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Who is Beth Van Duyne? The Texas GOP Rep, 53, 'seen holding hands under the table' with Georgia Republican Rich McCormick - as he files for divorce from oncologist wife
Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick filed for divorce from his wife this month, requesting a mutual restraining order and leading to a flurry of speculation from peers.
His wife of 12 years, oncologist Debra Miller, only told DailyMail.com that she was 'sure that he will not be forthcoming' when approached about the cause of the relationship's breakdown.
But Capitol Hill insiders have said they saw McCormick, 55, 'holding hands under the table' with female Republican member of the House Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas.
A source added that they had seen him 'grab the small of her back' on the House floor during votes.
With the two rumored to have been an item since at least January, Rich McCormick's followers may now be asking: who is Beth Van Duyne?
After 12 years of marriage and less than two years into his congressional career, Georgia Republican Rep. Richard McCormick has filed for divorce from his wife Dr. Debra Miller
Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, speaks during the House Republicans' news conference on Feb 29
Born in upstate New York, Van Duyne moved to Texas as a teenager and carved out an impressive record in local politics before securing the role of representative for the 24th Congressional District of Texas.
During her climb she received an endorsement from Donald Trump in 2020 and went on to receive around 65 per cent of the vote in the March primary.
'Beth Van Duyne did great things as Mayor of Irving, Texas, with my Administration,' the former President wrote on Twitter/X.
'She is a strong conservative who supports border security, loves our military, vets, and supports your #2A.
'Beth has my full endorsement for Congress!' he exclaimed at the time.
Beth said on her campaign page that it was her two children from a previous marriage that prompted her to run for public office, warning of the 'fragility' of the era for the nation, families and 'the future of the American dream'.
She described herself as a single mom, a conservative Republican and reformer who 'has defeated government corruption' and 'helped deliver growth and new job opportunities' during her six-year stint as Irving's mayor, 2011-2017.
At the time, she made history as the first woman to serve in the role, and she claims to have delivered the city 'unprecedented economic growth... with an added 40,000 jobs and an estimated $3 billion in growth and new developments'.
In 2021, Beth's name appeared in national headlines when her campaign communications director tragically shot himself dead outside her house.
Richard Christian 'Chris' Dillard - a former campaign staffer, political consultant and a Republican activist - killed himself outside her Irving home on February 10, 2021.
Dallas County GOP spokesman William Busby told the Dallas Morning News that Dillard wanted a job Van Duyne's Congressional office following her election but wasn't offered one.
Authorities said Dillard died from a single gunshot wound.
'I've known him for years and he had been in my home numerous times for holiday parties, fantasy football drafts and get togethers with friends,' Van Duyne's statement at the time said.
'I last heard from him over text in early January to share pictures of his family,' she said, telling how she was 'devastated' for Dillard's mother and children.
Texas congresswoman Beth Van Duyne of TX 24
Lawmakers including Rep. Ronny Jackson, Rep. Beth Van Duyne, and Rep. Ashley Hinson react as U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address, Feb 7 2023
Campaign comms manager Chris Dillard pictured with Beth Van Duyne, undated
Since then, Van Duyne has steadily gone on to carve out a name for herself in Congress, and was ultimately named as part of the 2024 Trump campaign's leadership team in March.
Van Duyne calls for a return to Trumpian economics, and claims to be 'focused on... [helping] individuals keep more of what they earn', finding an affordable and reliable energy supply and facilitating an expansion of manufacturing in the United States.
On Facebook this week, she pledged to deport 'aliens' who are charged with a crime related to what she called the 'anti-American, pro-terrorist demonstrations taking place across our nation'.
Among policies that will likely speak to her base, Van Duyne voted against the 2022 aid deal for Ukraine, introducing $40bn in emergency aid to the Ukrainian government amid the Russian invasion.
However, she also called for President Biden to be impeached for the 'egregious offence' of 'holding up the Congressionally authorized aid' to Israel, warning restricting 'much needed aid... endangers our ally'.
Outside of politics, Van Duyne describes herself as a pro-lifer, a proud mother and a Christian.
In 2012, a year into her Irving Mayor tenure, she separated from her long-term partner Chris 'Casey' Wallach, who she met while studying at Cornell University.
Van Duyne has described leaving home at 17 to put herself through college, where she graduated magna cum laude with a BA in city and regional planning, government and law.
The pair would be married for 17 years before announcing their separation.
Rumors about Van Duyne's relationship with Rich McCormick were first revealed by the DailyMail.com - but sources say there has been speculation internally since January 2024, according to the New York Post.
One source told DailyMail.com they had seen Van Duyne holding on to the arm of McCormick while walking out of the Longworth Office building late at night.
And during the State of the Union on March 7, the two could be seen sitting and laughing together while watching Biden's speech.
Rich McCormick (centre) with his wife Dr Debra Miller (to his left) and seven children
Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) speaking at a press conference on June 14, 2023
McCormick even reached over to gently squeeze Van Duyne's arm in a tender moment between the pair captured on camera.
A spokesperson for McCormick did not confirm or deny the relationship, The New York Post reported, but said the 'rumor mill' was 'old news'.
They added that McCormick and his wife had been separated for quite some time.
'He has kept that private and will continue to keep his personal life out of the media spotlight.'
Asked if the divorce involved an alleged affair he may have had with a colleague, his soon-to-be ex-wife Miller replied: 'You should ask Rich and his colleague.'