Legality of Cannabis by U.S. Jurisdiction

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| majority4 =
| majority4 =
| predecessor4 = New Seat
| predecessor4 = New Seat
| successor4 = Pat Warby
| successor4 = Patricia Warby

| office5 = Deputy Mayor of Bury St Edmunds
| term_start5 = 2019
| term_end5 = 2020
| term_start6 = 2005
| term_end6 = 2006


| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|03|27|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1963|03|27|df=yes}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place =
| nationality =
| nationality =
| party = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2008–2019)
| party = [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] (2008–present)
| otherparty = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (Before 2008)
| otherparty = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (Before 2008)
| spouse = Rebecca (Beccy)
| spouse = Rebecca (Beccy)
Line 58: Line 64:
| nickname = Hoffy
| nickname = Hoffy
}}
}}
'''Paul Hopfensperger''' (born 1963) is a former British [[Open water swimming|Open Water Swimmer]], [[musician|Musician]], bestselling [[author|Author]], charity fundraiser and former Independent [[politician|Politician]].
'''Paul Hopfensperger''' (born 1963) is an International #1 [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] bestselling [[author|author]] and [[musician|music artist]], former [[Great Britain|British]] [[Open water swimming|Open Water Swimmer]], and former Independent [[politician|Politician]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
During his youth he was a competitive swimmer representing his home town of [[Bury St Edmunds]] and the County of [[Suffolk]], including captaining the Bury St Edmunds Swimming Club ('The Bury Beavers') on three occasions between 1978 and 1981. He is a Mechanical and Computer Software Engineer, running his own IT business in the town.
During his youth he was a competitive swimmer representing his home town of [[Bury St Edmunds]] and the County of [[Suffolk]], including captaining the Bury St Edmunds Swimming Club ('The Bury Beavers') on three occasions between 1978 and 1981.


==Swimming career==
==Swimming career==
Line 68: Line 74:
His first swim in 2007 was relayed live from the English Channel by on board reporter Jon Wright for [[BBC Radio Suffolk]]. Updates were broadcast throughout the day for the duration of the 13 hour 52 minute swim.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jon Wright |title=Absolutely fantastic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2007/07/02/hopfensperger_channel_swim_preview_feature.shtml |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=2 July 2007}}</ref> It also featured in the first episode of the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects|Emmy]] [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards|nominated]] [[Discovery Channel]] documentary [[Human Body: Pushing the Limits]].
His first swim in 2007 was relayed live from the English Channel by on board reporter Jon Wright for [[BBC Radio Suffolk]]. Updates were broadcast throughout the day for the duration of the 13 hour 52 minute swim.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Jon Wright |title=Absolutely fantastic |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2007/07/02/hopfensperger_channel_swim_preview_feature.shtml |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=2 July 2007}}</ref> It also featured in the first episode of the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects|Emmy]] [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards|nominated]] [[Discovery Channel]] documentary [[Human Body: Pushing the Limits]].


In 2008 he competed at two FINA Open Water Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger - Athlete |url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/athletes/1033506/paul-hopfensperger |website=worldaquatics.com |publisher=World Aquatics |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>, becoming oldest known person to represented [[Great Britain]] at [[Open water swimming | Open Water Swimming]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger Swimming Achievements 2008 |url=https://bodyandmindstudio.co.uk/content/hoffyswims/pjh-swimming-achievements-2008.pdf |website=bodyandmindstudio.co.uk |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger - Openwaterpedia |url=https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Paul_Hopfensperger |website=www.openwaterpedia.com |publisher=Steven Munatones |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref>
In 2008 he competed at two [[World Aquatics|FINA]] Open Water Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger - Athlete |url=https://www.worldaquatics.com/athletes/1033506/paul-hopfensperger |website=worldaquatics.com |publisher=World Aquatics |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref>, becoming oldest known person to represented [[Great Britain]] at [[Open water swimming | Open Water Swimming]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger Swimming Achievements 2008 |url=https://bodyandmindstudio.co.uk/content/hoffyswims/pjh-swimming-achievements-2008.pdf |website=bodyandmindstudio.co.uk |access-date=26 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Hopfensperger - Openwaterpedia |url=https://www.openwaterpedia.com/wiki/Paul_Hopfensperger |website=www.openwaterpedia.com |publisher=Steven Munatones |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
He unsuccessfully stood for election to [[St Edmundsbury Borough Council]] in [[1999 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|1999]] and [[2003 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2003]] (losing by just 5 votes) before before being co-opted onto the newly formed Bury St Edmunds Town Council at it's second ever meeting in June 2003, and serving as Deputy Mayor from 2005-2006.
⚫
He unsuccessfully stood for election to [[St Edmundsbury Borough Council]] in 1999 and [[2003 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2003]] (losing by just 5 votes) before before being co-opted onto the newly formed Bury St Edmunds Town Council at it's second ever meeting in June 2003, before being elected to [[Suffolk County Council]] in [[2005 Suffolk County Council election|2005]] as a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]. However in February 2008 he quit the party over it's policy to abolish the county's middle schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Tory quits in middle schools protest |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21293619.top-tory-quits-middle-schools-protest/ |website=eadt.co.uk |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=13 May 2024 |date=14 February 2008}}</ref> A month later he received a police caution under the [[Representation of the People Act 2000|Representation of the People Act]] during a by election for [[Bury St Edmunds Town Council]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Laurence Cawley |title=Leading councillor given police caution |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21290364.leading-councillor-given-police-caution/ |website=eadt.co.uk |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=28 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Candidate receives police caution |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7371857.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=28 April 2008}}</ref>


⚫
He was elected to the newly created [[Tower Division, Suffolk|Tower Division]] on [[Suffolk County Council]] in [[2005 Suffolk County Council election|2005]] as a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]], serving as the Vice Chairman of the Roads and Transport Scrutiny Committee and Assistant to the Portfolio Holder for the [[2012 Summer Olympics| London 2012 Olympic Games]]. However in February 2008 he quit the party over it's policy to abolish the county's middle schools.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Tory quits in middle schools protest |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21293619.top-tory-quits-middle-schools-protest/ |website=eadt.co.uk |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=13 May 2024 |date=14 February 2008}}</ref> A month later he received a police caution under the [[Representation of the People Act 2000|Representation of the People Act]] during a by election for Bury St Edmunds Town Council for stating "It looks like [[Paul S. Farmer|Paul Farmer]] has done well" on his website after returning from the opening of the postal votes.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Laurence Cawley |title=Leading councillor given police caution |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21290364.leading-councillor-given-police-caution/ |website=eadt.co.uk |publisher=East Anglian Daily Times |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=28 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Candidate receives police caution |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/7371857.stm |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=28 April 2008}}</ref>
⚫
He unsuccessfully ran for re-election in [[2009 Suffolk County Council election|2009]] in [[Hardwick Division, Suffolk|Hardwick]], before winning a seat on [[St Edmundsbury Borough Council]] in [[2011 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2011]] which he held until [[2023 West Suffolk District Council election|2023]], by which time St Edmundsbury had merged with [[Forest Heath District Council|Forest Heath]] to become [[West Suffolk District Council]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rhoda Morrison |title=Deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds Cllr Paul Hopfensperger accuses town council of breaking the rules |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/council-accused-of-breaking-rules-by-deputy-mayor-9084399/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=6 October 2019}}</ref>


⚫
He unsuccessfully ran for re-election to [[Suffolk County Council]] in [[2009 Suffolk County Council election|2009]] in [[Hardwick Division, Suffolk|Hardwick Division]], before winning a seat on [[St Edmundsbury Borough Council]] in [[2011 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2011]] which he held until [[2023 West Suffolk District Council election|2023]], by which time St Edmundsbury had merged with [[Forest Heath District Council|Forest Heath]] to become [[West Suffolk District Council]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rhoda Morrison |title=Deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds Cllr Paul Hopfensperger accuses town council of breaking the rules |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/council-accused-of-breaking-rules-by-deputy-mayor-9084399/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=6 October 2019}}</ref>
⚫
In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] he nominated to run for [[Bury St Edmunds (UK Parliament constituency)|Bury St Edmunds constituency]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statement of Persons Nominated|url=https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/upload/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations-Bury-St-Edmunds-constituency.pdf|website=West Suffolk Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519223558/http://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/upload/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations-Bury-St-Edmunds-constituency.pdf|archive-date=19 May 2017}}</ref> but he withdrew before the election. He did run in [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]] finishing 4th (of 4 candidate) with 2.7% of the vote.

⚫
In the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] he nominated to run for [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] in the [[Bury St Edmunds (UK Parliament constituency)|Bury St Edmunds constituency]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statement of Persons Nominated|url=https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/upload/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations-Bury-St-Edmunds-constituency.pdf|website=West Suffolk Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519223558/http://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/Voting_and_Elections/upload/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-Notice-of-Poll-and-Situation-of-Polling-Stations-Bury-St-Edmunds-constituency.pdf|archive-date=19 May 2017}}</ref> but he withdrew before the election for personal reasons. He did run in [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]]<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rhoda Morrison |title=Deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds and Independent councillor Paul Hopfensperger announces plans to run for MP in next general election |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/success-for-councillor-whose-book-and-song-bagged-1-spots-i-9218611/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=30 May 2024 |date=19 October 2019}}</ref> finishing 4th (of 4 candidate) with 2.7% of the vote.


In 2021 he heavily criticized the post [[Brexit]] trading arrangements as a "complete and utter disaster". He would go on to say "If anyone tells me 'we knew what we were voting for' I say to them you certainly didn't know what you were voting for."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dan Barker |title=Brexit trade deal branded 'complete and utter disaster' by Bury St Edmunds councillor |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/brexit-branded-a-complete-and-utter-disaster-by-councillor-9191833/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=22 March 2021}}</ref>
In 2021 he heavily criticized the post [[Brexit]] trading arrangements as a "complete and utter disaster". He would go on to say "If anyone tells me 'we knew what we were voting for' I say to them you certainly didn't know what you were voting for."<ref>{{cite web |author1=Dan Barker |title=Brexit trade deal branded 'complete and utter disaster' by Bury St Edmunds councillor |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/brexit-branded-a-complete-and-utter-disaster-by-councillor-9191833/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=26 May 2024 |date=22 March 2021}}</ref>

===Elections contested===
===Elections contested===
'''UK Parliament elections'''
'''UK Parliament elections'''
Line 91: Line 100:
! Date of election !! Division !!colspan="2"|Party !! Votes !! % !! Result
! Date of election !! Division !!colspan="2"|Party !! Votes !! % !! Result
|-
|-
| [[2005 Suffolk County Council election|2005]] || [[Tower Division, Suffolk|Tower Division]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[2005 Suffolk County Council election|2005]] || [[Tower Division, Suffolk|Tower]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 2,747 || 28.3 || Elected
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 2,747 || 28.3 || Elected
|-
|-
| [[2009 Suffolk County Council election|2009]] || Hardwick Division || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2009 Suffolk County Council election|2009]] || [[Hardwick Division, Suffolk|Hardwick]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 824 || 28.8 || Not elected (2nd)
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 824 || 28.8 || Not elected (2nd)
|-
|-
| [[2013 Suffolk County Council election|2013]] || Hardwick Division || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2013 Suffolk County Council election|2013]] || [[Hardwick Division, Suffolk|Hardwick]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 737 || 27.7 || Not elected (2nd)
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 737 || 27.7 || Not elected (2nd)
|-
|-
| [[2017 Suffolk County Council election|2017]] || [[Tower Division, Suffolk|Tower Division]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2017 Suffolk County Council election|2017]] || [[Tower Division, Suffolk|Tower]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 1,623 || 20.3 || Not elected (3rd)
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 1,623 || 20.3 || Not elected (3rd)
|}
|}
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! Date of election !! Ward !!colspan="2"|Party !! Votes !! % !! Result
! Date of election !! Ward !!colspan="2"|Party !! Votes !! % !! Result
|-
|-
| [[1999 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|1999]] || Risbygate Ward|| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1999 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|1999]] || Risbygate || style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 442 || 39.7 || Not elected (3rd)
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 442 || 39.7 || Not elected (3rd)
|-
|-
| [[2003 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2003]] || Southgate Ward|| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[2003 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2003]] || Southgate || style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 744 || 48.1 || Not elected (2nd)
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] || 744 || 48.1 || Not elected (2nd)
|-
|-
| [[2011 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2011]] || [[St Olaves|St Olaves Ward]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2011 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2011]] || St Olaves || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 421 || 33.6 || Elected
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 421 || 33.6 || Elected
|-
|-
| [[2015 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2015]] || [[St Olaves|St Olaves Ward]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2015 St Edmundsbury Borough Council election|2015]] || St Olaves || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 835 || 37.8 || Elected
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 835 || 37.8 || Elected
|-
|-
| [[2019 West Suffolk District Council election|2019]] || [[St Olaves|St Olaves Ward]] || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[2019 West Suffolk District Council election|2019]] || St Olaves || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 680 || 50.9 || Elected
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 680 || 50.9 || Elected
|}

'''Bury St. Edmunds Town Council elections'''
{| class="wikitable"
! Date of election !! Ward !!colspan="2"|Party !! Votes !! % !! Result
|-
| 2003 || Eastgate || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || || || Co-opted (voted in by members of the council)
|-
| 2016 || St Olaves || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 288 || 46.7 || Elected<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ian Gallin |title=Election of a Town Councillor for St. Olaves Ward on May 05, 2016 |url=https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/elections/vacancies-elections-results/results/upload/DeclarationofresultsStOlavesMay2016-5.pdf |website=westsuffolk.gov.uk |publisher=West Suffolk Council |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2019 || St Olaves || style="background-color: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
| [[Independent (politician)|Independent]] || 712 || 53.3 || Elected<ref>{{cite web |author1=Ian Gallin |title=Election of a Town Councillor for St. Olaves Ward on May 02, 2019 |url=https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/elections/vacancies-elections-results/results/parish-town-elections/upload/BSEStOlavesDeclarationOfResults201905030242144223.PDF |website=westsuffolk.gov.uk |publisher=West Suffolk Council |access-date=28 May 2024}}</ref>
|}
|}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Paul Hopfensperger BBC Eggheads photo 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Hopfensperger (far left) on Eggheads]]
[[File:Paul Hopfensperger BBC Eggheads photo 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Hopfensperger (far left) on Eggheads]]
His wife Rebecca is currently a West Suffolk and Suffolk County Council councillor.
His wife Rebecca is currently a [[West Suffolk District]] and [[Suffolk County Council]] councillor and the former [[Mayor]] of [[Bury St Edmunds]] (2005 - 2006).

In 2010 he appeared on the quiz show [[Eggheads (game show)|Eggheads]] where he captained a team of 6 English Channel swimmers called "Channel Buoys and Gulls" who had a combined total of 42 English Channel swims between them at the time of filming<ref>{{cite web |title="Channel Buoys and Gulls" on Eggheads |url=https://www.hoffyswims.com/search?q=eggheads |website=hoffyswims.com |publisher=Paul Hopfensperger |access-date=30 May 2024 |date=August 2009}}</ref>. The team included the King of The English Channel, [[Kevin Murphy (swimmer)|Kevin Murphy]] who has swum the English Channel a record 34 times.


During the [[COVID pandemic]], he co-authored a book with many renowned international speakers including [[Jim Rohn|Jim Rohn's]] 19 year business partner Kyle Wilson, [[Denis Waitley|Denis Waitley]], and [[Zig Ziglar|Zig Ziglar's]] son Tom Ziglar called “Bringing Value, Solving Problems and Leaving a Legacy” which became an International #1 Amazon Bestseller.
In 2010 he appeared on the quiz show [[Eggheads (game show)|Eggheads]] where he captained a team of 6 English Channel swimmers called "Channel Buoys and Gulls".


During the [[COVID pandemic]], he co-authored a book called “Bringing Value, Solving Problems and Leaving a Legacy” which became an International #1 Amazon Bestseller. He also released a song entitled 'Just Keep Swimming Until You Get To France!' based on his experience of swimming the Channel, which also hit number one on the Amazon chart.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rhoda Morrison |title=Bury St Edmunds councillor Paul Hopfensperger celebrates two Amazon #1 best-sellers with co-authored book and song |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/success-for-councillor-whose-book-and-song-bagged-1-spots-i-9218611/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=1 October 2021}}</ref>
He also released a song entitled 'Just Keep Swimming Until You Get To France!' based on his experience of swimming the Channel, which also hit number one on the Amazon chart.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Rhoda Morrison |title=Bury St Edmunds councillor Paul Hopfensperger celebrates two Amazon #1 best-sellers with co-authored book and song |url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/bury-st-edmunds/news/success-for-councillor-whose-book-and-song-bagged-1-spots-i-9218611/ |website=suffolknews.co.uk |publisher=Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd |access-date=25 May 2024 |date=1 October 2021}}</ref>


==Television==
==Television==
Line 140: Line 165:
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
| 1978 || Home in England || Himself || 30 Minute BBC Documentary featuring his late Father Johann Hopfensperger
| 1978 || Home in England || Himself - Working in his father's shop || 30 Minute BBC Documentary featuring his late Father Johann Hopfensperger
|-
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Human Body: Pushing the Limits]]'' || Himself - English Channel Swimmer || Episode 1: ''"Strength"''<ref>{{cite web |title=IMDb "Human Body: Pushing the Limits" Strength (TV Episode 2008) | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1218167/?ref_=ttep_ep1 | publisher=IMDb.com, Inc. |access-date=28 May 2024 |date=2 March 2008}}</ref>
| 2008 || ''[[Human Body: Pushing the Limits]]'' || Himself - English Channel Swimmer || Episode 1: ''"Strength"''<ref>{{cite web |title=IMDb "Human Body: Pushing the Limits" Strength (TV Episode 2008) | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1218167/?ref_=ttep_ep1 | publisher=IMDb.com, Inc. |access-date=28 May 2024 |date=2 March 2008}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 20:44, 2 June 2024

Paul Hopfensperger
Hopfensperger in 2008
Suffolk County Councillor
for Tower Division
In office
5 May 2005 – 4 June 2009
Preceded byNew Seat
Succeeded byMark Ereira-Guyer
West Suffolk District Councillor
for St Olaves Ward
In office
2 May 2019 – 4 May 2023
Preceded byNew Seat
Succeeded byFrank Stennett
St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor
for St Olaves Ward
In office
5 May 2011 – 2 May 2019
Preceded byMark Ereira-Guyer
Succeeded bySeat Abolished
Bury St Edmunds Town Councillor for St Olaves Ward
In office
5 May 2016 – 4 May 2023
Preceded byBob Cockle
Succeeded byFrank Stennett
Bury St Edmunds Town Councillor for Eastgate Ward
In office
6 June 2003 – 6 June 2006
Preceded byNew Seat
Succeeded byPatricia Warby
Deputy Mayor of Bury St Edmunds
In office
2019–2020
In office
2005–2006
Personal details
Born (1963-03-27) 27 March 1963 (age 61)
Political partyIndependent (2008–present)
Other political
affiliations		Conservative (Before 2008)
SpouseRebecca (Beccy)
Alma materThe Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (now Anglia Ruskin University)
Websitewebsite
NicknameHoffy

Paul Hopfensperger (born 1963) is an International #1 Amazon bestselling author and music artist, former British Open Water Swimmer, and former Independent Politician.

Early life[edit]

During his youth he was a competitive swimmer representing his home town of Bury St Edmunds and the County of Suffolk, including captaining the Bury St Edmunds Swimming Club ('The Bury Beavers') on three occasions between 1978 and 1981.

Swimming career[edit]

He has completed two solo crossings of The English Channel in 2007 and 2008[1] (the 84th person in history to do so) one relay (2010) as part of the six person 'Team Iryna International English Channel Relay Team'[2]

His first swim in 2007 was relayed live from the English Channel by on board reporter Jon Wright for BBC Radio Suffolk. Updates were broadcast throughout the day for the duration of the 13 hour 52 minute swim.[3] It also featured in the first episode of the Emmy nominated Discovery Channel documentary Human Body: Pushing the Limits.

In 2008 he competed at two FINA Open Water Grand Prix[4], becoming oldest known person to represented Great Britain at Open Water Swimming.[5][6]

Political career[edit]

He unsuccessfully stood for election to St Edmundsbury Borough Council in 1999 and 2003 (losing by just 5 votes) before before being co-opted onto the newly formed Bury St Edmunds Town Council at it's second ever meeting in June 2003, and serving as Deputy Mayor from 2005-2006.

He was elected to the newly created Tower Division on Suffolk County Council in 2005 as a Conservative, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Roads and Transport Scrutiny Committee and Assistant to the Portfolio Holder for the London 2012 Olympic Games. However in February 2008 he quit the party over it's policy to abolish the county's middle schools.[7] A month later he received a police caution under the Representation of the People Act during a by election for Bury St Edmunds Town Council for stating "It looks like Paul Farmer has done well" on his website after returning from the opening of the postal votes.[8][9]

He unsuccessfully ran for re-election to Suffolk County Council in 2009 in Hardwick Division, before winning a seat on St Edmundsbury Borough Council in 2011 which he held until 2023, by which time St Edmundsbury had merged with Forest Heath to become West Suffolk District Council.[10]

In the 2017 general election he nominated to run for Parliament in the Bury St Edmunds constituency[11] but he withdrew before the election for personal reasons. He did run in 2019[12] finishing 4th (of 4 candidate) with 2.7% of the vote.

In 2021 he heavily criticized the post Brexit trading arrangements as a "complete and utter disaster". He would go on to say "If anyone tells me 'we knew what we were voting for' I say to them you certainly didn't know what you were voting for."[13]

Elections contested[edit]

UK Parliament elections

Date of election Constituency Party Votes % Result
2019 Bury St Edmunds Independent 1,694 2.7 Not elected (4th)

Suffolk County Council elections

Date of election Division Party Votes % Result
2005 Tower Conservative 2,747 28.3 Elected
2009 Hardwick Independent 824 28.8 Not elected (2nd)
2013 Hardwick Independent 737 27.7 Not elected (2nd)
2017 Tower Independent 1,623 20.3 Not elected (3rd)

Borough and District Council elections

Date of election Ward Party Votes % Result
1999 Risbygate Conservative 442 39.7 Not elected (3rd)
2003 Southgate Conservative 744 48.1 Not elected (2nd)
2011 St Olaves Independent 421 33.6 Elected
2015 St Olaves Independent 835 37.8 Elected
2019 St Olaves Independent 680 50.9 Elected

Bury St. Edmunds Town Council elections

Date of election Ward Party Votes % Result
2003 Eastgate Independent Co-opted (voted in by members of the council)
2016 St Olaves Independent 288 46.7 Elected[14]
2019 St Olaves Independent 712 53.3 Elected[15]

Personal life[edit]

Hopfensperger (far left) on Eggheads

His wife Rebecca is currently a West Suffolk District and Suffolk County Council councillor and the former Mayor of Bury St Edmunds (2005 - 2006).

In 2010 he appeared on the quiz show Eggheads where he captained a team of 6 English Channel swimmers called "Channel Buoys and Gulls" who had a combined total of 42 English Channel swims between them at the time of filming[16]. The team included the King of The English Channel, Kevin Murphy who has swum the English Channel a record 34 times.

During the COVID pandemic, he co-authored a book with many renowned international speakers including Jim Rohn's 19 year business partner Kyle Wilson, Denis Waitley, and Zig Ziglar's son Tom Ziglar called “Bringing Value, Solving Problems and Leaving a Legacy” which became an International #1 Amazon Bestseller.

He also released a song entitled 'Just Keep Swimming Until You Get To France!' based on his experience of swimming the Channel, which also hit number one on the Amazon chart.[17]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1978 Home in England Himself - Working in his father's shop 30 Minute BBC Documentary featuring his late Father Johann Hopfensperger
2008 Human Body: Pushing the Limits Himself - English Channel Swimmer Episode 1: "Strength"[18]
2010 Eggheads (game show) Himself - Captain of an English Channel Swimmers team. Series 11, Episode 73, 'Channel Buoys and Gulls'[19][20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Councillor plans new channel challenge". eadt.co.uk. East Anglian Daily Times. 8 August 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Paul Hopfensperger - Channel swimmer". dover.uk.com. Dover.UK. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  3. ^ Jon Wright (2 July 2007). "Absolutely fantastic". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Paul Hopfensperger - Athlete". worldaquatics.com. World Aquatics. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Paul Hopfensperger Swimming Achievements 2008" (PDF). bodyandmindstudio.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Paul Hopfensperger - Openwaterpedia". www.openwaterpedia.com. Steven Munatones. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Top Tory quits in middle schools protest". eadt.co.uk. East Anglian Daily Times. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  8. ^ Laurence Cawley (28 April 2008). "Leading councillor given police caution". eadt.co.uk. East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Candidate receives police caution". bbc.co.uk. BBC. 28 April 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  10. ^ Rhoda Morrison (6 October 2019). "Deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds Cllr Paul Hopfensperger accuses town council of breaking the rules". suffolknews.co.uk. Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  11. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). West Suffolk Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2017.
  12. ^ Rhoda Morrison (19 October 2019). "Deputy mayor of Bury St Edmunds and Independent councillor Paul Hopfensperger announces plans to run for MP in next general election". suffolknews.co.uk. Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  13. ^ Dan Barker (22 March 2021). "Brexit trade deal branded 'complete and utter disaster' by Bury St Edmunds councillor". suffolknews.co.uk. Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  14. ^ Ian Gallin. "Election of a Town Councillor for St. Olaves Ward on May 05, 2016" (PDF). westsuffolk.gov.uk. West Suffolk Council. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  15. ^ Ian Gallin. "Election of a Town Councillor for St. Olaves Ward on May 02, 2019" (PDF). westsuffolk.gov.uk. West Suffolk Council. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  16. ^ ""Channel Buoys and Gulls" on Eggheads". hoffyswims.com. Paul Hopfensperger. August 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  17. ^ Rhoda Morrison (1 October 2021). "Bury St Edmunds councillor Paul Hopfensperger celebrates two Amazon #1 best-sellers with co-authored book and song". suffolknews.co.uk. Iliffe Media Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  18. ^ "IMDb "Human Body: Pushing the Limits" Strength (TV Episode 2008)". IMDb.com, Inc. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  19. ^ "ABC Television Australia - Eggheads - Channel Buoys and Gulls". abc.net.au. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Hoffy Swims - Swimming Blog". Paul Hopfensperger. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2024.



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source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft:Paul_Hopfensperger&diff=1226962551&oldid=1226132520