Gwen Graham

This article is about the politician. For the serial murderess, see Gwendolyn Graham and Cathy Wood.
Gwen Graham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2015
Preceded by Steve Southerland
Personal details
Born January 31, 1963
Miami Lakes, Florida, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Mark Logan (Married 1985;
Divorced)
Stephen Hurm
Children 3 (with Logan)
Alma mater University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill
American University
Religion Episcopalian
Website House website

Gwen Graham (born January 31, 1963) is an American attorney, politician and member of the Democratic Party who is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 2nd congressional district.

The daughter of Bob Graham, a former United States Senator and former Governor of Florida, she defeated Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in the 2014 elections, one of only two Democrats to defeat incumbent House Republicans in that year's elections, along with Brad Ashford of Nebraska.

Early life

Graham was born in Miami Lakes, Florida.[1] Her father, Bob Graham, is a former United States Senator and Governor of Florida.[2] She moved to Tallahassee in 1978, when her father became Governor.[1] Graham graduated from Leon High School in 1980.[3]

Career

Graham received her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984 and her law degree from American University's Washington College of Law in 1988.[3] She worked for Andrews & Kurth.[4][5] She joined her father's 2004 presidential campaign. When he dropped out of the race following a heart attack, Graham joined Howard Dean's presidential campaign.[6] After John Kerry secured the Democratic Party's nomination, she went to work for his campaign.[7] Graham worked as a Leon County school administrator.[1]

In 2013, Graham announced her candidacy against incumbent Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in 2014.[8] The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that they will target the race and provide support to her.[9] Graham defeated Southerland in the November election.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Prior to her swearing in, Graham said that she would oppose Nancy Pelosi for the top Democratic leadership position.[11] During the voice vote, the Washington Post reported, "there were 'no nays audible in room.'" However, a spokesman for Graham said she did vote against Pelosi, and "it was just drowned out by the other people voting."[12][13] Graham instead voted for Jim Cooper of Tennessee.

Graham is pro-choice, supports Obamacare, same-sex marriage and the legalization of medical marijuana, but opposes gun control.[14] She also voted for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Personal life

Graham lives in Tallahassee.[2] She married Mark Logan in 1985,[15] and they had three children together.[2] Graham and Logan divorced, and Graham is now married to Stephen Hurm.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Daughter Of Former Fla. Sen. Bob Graham Running For Congress". NPR. April 2, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "With Graham name, Democrats see rare chance for Florida win". Reuters. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Sen. Bob Graham's daughter, Gwen, holds fundraiser". Miamilaker.com. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Steve Southerland says Gwen Graham 'was a Washington lobbyist'". @politifact. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ledyard King (September 14, 2014). "Florida District 2 race heats up between Steve Southerland, Gwen Graham". PolitiFact. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Graham's Daughter Steps Into Politics". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  7. ↑ "State: New Graham rising on political horizon". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ King, Ledyard (May 5, 2013). "Southerland faces tough 2014 re-election bid". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  9. ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (May 9, 2013). "DCCC unveils plan to boost top prospects in 2014". Politico. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  10. ↑ Karl Etters, Tallahassee Democrat (November 4, 2014). "Gwen Graham defeats Steve Southerland". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  11. ↑ Jake Sherman. "Gwen Graham: 'I am not Nancy Pelosi'". POLITICO. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Gwen Graham says she doesn't support Pelosi, despite Democrats' vote". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  13. ↑ "House Democrats reelect Nancy Pelosi their leader". Washington Post. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/campus-election-engagement-project/steve-southerland-vs-gwen_b_6067000.html
  15. ↑ "Democrats recruiting Gwen Graham, daughter of former governor Bob Graham, to challenge Steve Southerland". SaintPetersBlog. Retrieved November 5, 2014.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Steve Southerland		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Florida's 2nd congressional district
2015–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Ruben Gallego		 United States Representatives by seniority
396th 		Succeeded by
Garret Graves