Iowa Public Television

To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe

Episode #2149

TOPICS: Meet the New Congresswomen #2.

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D- 3rd District OH) She is one of two African American women elected from Ohio. Beatty was a Senior Vice-President at Ohio State University and became a leader within her time spent as a democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D- 9th District AZ) Prior to being elected to Congress, Sinema served in both chambers of the Arizona legislature. During her tenure in government, Sinema worked on the adoption of the Dream Act and as an advocate for same-sex marriage in Arizona. She is also the first elected openly bisexual congressperson.

Rep. Jackie Walorski (R- 2nd District IN) For the first time in the history of Indiana, Walorski became one of the two Republicans voted into Congress. She has also served in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, (D- 5th District CT) With her daughter to thank for her first campaign, Esty has become an important figure in government. Although she lost her seat at one point due to her stance on the death penalty, she has always voted according to her beliefs and won back her seat.

Rep. Ann McLane Kuster (D- 2nd District NH) Ann McLane Kuster began politics while following in the footsteps of her father and is now the first woman to represent her district in Congress which additionally makes her part of the matriarchy taking place in New Hampshire government.

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D- 1st District WA) DelBene helped to start drugstore.com, spent 12 years at Microsoft, became a senior advisor to Global Partnerships, and served as the Director of the Washington State Department of Revenue. [26 minutes]