 “I ran for Congress to represent the rest of us, the bottom 99% that the Bush Administration has left behind. I am proud to have kept my promise in Washington and I am looking forward to being part of the bigger change that we all know is coming.” As the first woman to ever be elected to a federal office from New Hampshire, Carol Shea-Porter knows what it takes to break down barriers. In 2006, she defied the odds to defeat a longtime, rubber-stamp incumbent and has been fighting for New Hampshire families in the US Congress ever since. It was another hard won success in a lifetime of achievement going back to high school when she ignored her counselor’s advice to “forget about college and try secretarial school."
Growing up in a home with six brothers and sisters, Congresswoman Shea-Porter worked her way through college and earned and MPA from the University of New Hampshire. After college, she moved to Washington D.C. where she worked as a social worker and teacher. She founded and directed a program to provide services to senior citizens, taught Political Science at a local community college and American Politics and History to recently retired federal employees.
With a strong desire to help improve the lives of those around her, Congresswoman Shea-Porter went to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit to serve as a volunteer for a month. There she witnessed first hand the failure of the government to react to those who needed help the most. It was after her time in New Orleans, that she decided to run for Congress. While on the campaign, Representative Porter made a promise to listen to voters and represent the middle-class families of New Hampshire in Washington D.C. Her hard work paid off as she built a massive grassroots organization and accomplished one of the biggest upsets of the 2006 Election Cycle.
Once elected to Congress, she was appointed to serve on the House Committee on Education and Labor where she worked to improve the economic position of New Hampshire’s families by leading the charge to increase the minimum wage, lower the cost of college and protect the rights of workers. Her efforts were rewarded when three new laws were enacted. But the job isn’t done. Representative Shea Porter is pushing to extend unemployment benefits, allow taxpayers to deduct state or local property taxes from their federal income taxes and provide a refundable tax credit of up to $500 for home heating oil expenses.
21st Century Democrats is proud to endorse Congresswoman Carol Shea Porter as she seeks re-election to her seat in Congress. We are confident that she will continue to produce effective legislation and meaningful change in lives of the people of New Hampshire’s 1st district.
Race Facts
Race Type: Democratic Protect
Primary Election Opponents: None
Primary Election Date: September 9, 2008
General Election Opponents: Won
General Election Date: November 4, 2008
General Election Result: Won, 51.8% - 45.9%
|
