Is Liz Cheney Related to Dick Cheney?

Liz Cheney was born on July 26, 1966, and is an international law attorney and consultant. Dick Cheney is a famous name in the history of American politics and was destined for a trajectory. Eventually, he became the 46th Vice President of the United States. Many people ask “Is Liz Cheney related to Dick Cheney?”

Certainly yes! They both have a relationship of daughter and father. Liz Cheney is the daughter of vice president Dick Cheney. He began his journey as a public servant in Lincoln, Nebraska. An indelible legacy was not only left on the nation but also the family.

Who is Liz Cheney?

Elizabeth “Liz” Cheney is the first child of Dick and Lynne Cheney and presently serves as the U.S. representative for Wyoming’s at-large congressional district.

Liz is an international law attorney and consultant. After attending law school at the University of Chicago, Cheney practiced law in the private sector, bringing a wealth of legal expertise to her roles. She is married to Philip Perry, the former general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security. They wed in 1993.

Liz Cheney Wyoming’s lone member*(credit: cbsnews)*

She has five children. She worked for the State Department’s Near East Affairs Bureau during her professional career. Liz actively participated in the Republican Party during her father’s vice presidential term.

Liz also founded the national security organization Keep America Safe. She was first elected to public office in 2016 and then re-elected in 2018. She was appointed Republican Conference Chair in 2019, making her the third most senior member of the GOP House leadership.

Who is Vice President Dick Cheney?

Richard Bruce “Dick” Cheney, the future 46th Vice President of the United States, was born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dick is known for being the father of Liz Cheney.

He came from a family rooted in Democratic values. He emerged as a prominent Republican figure despite his Democratic upbringing.

Dick Cheney Gay Daughter Mary Feud Liz Vice

Dick Cheney has expressed his opinion on a dispute between his daughters, Liz Cheney and openly gay Mary Cheney. His point was that Liz’s benevolence toward her sister should not be misinterpreted as a stance against “traditional marriage.”

Cheney and his wife, Lynne, released a statement after the public exchange between the two sisters. The statement expressed support for their daughter Liz, who is running for the Senate in Wyoming.

Mary and her betterhalf Heather (via: ABCnews)

The Cheneys asserted, “Liz has consistently upheld the conventional definition of marriage. Additionally, she has always treated her sister’s family with affection and respect.”

“Even when there is dissent on such a fundamental matter, compassion is warranted, and Liz’s numerous acts of kindness should not be twisted to distort her position,” they added.

Notably, the statement did not reference Mary Cheney, 44, or her spouse, Heather Poe. 

Who is Mary Cheney?

Mary Cheney, the second daughter of Dick and Lynne Cheney, was born on March 14, 1969. Mary has been openly gay since the publication of her autobiography, “Now It’s My Turn,” in 2006. She is actively involved in politically active nonprofits, including BKM Strategies.

Mary has been married to Heather Poe since 2012 after being in a relationship since 1992. They share a family with two children.

Mary’s professional background includes working on the promotional team for the Colorado Rockies baseball team in 1993. She also served as a Public Relations manager for Coors Brewing Company, focusing on gay outreach coordination until 2000.

Mary Cheney was a close aide and confidante to her father during his presidential campaign. She assumed the position of Director of Vice Presidential Operations for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign in 2003. Mary served as AOL’s Vice President for Consumer Advocacy from 2005 to 2007.

Gay Marriage Controversy

When Mary’s father learned of her sexual orientation, he responded: “You’re my daughter, and I love you. I just want you to be happy.”

Since Mary’s disclosure, the family has presented a united front. Liz expressed her opposition to gay marriage on Fox News during the 2013 Wyoming Senate race. Her stance contradicted a TV advertisement accusing her of supporting gay marriage.

Mary responded to her sister’s views on Facebook with the statement, “Either you believe in equal treatment for all families, or you don’t. Liz’s stance labels my family as second-class citizens.”

She opted out of spending Christmas with the Cheneys because she did not endorse Liz’s candidacy. 

Heather Poe addressed the matter on Facebook, stating, “Liz has been a guest in our home, shared holidays with our children, and when Mary and I married in 2012, she expressed genuine happiness for us. It’s deeply offensive for her to now reject our right to marry.”

Later on, Liz withdrew from the senate race, citing “family health reasons.”

Did Mary Cheney’s Family React Negatively to Her Coming Out?

Mary Cheney’s family’s reaction to her coming out is a natural curiosity. During their formative years, the Cheney daughters, a spirited and amiable pair, actively participated in campaign activities by distributing pamphlets and promotional items.

Her memoir from 2006, “Now It’s My Turn,” describes their close bond as strong as sisters can be. During high school, Mary revealed her sexual orientation to her family.

She received support and affirmation from her parents. Although Mary’s mother was supportive, she expressed concern about the potential challenges her daughter might face due to societal homophobia.

Details regarding her elder sister’s reaction remain scarce. However, Mary’s parents later disclosed that Liz held reservations about same-sex unions, adhering to a traditional view of marriage. 

Liz Cheney displayed a nuanced approach even before entering politics. Later on, she distanced herself from supporting gay marriage.

He openly supported Mary despite being a prominent Republican during an anti-gay marriage time. She was involved in a long-term relationship with her future wife, Heather Poe.

Dick Cheney made it clear that his personal views supported Mary, separating them from a broader political position. The issue of same-sex marriage was framed as a state’s right rather than a political one.

Did Liz Cheney Attend the Wedding of Her Younger Sister?

People often ask Liz Cheney whether she attended her younger sister’s wedding. Vice President Cheney affirmed his personal stance on same-sex marriage shortly after leaving office in a 2009 address to the National Press Club.

According to The Atlantic, he stated, “I don’t support the notion of a federal statute governing this.” He emphasized his belief that historically, the regulation of marriage has been a matter handled at the state level. According to him, it has always been a state issue, and he asserted that this approach should persist.

Liz Cheney with father Dick Cheney (via: news)

Mary’s parents released a statement congratulating her on her marriage and expressing their joy. They expressed their well wishes for the happiness of Mary, Heather, and their children. The elder sister of Mary, Liz, was notably absent from the celebration.

Are Dick Cheney and George W. Bush Agreeing on Marriage Equality?

During the 2004 re-election campaign, President George W. Bush declared his endorsement of the Federal Marriage Amendment. 

The amendment sought to enshrine a ban on same-sex marriage in the U.S. Constitution. However, Dick Cheney publicly opposed the amendment. Both Lynne and Liz also aligned themselves with his stance.

During a campaign rally in Iowa, Cheney highlighted the issue’s personal significance for his family. He stated, “Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it’s an issue our family is very familiar with.” He stressed that people should be free to form any kind of relationship they choose.

Mary, who had previously worked in roles supporting her father, also served as the director of vice presidential operations. 

A statement was “understood” by President Bush, she told people in 2006. She declined to give her personal viewpoint, considering it inappropriate given her position.

When Did the Family Feud Over President Donald Trump Become Public?

The public revelation of the family feud’s commencement is a point of interest. Surprisingly, Liz’s absence from the ceremony did not initially capture headlines. The spotlight turned to the fracture in the sisters’ relationship about a year later when Liz entered the race for U.S. Senate in Wyoming.

Liz faced angry messages while running for the Republican nomination in a predominantly conservative region. Also, she was accused of actively supporting gay marriage in television attack ads.

In response, Liz contradicted the family’s long-standing united front on Mary’s sexuality, asserting, “I am strongly pro-life, and I am not pro-gay marriage.”

Liz reiterated her stance on same-sex marriage, explicitly mentioning her sister Mary. She clarified her disagreement with Mary on the issue, expressing love for her sister and her family. Mary and Poe felt compelled to respond while observing from their Northern Virginia home.

On Facebook, Mary conveyed, “Liz, this isn’t merely a matter of disagreement; you’re simply mistaken and on the wrong side of history,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. 

She highlighted that Liz’s political stance treated her family as second-class citizens. She emphasized the gravity of the situation compared to less weighty disagreements.

Poe lamented Liz’s disavowal on social media. She suggested a prioritization of politics over family. She questioned how Liz would feel. Specifically, if she discovered that her family’s rights were protected in one state but not another.

At that time, the sisters reportedly had not communicated for several months. Liz’s former vice president released a statement supporting her Senate campaign. The sisters’ discord was a private family matter that had regrettably become public.

The Cheneys affirmed Liz’s commitment to the traditional definition of marriage, highlighting her love and respect for her sister’s family.