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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D)
Arizona - 8th District
www.giffordsforcongress.com
PO Box 12886
Tucson, AZ 85732
About the Candidate
A third-generation Arizonan and the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate, Representative Gabrielle Giffords is serving her first term in Congress. Before her election to the U.S. House, Giffords represented her hometown of Tucson in the state Legislature from 2000 to 2005. During her service in both the state House and Senate, Giffords worked on legislation to expand health care coverage, create and attract high wage jobs, and protect the environment and open spaces in Arizona.
A former president and chief executive officer of El Campo Tire, Inc., Giffords developed leadership experience as a small business owner with a broad background in national and international economic development. She launched her own small business in 2000, Giffords Capital Management LLC, where she remains a partner.
In the 110th Congress, Giffords serves on the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Science and Technology Committees.
About the Race
This November, Giffords handily defeated Republican state Senator Tim Bee, winning 55% to 43%. This is Giffords' second term.
On Environmental Issues
Giffords is a member of the Congressional Freshman Caucus on Energy and Climate, House Water Caucus, and Climate Change Caucus. She has also sponsored legislation to designate the Arizona National Scenic Trail and cosponsored legislation to support the development and research of markets for biofuels and solar energy technology. In 2007, Giffords received an LCV rating of 95 percent.
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Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R)
Illinois - 13th District
www.biggert.com
Judy Biggert for Congress
P.O. Box 637 Hinsdale, IL 60522
About the Candidate
A lifelong Illinois resident, Representative Judy Biggert draws upon a wealth of experience as a state legislator, lawyer, community leader, and small business owner to serve the suburban Chicago residents of Illinois' 13th District. In the 110th Congress, she serves on the Education and Labor, Financial Services, and Science and Technology Committees.
Biggert began her public service career in 1992, when she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives’ newly created 81st District, where she served three terms. For her work to protect the children and families of Illinois, she was named "Woman of the Year" in Government, Politics and Civic Affairs by the DuPage YWCA. She has also been honored by the National Parks Conservation Association.
In Congress, Biggert worked to improve funding for women's health research, resources for survivors of dating violence, and child care assistance for low-income families as a former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. As a member of the Committee on Science, Biggert has also helped strengthen the nation’s basic science research facilities, including Argonne National Laboratory, located in her district.
About the Race
This year, Biggert was one Republican incumbent able to win re-election, beating out challenger Scott Harper, a marketing firm owner, 54% to 44%.
On Environmental Issues
In the 109th and 110th Congresses, Biggert sponsored legislation driven by her commitment to reduce U.S. dependency on oil. She has been a staunch supporter of the development of alternative-energy technologies through the Energy Technology Transfer Act, the Energy Efficient Buildings Act, and the Oil- and Gas-to-Alternatives Swap Act.
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Congresswoman Melissa Bean (D)
Illinois - 8th District
www.melissabean.com
Melissa Bean for Congress
P.O. Box 3068 Barrington, IL 60011
About the Candidate
Representative Melissa Bean brings her background of over 20 years in business and entrepreneurship to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she represents Illinois’ 8th District. Currently serving her second term, she regards public service as an extension of her commitment to her community.
Bean serves on the House Financial Services Committee, sharing her expertise on both the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit. She also serves on the House Committee on Small Business, where she is chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance, and Exports.
Prior to entering Congress, Bean helped build revenues in sales management positions at leading technology companies before founding her own consulting firm in 1995, which advised high-tech Fortune 1000 clients for nine years.
About the Race
In 2008, Melissa Bean won a solid victory over Republican challenger Steve Greenberg, a businessman and former professional hockey player, securing 60% of the vote. She will have a leadership role in the New Democratic Coalition in the 111th Congress.
On Environmental Issues
In the 110th Congress, Bean has co-sponsored legislation in support of efforts to combat global warming. She was a co-sponsor of H.R. 969, which would require utilities to provide 20 percent of our energy from renewable sources by 2020. She also supported the Energy Independence & Security Act, which would increase average fuel economy standards from 25 miles per gallon to 35 by 2020, the first such increase in 30 years. In 2007, Bean received an LCV lifetime rating of 82 percent.
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Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
New York - 20th District
www.kirstengillibrand.com
PO Box 1279
Hudson, NY 12534
About the Candidate
Kirsten Gillibrand, who served one full term in the House before being appointed to the Senate, is an accomplished civic leader and attorney in both the public and private sectors. Gillibrand was raised in the tradition of public service – as a child, she campaigned door-to-door with her grandmother who founded the area's first women's Democratic club and was a pioneer for women's rights in the region.
During the Clinton Administration, she served as special counsel to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Andrew Cuomo. She played a key role in furthering HUD's Labor and New Markets Initiatives and drafted legislation for public and private investment in infrastructure in lower-income areas. Formerly a partner at Boies, Schiller & Flexner, one of the premier law firms in the U.S., Gillibrand worked on a wide range of legal and policy-related issues and developed an expertise in negotiation. Gillibrand uses those experiences as a member on the Agriculture and Armed Services Committees.
About the Race
In 2008, Gillibrand won a hard fought election in one of the most expensive House races in the country, topping Republican challenger Sandy Treadwell with 62% of the vote.
Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed to the US Senate on January 23, 2009 by New York Governor David Paterson to fill the seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
On Environmental Issues
In the 110th Congress, Gillibrand co-sponsored the CLEAN Energy Act of 2007, supporting the investment in renewable energy. As a member of the Agriculture Committee, she helped craft the Farm Bill, which included unprecedented attention to biofuels and rural energy development. In 2007, Gillibrand received an LCV rating of 95 percent and was endorsed by the Sierra Club.
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Mary Jo Kilroy (D)
Ohio - 15th District
www.kilroyforcongress.com
271 East State Street
Columbus, OH 43215
About the Candidate
As a public school mother, Mary Jo Kilroy first ran for public office in 1991, serving two terms on the Columbus Board of Education. She was elected Franklin County Board Commissioner in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. Under her leadership, Franklin County has dedicated itself to fiscal responsibility, economic development, quality health care, and environmental protection and sustainability. Her tenacity led to Franklin County being ranked as one of the five best-managed counties in the country by "Governing" magazine.
The daughter of a pipe-fitter and World War II veteran, Kilroy earned a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University and a law degree from Ohio State University. She spent a number of years working in the private sector as a partner at the Handelman and Kilroy Law Firm, until resigning to pursue a career in public service.
About the Race
Kilroy's victory over Republican Steve Stivers was announced on Sunday, December 7, after the Ohio Supreme Court had to intervene in the vote counting. The final margin was 2,311 votes out of more than 304,000 cast.
On Environmental Issues
As Franklin County Board president from 2005 to 2007, Kilroy worked to balance economic growth with environmental needs and fought to promote sustainable growth principles in policy decisions. Thanks to her efforts, the Big Darby Accord Panel was created to protect the long-term environmental health and economic vitality of Central Ohio. As a candidate for Congress, Kilroy supports the research and development of alternative-energy technologies and has been endorsed by the Sierra Club for the second election cycle in a row.
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State Senator Chellie Pingree (D)
Maine - 1st District
www.chelliepingree.com
PO Box 17613
Portland, ME 04112
About the Candidate
Chellie Pingree has enjoyed a varied career in business, farming, and public service. From 1992 to 2000, she was a Maine state Senator, serving as Senate Majority Leader from 1996 to 2000. During her tenure, she was known for winning important legislative battles over health care, economic development, and the environment and earned several awards, including Consumer Health Advocate of the Year. In 2002, she was a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, and while not successful, she garnered 42 percent of the vote against a popular incumbent. Pingree then became president and CEO of Common Cause, a position she held through spring 2007, when she resigned to run for this open seat being vacated by Representative Tom Allen. Prior to public service, Pingree was active in the tiny island community of North Haven, where she was chair of the school board and founder of the North Haven Arts and Enrichment Association.
About the Race
In 2008, Pingree defeated Republican former state Senator Charlie Summers 55% to 45%, to succeed Rep. Tom Allen in the House.
On Environmental Issues
During her tenure as a Maine state Senator and Senate majority leader, she championed environmental causes and fought to preserve and protect Maine's natural resources. She was an original sponsor of legislation to appropriate $50 million to acquire public land in the largest non-transportation bond proposal in Maine history. Pingree consistently voted to improve air quality, limit clear-cutting, test emissions, and suspend corporate subsidies for environmental violations. Pingree's commitment and efforts have been widely acknowledged by environmental groups. Her state LCV rating during her last four years in the Senate was a perfect 100 percent.
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Jeanne Shaheen (D)
New Hampshire
jeanneshaheen.org/home
Jeanne Shaheen for Senate
P.O. Box 1510 Manchester, NH 03105
About the Candidate
Jeanne Shaheen is a leader committed to strengthening New Hampshire middle class families and small businesses.
Although neither of Jeanne's parents graduated from college, her father worked his way up to a management position in the shoe manufacturing business and her mother worked as a secretary in their local church. They instilled in their daughter the values of determination and hard work that have guided her throughout her life, whether working a summer job in a shoe factory or devoting herself to public service. After attending public schools, Jeanne received a bachelor's degree from Shippensburg University and a master's degree from the University of Mississippi.
In 1996, Jeanne became the first woman elected Governor of New Hampshire.
Jeanne has been involved in all levels of New Hampshire life. She has taught in a New Hampshire high school. She was chair of Madbury's zoning board and co-chair of the New Hampshire Commission on the Status of Women. She was the co-founder of Somersworth's International Children's Festival and director of two successful New Hampshire presidential primary campaigns. She and her husband, Bill, live in Madbury, New Hampshire, and have three daughters, Stefany, Stacey and Molly, and six grandchildren.
In 2005 she took on the challenge of forging a new generation of public leaders when she became the Director of Harvard University’s Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government. Jeanne left the Institute of Politics in September 2007 to run for the United States Senate.
About the Race
Shaheen was considered the favorite in her rematch against incumbent freshman John Sununu. She came away with a victory, winning 52% of the vote to Sununu’s 45%.
On Environmental Issues
Governor Shaheen brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass the Clean Power Act, first-in-the-nation legislation reducing power plant emissions, and the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program, which has helped preserve 250,000 acres of open space and 88 historic places. Energy efficiency programs initiated by the Shaheen administration have saved New Hampshire families and businesses almost $400 million. Shaheen opposes tax breaks for the oil and gas companies that are already raking in record profits. She supports investments in alternative energy, including cellulosic ethanol, and energy efficiency, - investments that will lead to new jobs. Shaheen favors a variety of policies aimed at cutting carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
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With so many women running for Congressional office, we are proud to feature an evolving list of women candidates who are fighting for the environment. Some already wield power on Capitol Hill, others are newcomers to the national scene, but all are campaigning to advance the issues important to us.
Below, Rachel’s Action Network profiles these promising candidates and the races into which they are pouring their energy and enthusiasm. We encourage you to use the power of your checkbook by directly contributing to at least three women candidates with a minimum donation of $250 per election cycle. Click on the candidate photos to learn more about these leaders and lend them your support!
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