Abby Finkenauer
Abby Lea Finkenauer (born December 27, 1988[1]) is an American politician who has been the United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues since 2022. She is a member of the United States Democratic Party. She was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Iowa's 1st congressional district from January 3, 2019 until January 3, 2021.
Abby Finkenauer | |
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United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues | |
Assumed office December 1, 2022 | |
President | Joe Biden |
Preceded by | Office established |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 1st district | |
In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Rod Blum |
Succeeded by | Ashley Hinson |
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 99th district | |
In office January 12, 2015 – January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Pat Murphy |
Succeeded by | Lindsay James |
Personal details | |
Born | Abby Lea Finkenauer December 27, 1988 Sherrill, Iowa, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) |
Daniel Wasta (m. 2020) |
Education | Drake University (BA) |
Political career
changeIn 2015, she became the member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 99th district.
In the United States House of Representatives' 2018 election, Finkenauer was the Democratic nominee for Iowa's 1st Congressional District.[2] She won the election. She lost her re-election in November 2020 to Republican Ashley Hinson.
In July 2021, Finkenauer announced her candidacy for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in Iowa, for the seat held by Chuck Grassley.[3] On April 11, 2022, a judge ruled that she could not appear on the Democratic primary ballot because her nominating petitions did not have enough verified signatures.[4] Four days later, the State Supreme Court ruled Finkenauer can appear on the ballot.[5] However, she lost the nomination to retired vice admiral Michael Franken in June 2022.[6]
In November 2022, Finkenauer was nominated to be a United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues.[7] She took office on December 1, 2022.[8]
Personal life
changeFinkenauer was born in Sherrill, Iowa. She was raised in Dubuque, Iowa. In 2011, Finkenauer graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in public relations.[9]
Finkenauer married Daniel Wasta, the Iowa Political Director for the Elizabeth Warren 2020 presidential campaign in 2020.[10][11]
Finkenauer has endometriosis and has supported endometriosis research funding.[12]
References
change- ↑ "Iowa's 1st Congressional District". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ The Fight For Iowa's White Working Class Soul (Report). The Atlantic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
- ↑ Quinn Scanlan (July 22, 2021). "Former Rep. Abby Finkenauer announces run for GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley's Iowa seat". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2021-07-22. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
- ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (April 11, 2022). "Abby Finkenauer can't appear on Democratic primary ballot, Iowa judge rules". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
- ↑ Gruber-Miller, Stephen (April 15, 2022). "U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer will appear on primary ballot, Iowa Supreme Court rules". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ↑ "Michael Franken to challenge Chuck Grassley in November 2022 election". Desmoinesregister.com. June 7, 2022. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
- ↑ Blinken, Antony J. (December 1, 2022). "Appointment of Abby Finkenauer as Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues". United States Department of State.
- ↑ Looker, Rachel (September 1, 2023). "A State Department office gives young people a voice. Abby Finkenauer leads the effort". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
- ↑ "Iowa Congresswoman Engaged to Marry Presidential Candidate's Staffer". whotv.com. October 20, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ↑ "Rep. Abby Finkenauer married on Saturday in private ceremony". KWWL. August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ↑ Longman, Molly. "Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer: Why I Fought To Double Endometriosis Funding". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.