Joan Fitz-Gerald

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joan Fitz-Gerald
Image:Sen16.jpg
Member of the Colorado State Senate from the 16th district
In office 2001 – November 14, 2007
Preceded by	John Andrews
Succeeded by	Dan Gibbs
Born	June 2, 1948 (1948-06-02) (age 60) New York City, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	John

Joan Fitz-Gerald was recently a Democratic member of the Colorado Senate, representing the 16th District since 2001. She served as President of the Senate, the first woman to hold that office.

Fitz-Gerald is a former chair of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, with state-house Democrats picking up seats across the nation under her chairmanship.

Born in New York City, New York, Joan graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in History and later attended Fordham Law School where she met her husband. The Fitz-Geralds moved to Colorado in 1977.

Until November 2007, Fitz-Gerald represented the 16th Legislative District in the Colorado State Senate. She represented 7 counties in the Legislature: Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson and Summit. She was the chair of, and served on, the Executive Committee of Legislative Council, Legislative Council, and Senate Services. She also served on the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.

Before serving in the State Senate, Fitz-Gerald was a county clerk. She was the first woman ever elected as Jefferson County clerk and recorder, where she pioneered the use of mail ballots.

She is married to John Fitz-Gerald. The couple has two adult sons.

Fitz-Gerald was considered to be one of several possible Democratic candidates for Governor of Colorado in 2006, but chose not to run. On April 18, 2007 she announced that she will be running for U.S. Congress, representing the 2nd Congressional District being vacated by Mark Udall, who is running for Senate. On August 2,2007 Emily's List endorsed her.

In November 2007, Fitz-Gerald announced her retirement from the Colorado Senate to campaign full-time for the U.S. House. Sen. Peter Groff was elected to succeed her as Senate President, and Rep. Dan Gibbs was appointed to fill the senate vacancy left by her resignation.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Joan Fitz-Gerald official campaign website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Joan Fitz-Gerald (CO) profile
• Follow the Money - Joan Fitz-Gerald
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 campaign contributions
• SourceWatch Congresspedia - Joan Fitz-Gerald profile