Susan Molinari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Molinari
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| Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – July 17, 1997 |
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| Leader | Newt Gingrich |
| Preceded by | Bill McCollum |
| Succeeded by | Jennifer Dunn |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office March 20, 1990 – August 2, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Guy Molinari |
| Succeeded by | Vito Fossella |
| Constituency | 14th district (1990–1993) 13th district (1993–1997) |
| Member of the New York City Council from the 1st district |
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| In office January 1, 1986 – March 20, 1990 |
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| Preceded by | Frank Fossella |
| Succeeded by | Fred Cerullo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 27, 1958 New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
| Parent | Guy Molinari (father) |
| Education | State University of New York, Albany (BA) |
Susan Molinari, born on March 27, 1958, is an American who has worked in many different fields. She has been a politician, a business leader, a journalist, and a lobbyist. She was a member of the Republican Party and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1990 to 1997. She represented Staten Island for three terms.
Many saw her as a rising star in her party. She was chosen to give a main speech at the 1996 Republican National Convention. However, in 1997, she left Congress to become a TV journalist for CBS News. Later, from 2012 to 2018, she worked at Google as a vice president for public policy.
Contents
Early Life and Education
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Susan Molinari was born in Staten Island, New York. Her father, Guy Molinari, was a lawyer and a Republican politician. Her grandfather, S. Robert Molinari, was also a politician.
She went to the University at Albany, The State University of New York. After college, she started her political career.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
- 1990 Election
On January 1, 1990, Susan's father, Guy Molinari, decided to leave his job as a U.S. Representative. He wanted to become the Borough President of Staten Island. Susan then decided to run for his seat in the 14th congressional district, which included Staten Island.
Before the special election, The New York Times newspaper supported Molinari. They said she would bring a moderate Republican voice to New York City's mostly Democratic group of representatives. In March 1990, she won the election against Robert Gigante.
- 1992 Election
After some changes to the district maps, she ran in New York's 13th congressional district. She won the Republican primary election with 75% of the votes. In the main election, she defeated NYC Councilmember Sal Albanese and was elected for her first full term.
- 1994 Election
She was re-elected for her second full term, winning with 71% of the votes.
- 1996 Election
She won re-election for her third full term with 62% of the votes. She left her position on August 2, 1997.
Her Time in Congress
While in the House of Representatives, Susan Molinari was known as one of the more moderate members of the Republican Party.
She supported the Republicans' 1994 Contract with America. This plan aimed to balance the national budget and opposed putting U.S. troops under United Nations command. On social issues, she often had more liberal views than many other Republicans. ..... However, in 2012, after having children, she stated she had changed her views.
She also voted with Democrats to support the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law allows workers to take time off for family or medical reasons without losing their jobs. She often spoke about "family values" as a new mother. She also worked hard to help other Republicans get elected, even if they disagreed with her on some issues. She supported lowering Social Security taxes, giving tax cuts to the middle class, and offering tax credits for families. Molinari also worked to bring freight train service back to the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island.
On crime issues, she supported using the federal death penalty more often. She is also remembered for helping to create Federal Rules of Evidence 413-15. These rules help the legal system bring people who commit serious crimes to justice.
In her book, she mentioned that the strong disagreements within the Republican Party made her feel uneasy. This happened after Republicans gained control of the House and Newt Gingrich became Speaker. Molinari gave the main speech at the 1996 Republican National Convention. However, she resigned from the House in June 1997 to become a TV journalist for CBS.
Committee Work
When she was first elected, she worked on the Small Business Committee and the Public Works committees. Later, she joined the Education and Labor Committee. When Republicans took control of the House in 1995, Molinari moved to the House Budget Committee.
She also served as the vice chairwoman of the Republican Conference and the Republican Policy Committee.
After Congress
Working in Journalism
At CBS, Molinari was a co-host for the news show CBS This Morning for about nine months until 1998. Her hiring caused some discussion because her main experience was in politics, not journalism. People wondered if a politician could be truly fair as a journalist. Others criticized her on-air style.
Molinari announced she was pregnant near the end of her time at CBS. Her second child was born in early 1999.
Later, Molinari hosted a public affairs show called The Flipside. She has also often appeared as a guest on political talk shows.
Lobbying and Consulting Work
After working as a lobbyist on her own, Molinari joined the Washington Group in October 2001. She became the president and chief executive of this lobbying firm.
In 2008, Molinari joined the law and public policy firm Bracewell & Giuliani. This firm includes former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Before that, she was president of Ketchum Public Affairs and also led Ketchum Inc.'s lobbying firm, The Washington Group. In 2006, her firm received money from Freddie Mac to lobby for them.
..... This group runs a phone hotline and works with many crisis centers across the country. They also have programs on college campuses. Molinari has helped by supporting laws and leading a group to create an internet-based version of the hotline.
Molinari also chairs The Century Council. ..... They do this through education, communication, research, and working with law enforcement. This Council is funded by major alcohol companies.
Political Activities After Congress
Even though she left Congress, Molinari has stayed involved in politics behind the scenes. She supported George W. Bush's election in 2000. However, she also joined other moderate Republicans to form the Republican Unity Coalition. This group disagreed with Bush's decision to support a change to the U.S. Constitution that would ban same-sex marriage.
Molinari did not run for elected office in 2006, even though some thought she might run against Senator Hillary Clinton. She served as an adviser for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's 2008 presidential campaign. There was also talk that she might run for mayor of New York City in 2009, but she did not. In January 2010, Molinari said she was thinking about running for Senate against U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. However, three days later, she announced she had decided not to run.
In 2013, Molinari signed a legal brief supporting same-sex marriage during the Hollingsworth v. Perry case at the Supreme Court.
In 2020, it was announced that she would speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention to support Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. This made her one of only two people who had given a main speech at a Republican convention to later speak at a Democratic convention.
Molinari is also a member of the Atlantic Council's Board of Directors.
Personal Life
Susan Molinari married fellow U.S. Representative Bill Paxon on July 3, 1994. She had been married before to John Lucchesi. She and Bill Paxon have two daughters. As of 2006, they live in Alexandria, Virginia.
See also
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
