# Abby Finkenauer

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**Abby Lea Finkenauer** (born December 27, 1988)[1][2][3] is an American politician who served as the [United States Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues](/source/Ambassadors_of_the_United_States#Special_envoys,_representatives,_and_coordinators) within the [U.S. Department of State](/source/United_States_Department_of_State) from 2022 to 2025. Finkenauer previously served as the [U.S. representative](/source/U.S._representative) from [Iowa's 1st congressional district](/source/Iowa's_1st_congressional_district) from 2019 to 2021. She is a member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)).

Before being elected to Congress, Finkenauer served in the [Iowa House of Representatives](/source/Iowa_House_of_Representatives) for the 99th district from 2015 to 2019. On November 6, 2018, Finkenauer and fellow Democrat [Cindy Axne](/source/Cindy_Axne) became the first women from Iowa elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Finkenauer also became the second-youngest woman to ever be elected to the U.S. House. She lost reelection in 2020 and lost a primary election for the [United States Senate](/source/United_States_Senate) in [2022](/source/2022_United_States_Senate_election_in_Iowa).

## Early life and education

Finkenauer was born in [Dubuque, Iowa](/source/Dubuque,_Iowa), and grew up in nearby [Sherrill, Iowa](/source/Sherrill,_Iowa).[4][5][6]

She graduated from [Hempstead High School](/source/Hempstead_High_School_(Dubuque,_Iowa)) in Dubuque.[4] In 2011, Finkenauer graduated from [Drake University](/source/Drake_University) in [Des Moines, Iowa](/source/Des_Moines,_Iowa), with a bachelor's degree in public relations.[7]

## Career

In 2006, Finkenauer was a [page](/source/Page_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives) for [U.S. Representative](/source/U.S._Representative) [Jim Nussle](/source/Jim_Nussle), a Republican who represented Northeast Iowa in Congress.[3][5] The following year, after Nussle ran unsuccessfully for [Governor of Iowa](/source/Governor_of_Iowa), Finkenauer was a page for [Patrick Murphy](/source/Pat_Murphy_(Iowa_politician)), the Democratic Speaker of the [Iowa State House of Representatives](/source/Iowa_State_House_of_Representatives).[3][5]

In 2007, Finkenauer was the Iowa volunteer coordinator for the [Joe Biden presidential campaign](/source/Joe_Biden_2008_presidential_campaign).[5] She was later legislative aide for Democratic [state Representative](/source/Iowa_House_of_Representatives) [Todd Taylor](/source/Todd_Taylor) and communications specialist for the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.[5]

### Iowa House of Representatives

Finkenauer ran for Murphy's old seat in 2014 and won. In the Democratic primary, Finkenauer defeated defense attorney Steve Drahozal, receiving 57.8% of the vote.[8] In the general election, she faced lawyer Daniel Dlouhy and defeated him, receiving 60.8% of the vote.[9][10] She was 25 when first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives.

She was unopposed for reelection in 2016.[4][11]

## U.S. House of Representatives

### Elections

#### 2018

See also: [2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa#District 1](/source/2018_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Iowa#District_1)

In May 2017, Finkenauer announced her candidacy for [Iowa's 1st congressional district](/source/Iowa's_1st_congressional_district), which was held by Republican and Dubuque resident [Rod Blum](/source/Rod_Blum).[12] Blum had unexpectedly defeated her former boss, Murphy, in 2014.

On June 5, 2018, she won the Democratic primary, defeating former congressional staffer Thomas Heckroth, engineer Courtney Rowe and retired military officer George Ramsey. She received 66.9% of the vote.[13]

As of September 2018, her race was classified as Lean Democratic or Tilt Democratic by 3 major rating firms.[14] On October 1, 2018, former President [Barack Obama](/source/Barack_Obama) endorsed Finkenauer.[15] She defeated Blum by 16,900 votes.[16][17]

#### 2020

See also: [2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Iowa#District 1](/source/2020_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Iowa#District_1)

In 2020, Finkenauer ran again without any Democratic primary opposition. She was defeated in the general election by Republican [state Representative](/source/Iowa_House_of_Representatives) [Ashley Hinson](/source/Ashley_Hinson), by 10,741 votes.[18]

### Tenure

Finkenauer and [Cindy Axne](/source/Cindy_Axne), elected in 2018 to represent [Iowa's 3rd congressional district](/source/Iowa's_3rd_congressional_district), became the first women to represent Iowa in the U.S. House.[4][19][20] She is the second youngest woman ever elected to the House, being about ten months older than fellow 2018 freshman [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez](/source/Alexandria_Ocasio-Cortez);[21] Finkenauer turned 30 a week before being sworn in on January 3, 2019.[22] Finkenauer also served in House Leadership as an [assistant whip](/source/Whip_(politics)) during the [116th United States Congress](/source/116th_United_States_Congress).[23]

### Committee assignments

- [**Committee on Small Business**](/source/United_States_House_Committee_on_Small_Business) - [Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development](/source/United_States_House_Small_Business_Subcommittee_on_Innovation_and_Workforce_Development) - [Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship](/source/United_States_House_Small_Business_Subcommittee_on_Agriculture,_Energy_and_Trade) (Chair)
- [**Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure**](/source/United_States_House_Committee_on_Transportation_and_Infrastructure) - [Subcommittee on Highways and Transit](/source/United_States_House_Transportation_Subcommittee_on_Highways_and_Transit) (Vice Chair) - [Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment](/source/United_States_House_Transportation_Subcommittee_on_Water_Resources_and_Environment)

### Caucus memberships

- [Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues](/source/Congressional_Caucus_for_Women's_Issues)
- [Future Forum Caucus](/source/Future_Forum) (Vice Chair)
- Congressional Endometriosis Caucus (Co-Chair)[24]

## Post-congressional career

### 2022 U.S. Senate campaign

On July 22, 2021, Finkenauer announced her candidacy in the Democratic primary for the [2022 U.S. Senate election in Iowa](/source/2022_United_States_Senate_election_in_Iowa), for the seat held by [Chuck Grassley](/source/Chuck_Grassley).[25] On April 11, 2022, a judge ruled that she was ineligible for the Democratic primary because her nominating petitions did not have enough verified signatures. Finkenauer said she would appeal the ruling, and four days later on April 15, the [Iowa Supreme Court](/source/Iowa_Supreme_Court) unanimously reversed the decision and allowed Finkenauer to appear on the primary ballot.[26][27]

[Michael Franken](/source/Michael_Franken), a retired [vice admiral](/source/Vice_admiral) in the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy), defeated Finkenauer in the primary election.[28] The *[Des Moines Register](/source/Des_Moines_Register)* called Franken's victory an [upset](/source/Upset_(competition)), as Finkenauer had been the perceived front-runner.[29]

### Biden administration

On November 21, 2022, Finkenauer was appointed the [United States Special Envoy](/source/United_States_Special_Envoy) for Global Youth Issues.[30] She 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. She participated in the [Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative](/source/Young_Southeast_Asian_Leaders_Initiative) in [Bali](/source/Bali) from May 1 to 5, 2023.[31]

## Personal life

Finkenauer married Daniel Wasta, the Iowa Political Director for the [Elizabeth Warren 2020 presidential campaign](/source/Elizabeth_Warren_2020_presidential_campaign), on August 8, 2020.[32][33]

Finkenauer has discussed her experiences with [endometriosis](/source/Endometriosis) and worked to pass an amendment that doubled federal research funding focused on endometriosis.[34] She founded the Congressional Endometriosis Caucus.[35]

Finkenauer is [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic).[36]

## See also

- [Women in the United States House of Representatives](/source/Women_in_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives)

## References

1. ["Abby Finkenauer"](https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/directory/abby-finkenauer/). [Iowa State University](/source/Iowa_State_University). Retrieved October 18, 2018.

1. ["Iowa's 1st Congressional District"](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/iowas-1st-congressional-district-young-democrat-takes-aim/story?id=56944814). ABC News. Retrieved October 10, 2018.

1. ["The Iowa Legislature: Legislators: Abby Finkenauer"](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator/legislatorAllYears?personID=14811). [Iowa General Assembly](/source/Iowa_General_Assembly). Retrieved October 8, 2018.

1. Godfrey, Elaine (July 29, 2018). ["The Fight for Iowa's White Working-Class Soul"](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/07/abby-finkenauer-iowa/566159/). *[The Atlantic](/source/The_Atlantic)*

1. Barton, Thomas J. (October 18, 2014). ["Iowa House District 99: Age belies Finkenauer's real political experience"](http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/dubuque/article_e3830134-52bf-5ef0-af7b-0575904c36db.html). *Telegraph Herald*. Retrieved July 30, 2018.

1. ["The Voter's Self Defense System"](https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/151127/abby-finkenauer). *Vote Smart*. Retrieved November 24, 2018.

1. Jacobson, Ben. ["Finkenauer wins House primary"](http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_6e7bddc0-6eae-5ed4-9ff0-41774012cf42.html). Retrieved December 20, 2018.

1. Reber, Craig D. ["Democrat Finkenauer defeats Dlouhy"](http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/tri-state/article_9ff276c2-adff-57a7-8ef7-ee2eff98dc59.html). *Telegraph Herald*. Retrieved December 20, 2018.

1. ["Iowa Secretary of State 2014 General Election Canvass Summary"](https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2014/general/canvsummary.pdf). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150318114738/https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/2014/general/canvsummary.pdf) March 18, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 6, 2019.

1. Barton, Thomas J. (May 3, 2017). ["Exclusive: Iowa Rep. Finkenauer to challenge Blum for U.S. House seat in 2018"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170706091107/http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/politics/article_dedd191e-8a61-5321-b430-ff3af5cec480.html). *Telegraph Herald*. Archived from [the original](http://www.telegraphherald.com/news/politics/article_dedd191e-8a61-5321-b430-ff3af5cec480.html) on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2018.

1. Christinia Crippes (May 3, 2017). ["Finkenauer seeks 1st District seat"](http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/finkenauer-seeks-st-district-seat/article_6940f76e-507d-5135-b3bb-9376653d27f1.html). *The Courier*. Retrieved May 5, 2017.

1. Almukhtar, Sarah (June 5, 2018). ["Iowa Primary Election Results"](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/05/us/elections/results-iowa-primary-elections.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved November 28, 2018.

1. ["Iowa's 1st Congressional District election, 2018 – Ballotpedia"](https://ballotpedia.org/Iowa's_1st_Congressional_District_election,_2018). *Ballotpedia*. Retrieved September 28, 2018.

1. Lynch, James Q. (October 1, 2018). ["Obama endorses Hubbell, Finkenauer"](https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/barack-obama-endorsements-iowa-fred-hubbell-governor-abby-finkenauer-congress-20181001). *[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Cedar_Rapids))*

1. ["Iowa Election Results: First House District"](https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/iowa-house-district-1). *The New York Times*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved December 20, 2018.

1. ["Election Night Reporting"](https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/IA/91323/Web02-state.222648/#/). *results.enr.clarityelections.com*. Retrieved December 20, 2018.

1. ["Republican Ashley Hinson unseats U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer in Iowa's 1st District"](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2020/11/02/iowa-election-results-1st-district-house-abby-finkenauer-ashley-hinson/3711059001/). *[The Des Moines Register](/source/The_Des_Moines_Register)*

1. ["This Iowan could become the youngest woman in Congress. But first, she has to beat incumbent Rod Blum."](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/07/abby-finkenauer-youngest-woman-congress-iowa-rod-blum-democrats-republicans-house-1st-district/679265002/). *The Des Moines Register*. Retrieved September 28, 2018.

1. Lynch, James Q. (June 27, 2018). ["Even if she wins, Finkenauer may not be youngest congresswoman"](https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/even-if-she-wins-abby-finkenauer-may-not-be-youngest-congresswoman-us-district-1-20180627). *[The Gazette](/source/The_Gazette_(Cedar_Rapids))*

1. ["A List Of Firsts For Women In This Year's Midterm Elections"](https://www.npr.org/2018/11/06/664951794/a-list-of-firsts-for-women-in-this-years-midterm-elections). NPR. Retrieved November 8, 2018.

1. Merelli, Annalisa (November 7, 2018). ["Meet the other 29-year-old woman elected to Congress"](https://qz.com/1454242/midterm-elections-2018-abby-finkenauer-wins-in-iowa/). *Quartz* ... though she will be 30 by the time she is inaugurated

1. ["Rep. Finkenauer given leadership role with Democrats in Congress"](https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/Rep-Finkenauer-given-leadership-role-with-Democrats-in-Congress-506783421.html). March 6, 2019.

1. ["House Approves Push by Finkenauer and Endometriosis Caucus to Double Research Funding"](https://gonzalez-colon.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-approves-push-finkenauer-and-endometriosis-caucus-double-research-funding#:~:text=Finkenauer%20announced%20the%20formation%20of,U.S.%20during%20their%20childbearing%20years.). *Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón*. July 30, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2022.

1. Quinn Scanlan (July 22, 2021). ["Former Rep. Abby Finkenauer announces run for GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley's Iowa seat"](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep-abby-finkenauer-announces-run-senate-iowa/story?id=78990494). ABC News. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

1. Gruber-Miller, Stephen (April 11, 2022). ["Abby Finkenauer can't appear on Democratic primary ballot, Iowa judge rules"](https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/10/abby-finkenauer-iowa-primary-election-us-senate-judge-ruling/9496898002/). *[Des Moines Register](/source/Des_Moines_Register)*. [Archived](https://eu.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/10/abby-finkenauer-iowa-primary-election-us-senate-judge-ruling/9496898002?id=78990494) April 11, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 11, 2022.

1. Merica, Dan & Bradner, Eric (April 15, 2022). ["Iowa Supreme Court rules Democratic Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer qualifies for primary ballot"](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/politics/abby-finkenauer-primary-ballot/index.html). CNN. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. ["Michael Franken to challenge Chuck Grassley in November 2022 election"](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/07/iowa-election-results-democrat-running-against-chuck-grassley-november/7488982001/). Desmoinesregister.com. June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022.

1. Pfannenstiel, Brianne (June 7, 2022). ["Mike Franken wins Democratic US Senate primary; to take on Chuck Grassley in November"](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/07/mike-franken-iowa-senate-democratic-primary-election-results-face-chuck-grassley/9909974002/). *The Des Moines Register*. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

1. Blinken, Antony J. (December 1, 2022). ["Appointment of Abby Finkenauer as Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues"](https://www.state.gov/appointment-of-abby-finkenauer-as-special-envoy-for-global-youth-issues/). *United States Department of State*

1. Looker, Rachel (September 1, 2023). ["A State Department office gives young people a voice. Abby Finkenauer leads the effort."](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/31/abby-finkenauer-global-youth-issues-biden/70504457007/?gnt-cfr=1). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. Retrieved April 29, 2024.

1. ["Iowa Congresswoman Engaged to Marry Presidential Candidate's Staffer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191123005456/https://whotv.com/2019/10/20/iowa-congresswoman-engaged-to-marry-presidential-candidates-staffer/). *whotv.com*. October 20, 2019. Archived from [the original](https://whotv.com/2019/10/20/iowa-congresswoman-engaged-to-marry-presidential-candidates-staffer/) on November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019.

1. ["Rep. Abby Finkenauer married on Saturday in private ceremony"](https://kwwl.com/2020/08/09/rep-abby-finkenauer-married-on-saturday-in-private-ceremony/). KWWL. August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.

1. Longman, Molly. ["Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer: Why I Fought To Double Endometriosis Funding"](https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/08/9943075/abby-finkenauer-endometriosis). *www.refinery29.com*. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

1. ["Introducing the House Endometriosis Caucus - March 5, 2020"](https://awpc.cattcenter.iastate.edu/2020/08/01/introducing-the-house-endometriosis-caucus-march-5-2020/). *Archives of Women's Political Communication*. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

1. ["Religious affiliation of members of 116th Congress"](https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/01/Detailed-tables-NUMBER-CHECK-COMPLETE-1-3.pdf). *[Pew Research Center](/source/Pew_Research_Center)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031516/https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2019/01/Detailed-tables-NUMBER-CHECK-COMPLETE-1-3.pdf) 2023-03-26 at the Wayback Machine.

## External links

- [Campaign site](https://abbyfinkenauer.com/)
- [Member profile](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=86&personID=14811) at the [Iowa General Assembly](/source/Iowa_General_Assembly)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Abby Finkenauer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Finkenauer) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Finkenauer?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.