Ann Wagner

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Ann Wagner bigraphy, stories - American diplomat

Ann Wagner : biography

13 September 1962 –

Ann Louise Wagner (born September 13, 1962) is an American politician who has been the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 2nd congressional district since 2013. Previously, she served as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg from 2005 to 2009. She was also Chair of the Missouri Republican Party for six years, from 1999 until 2005, and Co-chair of the Republican National Committee for four years.

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 election

Wagner announced her candidacy for Missouri’s 2nd congressional district after incumbent Todd Akin announced he would not run for re-election in order to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012. She received endorsements from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, and the pro-life women’s group the Susan B. Anthony List. She won the four-candidate Republican primary field with 66% of the vote.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=732704 In November, she defeated Democrat nominee Glenn Koenen 60%-37%.http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=733945

Committee assignments

  • Committee on Financial Services
    • Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises
    • Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations

Recent events

Congresswoman Wagner recently spoke at a Ripon Society forum and addressed the 2013 IRS scandal and tax reform. Wagner stated that it was the Administration’s lack of oversight and connection to the issue that has caused these problems. [It is] "…a failure of leadership when you have a president who is so disconnected — not from our conference and our party, but from his own Democrat Party and other leadership here on the Hill. This is the trickledown effect of real arrogance here."

Pre-congressional political career

1990s

Wagner entered Republican politics in 1990, heading the GOP’s efforts during the decennial redistricting of Missouri. In 1992 she was state director of the campaign for the re-election of President George H.W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle.

2000s

Chairwoman of Missouri GOP

She was elected to her first term of office as chair of the Missouri party in 1999, becoming the first woman to occupy the position. Her most notable achievement in that role came during her second two-year term when she oversaw the party’s taking of majority control of both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly, winning the Senate in the 2001 special election and the House in the 2002 general election, the first time this had been seen for over 40 years. During her third term, the party held its majorities in both chambers and also took the Governor’s seat for the first time in 12 years with the election of Matt Blunt in 2004. In the 2004 elections the party also secured the majority of Missouri’s Congressional representation and that state’s Presidential electors.

National campaigning

In 2001 she took office as a co-chair of the Republican National Committee, and helped preside over the 2004 Republican National Convention. In this role she took a strong role in directing the development of the Winning Women initiative, whose aim was to improve the image of the GOP towards women and demonstrate the relevance of its platform to them. Her work with the committee took her to 48 states. In January 2005, she left her role as co-chair after one term.

In 2004, Wagner was a fundraising "ranger" for President George W. Bush.

U.S. Ambassadorship

On February 20, 2005, Wagner was elected to a fourth term as Chair of the state GOP. On May 16 she was nominated by President Bush to the position of United States Ambassador to Luxembourg. She had no previous diplomatic experience. On July 16, 2005 she was confirmed in the post by a voice vote in the United States Senate, after which Senator Jim Talent (R-Mo) said that she was, "A considerate woman, whose character and abilities uniquely qualify her to represent our nation."

On August 1 she was sworn in as Ambassador by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Harry S. Truman Building of the US Department of State in Washington D.C..

2010s

2010 U.S. Senate election

After returning from Luxembourg, Wagner served as Chairman for Roy Blunt’s successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign. Blunt defeated Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan 54%-41%.

2011 RNC Chairman election

On November 29, 2010, Wagner sent a video message to the committee members of the Republican National Committee announcing she was running for RNC Chair. The election was held in January 2011, and Wagner conceded after the sixth round after receiving 17 votes The contest was won by Reince Priebus, Chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party.

Personal life

Wagner is married to Ray Wagner, a former Missouri director of revenue, and has three children: Raymond III, Stephen and Mary Ruth. She has been involved with a number of charities in her hometown of St. Louis, including the Foster Care Coalition and the American Red Cross.

Early life and education

Wagner was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, attended the all-girls’ Cor Jesu Academy, and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.