Daniel Morey

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Daniel James Morey
United States Representative
In Office: 2001 - 2011 2013 - 2014 2016 - 2020
Preceded by	Zach Wamp
Succeeded by	Ileana Hayden
Senator from the Southeast
In Office: 2011 - 2013 Served alongside: Alyssa Richards 2021 - Present Serves alongside: Alexander Allum
Preceded by	Hiroko Fox (2011) Alyssa Richards (2021)
Succeeded by	Harmon C. Dooley (2014) Incumbent
Born	September 28, 1959 Chattanooga, TN
Political Party	Republican
Spouse	Dr. Rebecca Morey (1979-2016), deceased Elisabeth Morey (2018-Present)
Religion	Episcopalian

Daniel James Morey is an American politician, currently serving as United States Senator for the Southeast. He previously served as United States House Representative for Tennessee's 3rd District. Mr. Morey is the former House Minority Whip, House Minority Leader and former Senator for the Southeast Region. He's was a candidate for the Republican Party nomination in the 2020 presidential election, coming in fourth in Iowa and winning the South Carolina primary before dropping out and endorsing Akeem Mellis for the nomination.

Early Life and Military Career

Senator Morey in 1964

Daniel, the patriarch of the Morey family, was born in 1959 in Chattanooga, Tennessee as second son to a U.S. war veteran and a secondary school teacher.

Family Background

His father, General James W. Morey, served in both Korea and Vietnam, being awarded several medals including the Congressional Medal of Honor for his outstanding bravery during the Vietnam War.

Marion Morey, his mother, was born in Germany but emigrated with her parents to the United States in 1947. She was an activist for the women's rights movement and supported female candidates for office in Tennessee. She also served two terms as Mayor of Chattanooga.

His older brother, Francis S. Morey, joined the U.S. Air Force after High School and later worked as an attorney after graduating from law school.He is married and currently lives in Louisiana practicing law and aiming for a run to become State Senator in the Louisiana Senate. In 2020 it was speculated Frank would seek the Governorship of the Mississippi Valle, but he never announced to run.

Ava Morey, his younger sister, studied Law and Political Science at the University of Tennessee and Yale University. Returning home to Tennessee Ava began her career as a professor of Political Science and later of Law at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. She taught at Carson Newman College until 2000. From 1993 to 1996 she headed the School of Political Science and from 1996 to 2000 she was the head of Carson Newman's law school. After her divorce Ava moved to Oak Ridge,TN with her two children. Here she worked as Superintendent for Anderson County, TN until 2007 when she was elected Mayor of Oak Ridge a position she still holds today. During her time as Superintendent she came to believe that the federal role in education is too intrusive and too bureaucratic, and has become part of the problem. Ms. Morey became a strong supporter of education reforms handing authority back to the sates and local institutions as well as reforms which emphasize the importance of science and math. As Superintendent for Anderson County, TN one of her major goals was to create an educational environment promoting transparency to assess performance, promote accountability, and share innovations in education at all levels. Ava Morey held seminars at many Universities across the nation, pointing out the need for such reforms and the need to provide parents with more choice in education and to make schools less bureaucratic. Most recently she published a report on the state of America's educational system, condemning the failure to deliver a real education reform and drew a wide range agenda of actions necessary to ensure America's children receive the education they deserve. President Mellis recently appointed her to serve as United States Secretary of Education.

In the broader family, Daniel Morey's grandfather was Governor of Tennessee and several of his ancestors held political offices in Tennessee ever since 1860. The early Morey clan's success was made during the Civil War as strong supporters of secession. Following the Civil War the Moreys were a strong Southern Democratic family until post WW2 when the entire family became Republican. In the 50s and 60s the Morey family was the only Republican political dynasty in Tennessee to hold offices in Tennessee and Washington without interruption. Since the 70s the Morey family has continually gained more and more political strength outside of Tennessee. The Morey family is the only family in Tennessee to have strong political influence sine 1860.

Military Service and Law Career

Senator Morey in the Navy in 1977

After finishing high-school he served in the United States Navy from 1977 to 1980 being stationed in Europe holding the rank of Lieutenant, although he later retired. During his three years in the Navy he served as Navy Seal and was injured during several missions. It is rumored he worked on covert missions in Soviet territory. Following his retirement he served in the Navy Reserve. It is here that he met his wife Rebecca, who he married in 1979.

After returning home to Tennessee Daniel started his studies of Law at the Tennessee State University and graduated in 1986. While his wife had completed her degree in medicine and had her own clinical practice Daniel joined a law firm in Chattanooga, TN and quickly rose to become a partner. In 1994 he opened his own law firm, Morey & Kaiser together with his old friend Jonathan Kaiser. The law firm is today one of the biggest international law firms in America, having offices across the world. Daniel Morey's youngest son, Matthew Daniel Morey recently became Partner in the firm and leads their international head office in Washington, D.C..

Political Career

Overview

• United States Representative for Tennessee's Third Congressional District, 2001 - 2011
• United States Senator for the Southeast, 2011 - 2013
• United States Representative for Tennessee's Third Congressional District, 2013 - 2014, 2016 - 2020
• United States Senator for the Southeast, 2021 - Present

Pre-Cancer-Career

Dan Morey during his first years in Congress

In 2000 Daniel decided to give back something to his beloved home and successfully campaigned for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district seat. From Jan. 2001 until early 2011 he served as member of the United States House of Representatives before being assigned by the Governor to serve as Senator of the Southeast. In the 2000 election Mr. Morey beat his Democratic opponent Andrew Miller, receiving 66.45% of the votes. The only time Mr. Morey received less than 60% of the votes was in 2002 when he was again challenged by Andrew Miller and was only able to gather 59.64%.

Senator Morey and President Ella Warren

He served as United States Senator from 2011 until 2013 winning his election in 2012 by a clear margin. The 2012 campaign was a campaign of experience and a consistent conservative record. The Democratic party chose with Cassandra Calhoun the best they had to offer and while Ms. Calhoun was considered to be a rather conservative Democrat Mr. Morey could convince 55.9% of the voters that he is is the candidate with the right experience and the truly conservative record.

Cancer

In 2013 his wife was diagnosed with cancer and Daniel resigned from the Senate to help his wife overcome the struggle with cancer. After her victory over the disease Daniel and Rebecca returned to Tennessee and Daniel once again picked up Tennessee's 3rd district seat to serve the people of Tennessee and was elected House Minority Leader after Senator Buford T. Justice's appointment to the United States Senate, just a few months after he had been elected House Minority Whip.

In late 2014 Daniel himself got diagnosed with cancer and had to resign his seat once more. The diagnosis came just weeks after he had he had been replaced by Daniel Pennypacker as Minority Leader.

Post-Cancer-Career

In December of 2015 Daniel had won the battle against cancer and in January of 2016 announced his intentions to serve as Representative for Tennessee's third district once more. In a special election he returned to the House and was re-elected in 2016 with 77.90% of the votes. Since then he is a member of the United States House of Representatives again. In the 2017 - 2018 session Daniel served as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committee. Since the Republican Revolution of 2018 he serves as Chairman of this committee. He also currently sits on the Science, Health, Education and Environment Committee as well as the Conference Committee. Since 2016 Daniel also serves as GOP Member Services Director.

2020 Presidential Campaign

In early 2018, just after his marriage to Elisabeth, Daniel Morey announced the formation of a Presidential exploratory committee. Two weeks later he declared his candidacy for the Presidency before thousands of supporters in his hometown of Chattanooga. While Daniel Morey had built an impressive record during the course of his twenty year Congressional career, and while he was he able to raise significant funds he was seen as the underdog candidate. Prior to the first Caucus in Iowa he received endorsements from politicians in both parties. Most significantly he was endorsed by six Democratic leaders. The Democratic leaders who endorsed Daniel Morey included Gulf Coast Senator Evelyn Breaux, now serving as Deputy Minority Leader of the Democratic Senate Caucus, Florida politician Elizabeth Anne Daniels who initially filed to challenge President Mason herself, Big Sky Country Minority Leader Lucien Kaine who in the same year lost a special Lt. Governor election to Daniel Morey's niece Carry Ann Yearling, Dixie Minority Leader Aiden Derrick LaSalle of Tennessee, Congressman Logan Andrews of New York and former Atlanta Mayor and Senatorial Candidate Ryan Howson who nearly upset Alexander Allum in the Southeast Senatorial election of 2018. On the Republican side Daniel Morey received endorsements from the President Pro Temore of the Senate Buford T. Justice, Michigan Congressman Edgard A. Portela II and Congressman Edward Moore of Kansas.

Dan Morey meeting voters in Iowa

On the eve of the Iowa Caucus polls suggested that Mr. Morey would come almost last with approximately three percent of the vote. This was the first big surprise of the Morey 2020 campaign as Daniel Morey surprised the nation coming in fourth, nearly upsetting now Vice-President Tim Kent. Mr. Morey received 18.7% of the votes and a total of 7 delegates from Iowa. The Morey campaign largely ignored the New Hampshire Primary and focused on three weeks of heavy campaigning in South Carolina. Morey came in last in New Hampshire winning the votes of 9% of the Republican electorate. National Press saw the Morey campaign at an end and projected a third place finish in South Carolina at best. The widely ignored the fact that Daniel Morey had been Senator for the Southeast region and enjoyed great popularity in the South. Another issue which has highly underestimated was the large amount of cash the Morey campaign was willing to spend in South Carolina. The South Carolina victory turned out to be a big upset for the two frontrunner's campaigns as won the contest with 36%, gathering 18 delegates. On the night of the primary Daniel Morey gave passionate speech to thousands of supporters vowing to fight on until they would eventually reach the White House in November. Experts now saw a long lasting Republican contest with three candidates in a gridlock. Daniel Morey was widely expected to focus on Dixie and the rest of the South which would have prolonged the search for a candidate until the convention. As it became clear the Republican party would not find a nominee until the convention Daniel Morey surprised the nation by declaring the termination of his campaign in his hometown of Chattaooga. He gave a passionate speech, endorsing Akeem Mellis for President. The same night Speaker Dale Thomas also withdrew from the contest and Akeem Mellis became the nominee of the Republican Party.

Return to the Senate

Dan Morey back in the Senate

Following the tragic death of Senator Alyssa Richards, Governor Vincent Halfhyde appointed Daniel Morey to serve as Southeast Senator once more. He currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, Intelligence and Defense Committee and sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee where he is a constant voice of traditional moral values and Southern conservative values. Recently he acted as Acting President Pro Tempore of the Senate in the absence of President Pro Tempore Buford T. Justice.

Following the 2022 election victory over Eric Smith (D-GA) Dan Morey was named Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, Intelligence and Defense committee as well as member of the Senate Judiciary committee. President Pro Tempore Buford Justice also named Dan Morey Deputy President Pro Tempore. In 2023 the Senator presided over the Senate during the absence of both Vice-President Tim Kent and President Pro Tempore Buford Justice. After the removal of Senator Elisabeth Battenberg (R-IL) from office and the resulting loss of the majority Dan Morey returned to serving as Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Intelligence and Defense committee.

Personal Life

Daniel Morey got married to Rebecca Morey in 1979, both being very young.

Both Mrs. and Mr. Morey were diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and 2014. While she seemed to have won the battle, Mrs. Morey died on October 19th, 2016. He however achieved to overcome the disease.

Dan Morey in 1987

Daniel and Rebecca Morey have three children. Madeleine Mary (born Nov. 21, 1984) is the oldest. After High School Madeleine enrolled at Yale University in 2002 to begin her medical studies. Since 2008 she practiced medicine as partner in her mothers private practice in Chattanooga and took over the practice after her mothers retirement in 2013. Madeleine married the German lawyer Andreas Schott in 2011 and has one daughter with him. Her husband Andreas currently work as Junior Partner in Daniel Morey's law firm "Morey & Kaiser" in Chattanooga, TN. Madeleine's family currently lives in the outskirts of Chattanooga. Madeleine is, other than her parents, rather shy and introverted and does not enjoy public appearances with her father.Currently she serves as member of the board of the "Rebecca Morey Fund". Madeleine currently works for her father has health care adviser and still runs her private practice in Chattanooga.

Isabel Hazel (born Apr. 14, 1987) studied at Vanderbilt University from 2005 until 2009 and holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Political Science. In 2011 she graduated Yale University with a Master's degree in Political Science. Isabel is the most extroverted of the three Morey children and greatly enjoys public appearances with her father. From 2011 until 2013 she worked for the New York Times and since 2013 is the owner and publisher of the Chattanooga Free Times Press. She also writes articles for several national and international papers and magazines. Isabel Morey currently lives in New York City where she is lecturing in Journalism and Political Science at Columbia University. Since 2017 she belongs to the White House Press Corps. She currently lives in New York with her partner, John Howson.

The youngest of the three children is Mr. Morey's only son Matthew Daniel (born Jun. 2, 1989) studied Law at Yale University graduating in 2013. Matthew is the newest Senior Partner in his father's law firm "Morey & Kaiser" and lived in Boston where he lead the New England office of "Morey & Kaiser". In 2015 he was moved back to Tennessee and was elected Mayor of Murfreesboro, the youngest in the cities history. In 2019 he decided not to run again and became General Manager of "Morey International Golf and Hunt Resorts" which is owned by his father. He recently got engaged with Democratic Florida Congresswoman Carolina Saint John.

Elisabeth Morey

Daniel Morey's niece Carry Ann Yearling serves as Lt. Governor of the Big Sky Country.

One of Mr. Morey's closest friends has always been Elisabeth Arden, who he met in 1984. Although their friendship was very strong, they lost contact when she moved to Germany in 1995. She moved back to the United States in 2008, but they didn't meet again until 2016. It was then when they discovered very strong romantic feelings for each other, and decided to marry in 2018.

Research on Cancer

Daniel also chairs a national fund to fund research on cancer and to help citizens struggling with the disease. The Fund has recently been renamed to be called "The Rebecca Morey Fund", named after Mr. Morey's first wife who died of cancer, and has an annual budget of some $4 million, $2 million out of this budget are direct donations made by Daniel Morey. Daniel enjoys hunting, golf, cigars, traveling, horses, writing, religion, history and baseball.

Memberships

• St.Paul's Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, TN
• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Tennessee State University Alumni Board
• National Rifle Association
• National Taxpayers Union
• The Competitive Enterprise Institute
• The Dead Poets' Society
• American Legion
• American Conservative Union
• The American Conservative Party
• Sons of Confederate Veterans
• Ole Dixie Caucus
• Israel Allies Caucus
• Educational Excellence Caucus
• 2nd Amendment Caucus
• The American Way Forward Caucus
• Conservative Christian Caucus
• United States Conservative Party
• Gun Owners of America
• Global War on Terrorism Memorial Fund

Education

• B.A. Law & International Relations, Tennessee State University
• M.A. Law, Tennessee State University

Election Results