Skeptical Environmentalist]]'',  published in 1998, to his colleagues in the North Carolina Senate.

=== Health care ===
Pittenger supported the [[American Health Care Act of 2017]] (AHCA), which would repeal the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act]] (ACA), also known as Obamacare. On May 2, 2017, Pittenger defended a provision of AHCA that allowed states to end requirements that insurers cannot discriminate against individuals with [[pre-existing condition]]s.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/05/pittenger-sick-people-who-lose-health-coverage-should-move.html|title=GOP Congressman Says Sick People Who Lose Affordable Health Coverage Should Just Move|last=Kilgore|first=Ed|date=May 2, 2017|magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> Pittenger said that Americans who have or develop pre-existing conditions "should just move" to a state without the waiver.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article148094229.html|title=NC congressman says where you live could determine how much health coverage you get|last=Morrill|first=Jim|date=May 2, 2017|newspaper=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/house-goper-move-to-another-state-if-you-have-a-pre-existing-condition|title=House GOPer: Move To Another State If You Have A Pre-Existing Condition|last=Ollstein|first=Alice|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=May 6, 2017|publisher=[[Talking Points Memo]]}}</ref>

===National defense===
Pittenger voted for the two-year budget plan that became law on February 9, 2018, citing the lack of options to increase military spending to provide for required training and maintenance.<ref>Clark, Lesley; Murphy, Brian. (9 February 2018). "When will it stop? Conservatives who vowed to cut spending keep spending." [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article199401849.html McClatchyDC website] Retrieved 13 February 2018.</ref>

==Controversies==
===Conflict of interest===
Pittenger has been accused of using his position as a state senator to benefit himself in a series of land deals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wfae.org/local-news/2012-08-24/questions-linger-on-robert-pittenger-land-deals|title=Questions linger on Robert Pittenger land deals
|website=WFAE.org|date=August 24, 2012
|access-date=July 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Racist remarks===
On September 22, 2016, in the wake of protests over the [[shooting of Keith Lamont Scott]], Pittenger said that the violence in Charlotte stemmed from protesters who "hate white people because white people are successful and they're not." The remark drew immediate international condemnation as racist. Fellow North Carolina congressman [[G. K. Butterfield]] called the remark "devastatingly ignorant and divisive."<ref name="newsobserver.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article103536037.html|title=Pittenger apologizes for saying Charlotte protesters 'hate white people'|website=Newsobserver.com|access-date=September 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/24/us/charlotte-protests-robert-pittenger.html|title=Congressman Tells BBC: Charlotte Protesters 'Hate White People'|last=Mele|first=Christopher|date=2016-09-23|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-11-05|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pittenger apologized, saying that his "intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African Americans because of failed policies."<ref name="newsobserver.com"/>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin no change | title=Republican primary results<ref name="2012primaryresults">{{cite web |url=http://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/awarchive?type=file&item=74611 |title=Federal Elections 2012 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |website=Utah Government Digital Library |type=pdf |date=July 2013 |access-date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Robert Pittenger
 |votes = 29,999
 |percentage = 32.4
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Jim Pendergraph
 |votes = 23,401
 |percentage = 25.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Edwin B. Peacock III
 |votes = 11,336
 |percentage = 12.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Ric Killian
 |votes = 9,691
 |percentage = 10.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Dan Barry
 |votes = 5,515
 |percentage = 6.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Andy Dulin
 |votes = 4,526
 |percentage = 4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Mike Steinberg
 |votes = 2,297
 |percentage = 2.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Jon Gauthier
 |votes = 2,056
 |percentage = 2.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Ken Leonczyk
 |votes = 2,047
 |percentage = 2.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Richard Lynch
 |votes = 1,000
 |percentage = 1.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Michael Shaffer (withdrew)
 |votes = 579
 |percentage = 0.6
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 92,447
  |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Republican primary runoff results<ref name="2012primaryresults"/>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Robert Pittenger
 |votes = 18,982
 |percentage = 52.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Jim Pendergraph
 |votes = 16,902
 |percentage = 47.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 35,884
  |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
|title = North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2012<ref name=NCSBE>{{cite web|title=North Carolina General Elections Results 2012|url=http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/42923/114645/Web01/en/summary.html|publisher=North Carolina State Board of Elections|access-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Robert Pittenger
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 194,537
| percentage = 51.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jennifer Roberts
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 171,503
| percentage = 45.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Curtis Campbell
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| votes = 9,650
| percentage =  2.6
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 375,690
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Republican primary results<!--ref name="primaryresults"/-->{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} }}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Robert Pittenger (incumbent)
 |votes = 29,505
 |percentage = 67.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Michael Steinberg
 |votes = 14,146
 |percentage = 32.4
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 43,651
  |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2014<!--ref name=Generalelection/-->{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} }}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Robert Pittenger (incumbent)
  |votes      = 163,080
  |percentage = 93.9
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |candidate  = Write-ins
  |party      = n/a
  |votes      = 8,219
  |percentage = 4.7
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |candidate  = Shawn Eckles (write-in)
  |party      = Independent (United States)
  |votes      = 2,369
  |percentage = 1.4
  }}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes = 173,668
  |percentage = 100.0
  }}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Republican primary results<!--ref name="primaryresults" /-->{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} }}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Robert Pittenger (incumbent)
 |votes = 9,299
 |percentage = 35.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Mark Harris
 |votes = 9,165
 |percentage = 34.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = Todd Johnson
 |votes = 8,142
 |percentage = 30.6
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes = 26,606
  |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=North Carolina's 9th congressional district, 2016 <!--ref name=Generalelection/-->{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} }}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Robert Pittenger (incumbent)
  |votes      = 193,452
  |percentage = 58.2
  }}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Christian Cano
  |votes      = 139,041
  |percentage = 41.8
  }}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes = 332,493
  |percentage = 100.0
  }}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
  | winner = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican primary results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://er.ncsbe.gov/contest_details.html?election_dt=05/08/2018&county_id=0&contest_id=1547|title=US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 09 - REP (VOTE FOR 1) |work=NC State Board of Elections |access-date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Mark Harris (North Carolina politician)|Mark Harris]]
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 17,302
| percentage = 48.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Robert Pittenger (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 16,474
| percentage = 46.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Clarence Goins
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 1,867
| percentage = 5.2
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 35,643
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Personal life==
Pittenger lives in South Charlotte. He is married to Suzanne Pittenger. He has four children.<ref>{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://media.cq.com/members/44612?rel=memberLink|publisher=Roll Call|access-date=28 March 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{C-SPAN|9265861}}
* {{CongLinks|congbio=P000606|votesmart=41272|fec=H2NC09134|congress=robert-pittenger/2141}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[James Snyder Jr.|James Snyder]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina]]|years=[[2008 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election|2008]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dan Forest]]}}
|-
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Sue Myrick]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from North Carolina|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[North Carolina's 9th congressional district]]|years=2013–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dan Bishop]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mark Meadows]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Mark Walker (North Carolina politician)|Mark Walker]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{USCongRep-start |congresses=113th–115th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from North Carolina|North Carolina]]}}
{{USCongRep/NC/113}}
{{USCongRep/NC/114}}
{{USCongRep/NC/115}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pittenger, Robert}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2008 United States elections]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Politicians from Dallas]]
[[Category:Politicians from Charlotte, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Republican Party North Carolina state senators]]