Continuing with our coverage of new Members of Congress, this week we profile new Members from Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Massachusetts.
In Idaho, Russell Fulcher was elected to replace outgoing Rep. Raúl Labrador in the state's First Congressional District. Fulcher, who had a long career at Micron Technology, previously served in the Idaho legislature. On his website, Fulcher pledges to work on "educating and training our workforce for jobs in growth industry sectors," saying he will remove "excessive federal mandates that act as an obstacle to ensuring Idaho has the most competitive workforce in the world."
In Illinois, Jesús "Chuy" García will replace retiring Rep. Luis Gutiérrez in the state's Fourth Congressional District. García previously served on the Cook County Board of Commissioners and in the Illinois Senate. On his website, he says that "[w]e must connect education and training issues and funding with creating good-paying jobs and jobs in growth industries, especially in green industries." He also advocates for an infrastructure bill that will "provide training/jobs." In the state's Sixth Congressional District, Democrat Sean Casten defeated Republican Rep. Peter Roskam. Casten is a scientist and clean energy entrepreneur. In extensively outlining his education-related positions, Casten wants to increase investments in STEM and cites the thousands of unfilled jobs in high-tech manufacturing as a reason to support "programs enabling trade-path students." Lastly, in Illinois' Fourteenth Congressional District, Democrat Lauren Underwood defeated Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren. Underwood's background is in healthcare policy and has a nursing degree. Her campaign's education platform focused on improving public schools and college affordability, including increasing funding for Pell grants.
In Indiana, Republican businessman and state legislator Mike Braun defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly. Braun's business previously involved manufacturing truck bodies, and now focuses on truck accessories. On the House side, Republican Jim Baird will replace Republican Rep. Todd Rokita, who lost a primary for U.S. Senate, in Indiana's Fourth Congressional District. Baird previously served in local and state government and has his bachelor' degree, master's degree and PhD in animal science. He also previously served on Advisory Council to Purdue's Dean of Agriculture. Lastly, in Indiana's Sixth Congressional District Republican Greg Pence (brother of Vice President Mike Pence) will replace outgoing Republican Rep. Luke Messer. Pence is a businessman and veteran.
In Kansas, Republican Steven Watkins will replace Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins, who chose not to seek re-election in the state's Second Congressional District. Watkins is a veteran and businessman, and pledges to "ensure our workforce has the skills necessary to meet the jobs of tomorrow." In the state's Third Congressional District, Democrat Sharice Davids defeated Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder. Davids will bring the unique perspective of being one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. Davids also graduated from community college prior to earning her law degree.
In Massachusetts, Democrat Lori Trahan will replace retiring Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas in the state's Third Congressional District. Trahan advocates on her website for promoting "early exposure to trade, vocational and apprenticeship programs," saying she supports partnerships between federal, state and local governments to "collaborate to design programs that expose students to more pathways to success at an early age, so they can find the one that works for them." In the state's Seventh Congressional District, Democrat Ayanna Pressley will replace Democratic Rep. Mike Capuano, who Pressley defeated in a primary. Pressley previously served as a member of the Boston City Council. Pressley identifies equity and affordability issues as some of her top education priorities, and touts her work improving the quality of Madison Park Vocational Technical High School during her time on the city council. She also talks extensively on her website about her support for CTE, noting that "[c]reating clear linkages between vocational education and job prospects, and leveraging partnerships with existing workforce authorities and the private sector, is essential to increasing graduation rates from vocational technical high schools and providing relevant skills that will help students ultimately succeed in the job market."
ACTE's profile of new Members of Congress will continue into the New Year. You can find last week's profiles here. And once the new Congress begins, stay tuned for alerts directing you to ACTE's action center to ask Members of Congress (new and returning) to join the CTE Caucus!
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