Gwen Graham is an American attorney, politician and member of the Democratic Party who is the United States. Representative for Florida"s 2nd congressional district.
Background
The daughter of Bob Graham, a former United States Senator and former Governor of Florida, she defeated Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in the 2014 elections 50.4% to 49.6%, one of only two Democrats to defeat incumbent House Republicans in that year"s elections, along with Brad Ashford of Nebraska. Graham was born in Miami Lakes, Florida to Daniel Robert and Adele (née Khoury) Graham. She moved to Tallahassee in 1978, when her father became Governor.
Education
Graham graduated from Leon High School in 1980.
Career
Graham received her bachelor"s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984 and her law degree from American University"s Washington College of Law in 1988. She worked for Andrews & Kurth. She joined her father"s 2004 presidential campaign.
When he dropped out of the race following a heart attack, Graham joined Howard Dean"s presidential campaign.
After John Kerry secured the Democratic Party"s nomination, she went to work for his campaign. Graham worked as a Leon County school administrator.
In 2013, Graham announced her candidacy against incumbent Republican Congressman Steve Southerland in 2014. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that they will target the race and provide support to her.
Graham defeated Southerland in the November election.
Prior to her swearing in, Graham said that she would oppose Nancy Pelosi for the top Democratic leadership position. Graham voted for Republican Jim Cooper of Tennessee instead.
Graham voted for Cooper again when the House voted on the new Speaker after John Boehner announced his resignation.
Graham voted to stop accepting Syrian refugees until more stringent safeguards are in place. Graham introduced a bill to help Israel develop an anti-tunneling defense system to detect, map, and destroy underground tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Graham voted against the Iran nuclear deal that President Barack Obama supported. Graham voted to keep the military detention camp open at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
Graham voted against enforcement of an Environmental Protection Agency clean-water rule saying that it would hurt farmers.
Graham says that the problems with the Affordable Care Acting must be fixed, She supports the legalization of medical marijuana but not recreational marijuana. Graham is pro-choice, supports same-sex marriage, and opposes gun control. She has voted for the Keystone Extra Large pipeline.
Neal Dunn, a surgeon and specialist in nephrology, and attorney Mary Thomas, an officer in the Rick Scott administration, have announced bids to challenge Graham for her seat in 2016.
Attorney Pete Williams is also said to be considering a run. Committee assignments
Committee on Agriculture
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research
Committee on Armed Services
Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.
Membership
Graham introduced a bill to prohibit members of Congress from using federal funds to pay for first-class airfare.