1. Abby Lea Finkenauer was born on December 27,1988 and is an American politician who served as the United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues within the US Department of State from 2022 to 2025.
22 Facts About Abby Finkenauer
1. 2.
Abby Finkenauer became the second-youngest woman to ever be elected to the US House.
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Abby Finkenauer lost reelection in 2020 and lost a primary election for the United States Senate in 2022.
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In 2011, Abby Finkenauer graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, with a bachelor's degree in public relations.
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In 2006, Abby Finkenauer was a page for US Representative Jim Nussle, a Republican who represented Northeast Iowa in Congress.
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In 2007, Abby Finkenauer was the Iowa volunteer coordinator for the Joe Biden presidential campaign.
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Abby Finkenauer was later legislative aide for Democratic state Representative Todd Taylor and communications specialist for the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
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Abby Finkenauer ran for Murphy's old seat in 2014 and won.
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Abby Finkenauer was 25 when first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives.
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In May 2017, Abby Finkenauer announced her candidacy for Iowa's 1st congressional district, which was held by Republican and Dubuque resident Rod Blum.
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In 2020, Abby Finkenauer ran again without any Democratic primary opposition.
12.
Abby Finkenauer was defeated in the general election by Republican state Representatives Ashley Hinson, by 10,741 votes.
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Abby Finkenauer is the second youngest woman ever elected to the House, being about ten months older than fellow 2018 freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Finkenauer turned 30 a week before being sworn in on January 3,2019.
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Abby Finkenauer served in House Leadership as an assistant whip during the 116th United States Congress.
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On July 22,2021, Abby Finkenauer announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for the 2022 US Senate election in Iowa, for the seat held by Chuck Grassley.
16.
The Des Moines Register called Franken's victory an upset, as Abby Finkenauer had been the perceived front-runner.
17.
On November 21,2022, Abby Finkenauer was appointed the United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues.
18.
Abby Finkenauer took office on December 1,2022, and has completed numerous international visits on behalf of the United States, including to Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, and Thailand.
19.
Abby Finkenauer participated in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative in Bali from May 1 to 5,2023.
20.
Abby Finkenauer married Daniel Wasta, the Iowa Political Director for the Elizabeth Warren 2020 presidential campaign, on August 8,2020.
21.
Abby Finkenauer has discussed her experiences with endometriosis and has worked to pass an amendment that would double endometriosis research funding.
22.
Abby Finkenauer is the founder of the Congressional Endometriosis Caucus.