Continuing with our coverage of new Members of Congress, this week we profile new Members from Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii and Iowa.
Beginning in Colorado, Democrat Joseph Neguse won election in the state's Second Congressional District, replacing Rep. Jared Polis, who successfully ran for governor. Neguse was previously elected to the Regents of the University of Colorado, and advocated during his campaign for increasing federal Title II funding for teacher training. Also in Colorado, Democrat Jason Crow defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Coffman in the state's Sixth Congressional District. Crow, an attorney by trade, advocated during his campaign for supporting "apprenticeship and training programs to fill much-needed gaps in skilled laborers," and for investing in "community colleges and technical training programs for tomorrow's workforce."
In Connecticut, Democrat Jahana Hayes won election to replace retiring Rep. Elizabeth Esty in the Fifth Congressional District. Hayes is a history teacher who was recognized in 2016 by the National Education Association as its teacher of the year. Hayes is a product of Naugatuck Valley Community College, having first earned her associate's degree there. On her website, Hayes touts the value of public education and pledges to improve "teacher training, support and resources." She also notes that "career readiness and training is necessary to adapt to our changing economy and should be readily available to all students."
In Florida, three new representatives, and one new senator, were elected. In the House, Republican Gregory Steube is replacing Rep. Tom Rooney in the Seventeenth Congressional District, who did not seek re-election. Steube is a veteran who previously served in both the Florida House and Senate. In the Twenty-sixth Congressional District, Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell defeated Republican incumbent Rep. Carlos Curbelo. Mucarsel-Powell is a college administrator, having served in various roles at Florida International University. She advocated for free community college during the campaign.
Lastly, Democrat Donna Shalala will replace Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who announced she would not seek re-election. Shalala served as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Clinton Administration, and is the former Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin and President of the University of Miami. Early in her career, after first graduating from college, she served in the Peace Corps, where she helped construct an agricultural college abroad. During her campaign, Shalala stated that "students should be able to attend public and community colleges without taking on student debt."
Florida also elected a new senator, as Republican Gov. Rick Scott defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. Scott a businessman and two-term governor, has an extensive record in education. Scott is perhaps best known for expanding school choice programs in the state, boosting charter and virtual schools. On the CTE front, as governor, Scott issued proclamations supporting CTE Month and proposed additional grant funding for technical colleges and CTE centers.
In Georgia, Democrat Lucy McBath defeated Republican incumbent Rep. Karen Handel in the state's Sixth Congressional District. McBath, a flight attendant, was driven to run after her son fell victim to gun violence. As part of her commitment to service following her son's death, she started a foundation that provides educational assistance to high school students pursuing "traditional and vocational" schools. She also pledges on her website to "fully fund K-12 public education, and to make community colleges, public universities, and vocational schools more affordable."
In Hawaii, Democrat Ed Case will replace Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who unsuccessfully ran for governor. Case previously served in the U.S. House from 2002-2007, and prior to that served as majority leader in the state legislature. His education platform centered on making higher education more affordable, and improving veterans' and Native Hawaiians' access to education.
In Iowa, Abby Finkenauer defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Rod Blum in the state's First Congressional District. Finkenauer currently serves in the state legislature and is the daughter of a welder and public school employee. Finkenauer has a section of her website dedicated to CTE, where she notes its importance for all students, including adults seeking new careers. She pledges to support CTE funding, and emphasizes the importance of partnerships between industry and education, to ensure access to "internships, job training opportunities, and apprenticeship programs." Also in Iowa, Democrat Cindy Axne defeated Republican Rep. David Young in the state's Third Congressional District. Axne touts her efforts to secure full-day kindergarten in West Des Moines public schools, and supports promoting STEM programs "that enable students to graduate with the skills they need to be successful in todays' workforce." She also to "fight for a greater investment in our community colleges and grow apprenticeship programs and trade schools."
ACTE's profile of new Members of Congress will continue next week. 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!