Maria Cantwell

Maria Cantwell is the junior Senator from Washington. A Democrat, she was first elected to the post in 2000. She won re-election in 2006. Cantwell was a featured speaker at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver.

1. Born: October 13, 1958 in Indianapolis, Indiana
2. Party: Democratic
3. Assumed Office: January 3, 2001
4. College: Miami University
5. Marital Status: Single
6. Campaign Slogan: "Your voice for a change"
7. One of the first women to defeat elected incumbent senator

Cantwell was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and only moved to Washington in 1983, while campaigning for Alan Cranston in his unsuccessful 1984 bid for the Democratic Presidential nomination. In 1986, at the age of 28, Cantwell was elected to the Washington House of Representatives. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, but failed to win re-election in 1994.

In 2000, Cantwell ran for the Senate seat held by three-term incumbent Slade Gorton. In an extremely close election, Cantwell defeated Gorton by fewer than 2,500 votes. She won her campaign for re-election in 2006 in a landslide. In 2002, she voted to approve the joint resolution providing the President with the authorization to use force against Saddam Hussein.

The following is an excerpt from the prepared transcript of Cantwell's speech at the 2008 Democratic Nation Convention.

• "I'm fortunate to represent one of the most pristine and high-tech states in the nation. We know it's time for a president who will make energy independence America's top priority. After eight years of skyrocketing gas prices, eight years of families spending more and more of their paychecks at the pump, and eight years of two former oil men catering to big oil's agenda, it's time for a new energy day in America."StreetInsider.com: Democratic Convention Remarks by Maria Cantwell (August 26, 2008)

• Official Site:
  • "Cantwell Statement Honoring Veterans Day" (November 9, 2007)
  • "Cantwell Helps Solve Train Border Crossing Delays..." (October 30, 2007)
  • "Cantwell and Cops Join Forces to Stop President's...Veto..." (October 20, 2007)
  • "Cantwell Applauds Passage of Hate Crime Prevention Act" (September 27, 2007)
  • "...Statement on Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker..." (September 11, 2007)**"Cantwell Statement on the Anniversary of September 11" (September 11, 2007)
  • "Coast Guard Bill Unanimously Passes Commerce Committee" (August 3, 2007)