Abby Finkenauer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abby Finkenauer
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| United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues |
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| In office December 1, 2022 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Rod Blum |
| Succeeded by | Ashley Hinson |
| Member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 99th district |
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| In office January 12, 2015 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Pat Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Lindsay James |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Abby Lea Finkenauer
December 27, 1988 Dubuque, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Daniel Wasta
(m. 2020) |
| Education | Drake University (BA) |
Abby Lea Finkenauer, born on December 27, 1988, is an American politician. From 2022 to 2025, she worked for the United States Department of State as the United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues. This role means she represented the U.S. and worked with young people around the world.
Before this, Finkenauer was a U.S. representative for Iowa's 1st congressional district from 2019 to 2021. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining Congress, she served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. In 2018, Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne made history. They became the first women from Iowa to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Finkenauer was also one of the youngest women ever elected to the U.S. House.
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Early Life and Education
Abby Finkenauer was born in Dubuque, Iowa. She grew up in a nearby town called Sherrill, Iowa.
She went to Hempstead High School in Dubuque. In 2011, she graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She earned a bachelor's degree in public relations.
Political Career Beginnings
In 2006, Finkenauer worked as a page for U.S. Representative Jim Nussle. A page helps out lawmakers in Congress. The next year, she was a page for Patrick Murphy. He was the Democratic Speaker of the Iowa State House of Representatives.
In 2007, Finkenauer helped with Joe Biden's presidential campaign in Iowa. She later worked as an aide for state Representative Todd Taylor. She also worked as a communications specialist for a community foundation in Dubuque.
Serving in the Iowa House
In 2014, Finkenauer ran for the seat that her former boss, Pat Murphy, used to hold. She won the Democratic primary election. Then, in the main election, she defeated her opponent. She was 25 years old when she was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives.
She ran for reelection in 2016 and won without any opponents.
U.S. House of Representatives
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Running for Congress
In May 2017, Finkenauer announced she would run for Iowa's 1st congressional district. This seat was held by Republican Rod Blum.
In June 2018, she won the Democratic primary election. She defeated several other candidates. Many experts thought her race would be very close. Former President Barack Obama supported her campaign. She won the election against Rod Blum by many votes.
Time in Congress
Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne were elected in 2018. They became the first women to represent Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives. Finkenauer was also the second-youngest woman ever elected to the House. She turned 30 just a week before she officially started her job in January 2019. She also served as an assistant whip in the House. This role helps make sure party members vote together.
Working on Committees
While in the U.S. House, Finkenauer was part of important committees. These committees work on specific topics.
- Committee on Small Business: This committee helps small businesses.
- Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development
- Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship (Chair)
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: This committee deals with roads, bridges, and other public works.
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (Vice Chair)
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
Special Groups in Congress
Finkenauer was also a member of several special groups, called caucuses. These groups focus on specific issues.
- Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues
- Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
- Future Forum Caucus (Vice Chair)
- Congressional Endometriosis Caucus (Co-Chair)
2022 U.S. Senate Campaign
In July 2021, Finkenauer announced she would run for the United States Senate in Iowa. She wanted to win the seat held by Chuck Grassley.
There was a legal challenge about her campaign signatures. A judge first said she couldn't be on the ballot. But then, the Iowa Supreme Court changed that decision. They allowed her to run in the primary election.
In the primary election, Michael Franken defeated Finkenauer. He was a retired vice admiral from the United States Navy. Many people thought Finkenauer would win, so his victory was a surprise.
Working for the President
On November 21, 2022, Abby Finkenauer was chosen for a new role. She became the United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues. She started this job on December 1, 2022.
In this role, she traveled to many countries. She visited places like Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, and Thailand. She represented the United States and worked on issues important to young people worldwide. For example, she took part in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative in Bali in May 2023.
Personal Life
Abby Finkenauer married Daniel Wasta on August 8, 2020. He worked for the Elizabeth Warren 2020 presidential campaign.
Finkenauer has talked about her experience with endometriosis. This is a health condition that affects women. She has worked to get more money for research into this condition. She also started a special group in Congress called the Congressional Endometriosis Caucus.
Finkenauer is Roman Catholic.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
