Freeform election game

[GoTfan]

This game starts in 2023, set in the last year of President Elizabeth Warren's administration. Warren has said that she will not run for re-election, and Vice President Sherrod Brown has said that he will not run.

We can use two types of people: Journalists and politicians.

Journalists will be the means of communication in the game. Politicians will send announcements to them, and they can then offer commentary on the announcement if they wish to do so. Journalists can be ex-politicians, but they must have a reason for leaving politics, as well as detailing the offices they held. In addition, make sure to list if they are affiliated with a party and what outlet they work for.

Politicians are the headline characters of the game. They can run campaigns, pass legislation and so on. The size of a politician's victory in an election will determine just how seriously they're taken and whether their respective National Committee will send them support. List all previous offices that they have held as well as their current one. They cannot be members of the Warren cabinet or the party leadership (to start with; this will change).

Couple of standard things
-Make sure you give the name, age, family and a biography for your character
-Be interesting with your character's rise! An unusual rise to the top makes for a more interesting game
-Everyone has skeletons in their closet. Each character must PM one or two to me.
-From time to time, anonymous sources (read: me) will contact journalists with information. They can choose to run with it and risk their reputation, or play it safe and ignore it.
-Each turn will last a week, and span 1 in-game month.

Sign-ups will last until this time next week.

We can continue the game as long as there is interest.

Democrats:

Sen. Emily Peebleton (D-North Carolina)
Sen. Henry Anderson (D-Utah)
Rep. Priti Sharma (D-Idaho)
Sen. Andrew Greenfield (D-Maine)

Republicans:

Gov. Daniel Gomez (R-New Mexico)
Sen. Richard Cole (R-Maine)
Gov. Randy Jennings (R-Florida)

Progressives:

Sen. Carson Palmer (P-Arizona)

Conservative:

Rep. John Smith (C-Texas)


Independents

Lachlan Duggan (Journalist-Pennsylvania)

[Jaguar4life]

My player's profile

Name:Carson Palmer
Age:42
Party:Progessive
Occupation:Former football player and Arizona senator since 2019

Family:Two daughters Ellie and Alana and a son name Fletch

Political bio:After retiring from football in 2018. Palmer decided to find a new career into politics.

His political views changed through his football career. A once Obama and Clinton supporting centrist he after the 2016 election and President Trump decided to explore being a progessive populist which has stuck to him ever since.

Palmer ran as a "Justice Democrat" in the Summer of 2019 special election to replace the late Senator John McCain.

In one of his biggest victories in the senate in 2020 Senator Palmer proposed a bipartisan bill to deregulate regulations on solar and wind power. After big accomplishment was to pass the Fight for 15$ mimmium wage bill back in 2021.

In which he won handily in what is considered to be part of the progessive wave of 2020.

Palmer was a big supporter of President Warren at first however his views soured when Warren seem no different than Hillary Clinton and believed that she had betrayed progressives.

In 2022 he switched to the newly founded Progessive Party along with Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the first two sitting people in congress to become members of the party.

Palmer is running on a progessive populist campaign to bring the power back to the people.

He is eyeing Wall Street reform, Single Payer healthcare, Stopping the military industrial complex and a crackdown on money in politics and of course a 20$ minimum wage in his campaign for presidency.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

ISOTing the 2048 me back 20 years and stealing Jeff Jackson's career because I'm lazy.

Name: Emily Peebleton (D-NC)

Born: June 20, 1981 (age 43)

Ideology: A Sherrod Brown type

Family:
Betty Brown (wife, m. January 7, 2006, b. July 12, 1976 (age 48))
Alison Peebleton-Brown (daughter, b. October 31, 2006 (age 18))
Sam Peebleton-Brown (son, b. October 31, 2006 (age 18))

Offices:
Class 2 Senator from North Carolina: 2021 - present
State Senator from NC-37: 2014 - 2021

Biography:
Emily Charlotte Peebleton was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on June 20, 1981. The daughter of a store manager and a warehouse worker, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at the age of 12. In August 1999, shortly after her 18th birthday and graduation from high school, Peebleton came out as transgender and began transitioning.

In September of that year, Peebleton attended UNC Charlotte and began working on Mike Easley's gubernatorial campaign. On Easley's campaign is where Peebleton would meet Betty Brown, who she would marry at Niagara Falls in January 2006, shortly after the couple decided to have children, who would be named Sam and Alison on Halloween of that year. Becoming notable among the North Carolina Democratic Party, and especially among Mecklenburg Democrats, Peebleton drew positive comparisons to the late Mo Udall.

Following the appointment of Dan Clodfelter as Mayor of Charlotte in April 2014, Mecklenburg Democrats selected the 32-year-old Peebleton to replace him, making her the first openly transgender state legislator. Peebleton also gained national attention in February 2015 when she was the only legislator to show up on a snow day. News outlets briefly considered Peebleton a potential candidate against Senator Richard Burr or even Governor Pat McCrory should Attorney General Roy Cooper not run, but she declined in favor of running for a second full term in the State Senate, which she won with ease.

In 2020, Peebleton did run for Senate, and, as then-Senator Warren narrowly carried the state, so did she, becoming the first trans woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. Although Peebleton has remained supportive of President Warren despite her shift to the center in office, she intends to run to the left of the President's track record, in an attempt to mollify Progressives and keep the left united. Although Peebleton is also running as a staunch small-p progressive, her views are somewhat more pragmatic than those of fellow small-p progressive Palmer.

EDIT: Changed a few things.

[SamTilden2020]

Name: Daniel Gomez (R-NM)

Born: July 12 1975 (48 Years Old)

Ideology:
A Combination of Ron Paul and Marco Rubio

Family:
Angelica Gomez (Wife, First Lady of New Mexico), 47 Years Old
Enrique Gomez (Son), 14 Years Old
Delfina Gomez (Daughter), 11 Years Old

Offices:
Member of the Albuquerque City Council (ABQ-6): 2009-2013
Representative from New Mexico's First Congressional District (Southern ABQ+ABQ 'Burbs): 2013-2019
Governor of New Mexico: 2019-Present

While NM has been on the Leftward Slope as of late, Congressman Gomez appears to nevertheless be strong. As Homecoming King at South ABQ High, and a Summa Cume Laude GPAer at NMSU, he has lived a very successful life. Winning a seat in an upset on the ABQ council in the 2009 Special Election, he has been on every Republican recruiter's mindset. As GOP Recruiter Randy L. Patrick once said, "Our competitiveness in the land of enchantment depends on one name being on the ballot; Gomez."

While he may keep the southwest in play for the GOP, he is barely known outside of the Southwest.

Excerpt from 538, "Gomez keeps NM Dems in check":

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[President of the great nation of 🏳️‍⚧️]

PoD must be pretty early (NM-04 being a thing in 2015, as well as someone born in 1999 being able to be elected Congressman/Governor/President in 2014/2018/2024), eh, Sam?

[GoTfan]

Some more Democrats woild be nice.

[FairBol]

OK, I think I'll partake. 

Name: Gov. Randy Jennings (R-FL)

Politician

Born: August 9, 1972 (51 years old)

Ideology: Conservative Freedom Fighter

Offices:
Member, Tampa City Council (2001-2007)
President, Tampa City Council (2005-2007)
Mayor, City of Tampa (2007-2013)
Governor, State of Florida (2014-2022)

Biography is forthcoming. 

[wxtransit]

Rep. John Smith (Conservative - TX)

Born: 1983 (age: 37)
Ideology: Conservative Populism

Family:
Wife (Janet Smith) and three kids (Jane, James, and Joshua Smith)

Offices held:
Member of Dallas City Council (2009-2013)
Texas State Representative (2014-2018)
U.S. Representative (2018-present)

John started into politics very early, as he began as a volunteer for a local Republican office during the 2006 mid-term campaign, during his high school years. He made connections during his time there, and in fact he became friends with a local member of the Dallas City Council. Over the next few years, he gradually moved up until he became Chief of Staff for the member in 2008. However, the member soon wanted to retire from politics as he was up in age. He saw in John great potential, and selected him to be his successor. John soon even surprised his closest friends in his ability to debate bills and get them passed, and he became a bit of a well-known figure quite quickly. In fact, his rise was so quick that there were many local newspaper headlines declaring, "John Who?" He was even considered a front runner for the position for Mayor, and local officials even drafted him to do so, however he declined. John wanted to somewhere new: Austin.

In the city council, all of the members were non-partisan. However, in his campaign for state representative, he had to choose a party. He found most of his views aligned with Republicans, so he ran under a Republican banner. Most analysts concluded that the district John would run in in Central Dallas would not be competitive and that it was safe Democratic. However, John's grassroots campaign style and appeal to moderates while staying to his conservative views helped him, and he narrowly won (50.4% to the Democrat's 48.6%, with write-ins) a district with a PVI of D+9. This confounded even his campaign strategists, and his pickup in the Texas House gave the Republicans exactly 2/3 of the seats. Similar to his time in the Dallas City Council, he became well-known in the state as a member from his many debates on positions he held dear, and yet he would also get many bills passed. He was re-elected in 2016 by a larger margin than 2014, with 59% of the vote.

However, a turning point in his career came in 2017. A bill was being proposed that would render all efforts to build a new high-speed rail line between Dallas and Houston illegal. The Republican caucus told its members to vote for the bill, however, John felt that the bill was unnecessary and that the only reason the bill was proposed was for highway and airline special interests. The whip threatened to expel him if he voted against the bill, and yet, John felt resolve in his decision to vote against the whip. He was soon expelled from the Republican caucus, but instead of sitting as an independent, he founded the new Conservative Party. Ten other members from the Republican Party joined the fledgling movement, later known as the Conservative Eleven, and the bill failed 76-74, along with other Republican members voting against the bill. He became nationally known for this, and became the voice for those who felt disenfranchised from the two main parties. He was thought to have been pondering a run for the U.S. Senate seat from Texas, however, he instead ran for the U.S. House in a district almost exactly the same to his State House district under the label his new Conservative Party.

He was elected on a slim margin over a popular Republican incumbent (39.1% - 37.3% - 23.6%), and became the first third-party Representative in the House since the 1970s. Of particular note was the fact that while 2018 was the year that Democrats made significant gains, he still won as a conservative in a district that was arguably moderate (the former Republican representative was elected back in a time when the district was more conservative, and the constituents never felt the need to vote him out until 2018). The Democrats, in fact, made 23 pickups, and the Republicans lost 24 seats. He held the balance of power in the unlikeliest of scenarios. Instead of caucusing with either party, he decided to vote on a case-by-case basis and not support a speaker in the House. There was still a Republican speaker elected, but it was with the support of a conservative Democrat. John has since became a national figure in politics.

[GoTfan]

I cannot allow any more sign-ups until we get a few Democrats.

[Lachi]

Is signing up as a non-affiliated Journalist fine?

[GoTfan]

Is signing up as a non-affiliated Journalist fine?

Of course

[Lachi]

Name: Lachlan Duggan (N/A-PA)

Born: October 5, 1982 (age 41)

Family: Lives alone, but currently in a relationship.

Ideology: Moderate progressive

Previous office: Philadelphia City Councillor (Progressive independent, 2006-2010)

Will do bio soon.

[SamTilden2020]

PoD must be pretty early (NM-04 being a thing in 2015, as well as someone born in 1999 being able to be elected Congressman/Governor/President in 2014/2018/2024), eh, Sam?

Like you, I copied from the previous game, and I set my terms back 24 years (Forgot to fix my age and move to NM-1)

[GoTfan]

With Peebs' permission, I am changing her character to Democrat. Cactus says he'll join us soon as well as a Dem, so as soon as we have his character, we can start.

[Cactus Jack]

Many thanks to GoTfan for the invitation and to Yankee for the basic profile. Going with a character actually not much like me, to my own great surprise.

Henry Lowell Anderson (D)

Born: October 18, 1963 (aged 59)

Politician
Moderate Populist Democrat

Family:

Julie M. Anderson (née Chiang) - Wife, aged 57; m. 1989
Charlotte Anderson - Daughter, aged 33
Owen Anderson - Son, aged 30
Noah Anderson - Son, aged 25

Offices held:
Salt Lake City Councilman (2001-2005)
Division Director, Utah Department of Housing and Community Development (2005-2009)
Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (2009-2011)
Mayor of Salt Lake City (2012-2019)
United States Senator for Utah (2019-present)



Life turns on a dime. In politics, though, it sometimes turns on a penny.

Born to veteran-turned-lawyer and Salt Lake City consumer advocate George Howard (1937-2000) and office typesetter Mary Elizabeth Anderson (née Tanner; 1942-), the eldest of no fewer than six children, Henry Lowell Anderson had an earlier start into politics than most of his peers, mostly thanks to George Anderson's activism in the once-powerful Utah Democratic Party. Largely following in his the elder Anderson's mold, Henry Lowell jumped into consumer advocacy almost immediately upon finishing his own stint at Brigham Young University Law School, first partnering with his father and then opening his own firm. It was around this same point that up-and-coming attorney Henry Lowell Anderson, ink still drying on his Juris Doctor, met and married fellow up-and-coming attorney Julie May Chiang, with whom he would go on to raise three children.

Though his political conscience developed much earlier, Anderson's career as an officeholder really began at the turn of the millennium, not long after the death of his father to pancreatic cancer. Amidst miscellaneous electoral chaos in the nation at large, the 2000 election saw Anderson win his first term to the council of his native Salt Lake City, a performance that he would subsequently repeat during the 2002 midterms. From there, Anderson would go on to serve a term as Director of Housing and Community Development under the relatively moderate Jon Huntsman, followed by a stint in Barack Obama's HUD Department. In both of these capacities, Anderson made a name for himself as a stalwart advocate for the right of the average American to affordable, quality housing. Taking what would prove to be a surprisingly brief leave from federal politics, Henry Lowell Anderson returned to Utah in 2011, winning two terms as mayor of his home city and eventually assisting in the rollout of Utah's flagship Housing First program, targeted at reducing and eventually eliminating state homelessness. By all accounts, Anderson's seven-year stint as mayor was a good one, marked by economic prosperity and confidence and relative social tolerance, particularly by the standards of Utah.

Yes, by all accounts, Salt Lake was happy. So, too, was its mayor, perfectly content with making this particular job his very last political calling.

But as happens so often, whatever lunatic providence driving the span of years between 2016 and 2018 saw fit to flip the American political system right on its head. In the race to succeed Barack Obama, real estate tycoon Donald Trump scored an upset victory for the ages against State Secretary Hillary Clinton. In the Midwest, ancestrally Democratic strongholds such as Pennsylvania and Michigan flipped to the Republicans for the first time in two decades. In Arizona and Georgia, Hillary Clinton ran virtually even with Trump all the way up until election day.

And in Utah, the new president-elect came unprecedentedly close to squandering away six electoral votes to independent CIA operative Evan McMullin, perhaps one of the most bizarre results of a night defined by them.

Time passed. Trump stumbled, then finally spiralled into a political freefall of steadily-worsening approval ratings. And in Utah, Orrin Hatch made the inexplicable decision to run for an unprecedented eighth term in spite of his own catastrophic approvals among Utah voters. Sensing an opportunity to bolster the state party's political relevancy (after all, even factoring in Utah's frank loathing of Orrin Hatch, a win would be virtually impossible; no, they figured, 2018's real political morsel would most likely be the congressional seat of the beknighted, perpetually-embattled Mia Love), Democratic operatives called upon their most reliable weapon in the state of Utah.

And as what would prove to be Orrin Hatch's final reelection campaign slowly disappeared beneath a mountain of primary challengers, Mayor Henry Lowell Anderson answered the call, stepping into federal politics for what he was sure would be the final time.

Yes, and that was the truth of it: he was sure. Whether it was against Orrin Hatch, Chris Herrod, or whoever else squeezed out of the Republican primary, Anderson knew his chances were, even when taken favorably, at least approaching zero. He was no Doug Jones, and his opponents (dodgy though some of them certainly were) were hardly Roy Moore. He would do his duty as a party man, no more and no less.

And then - by grace of God, by ineptitude of Herrod, and most crucially by write-in obstinance of Hatch - he won. For the first time since the days of Frank Moss, a Democrat had won a Senate seat in Utah.

Henry Lowell Anderson (D): 41.27%
Chris Herrod (R): 36.11%
Orrin Hatch (WI): 14.98%
Scott Bradley (C): 6.01%

In 2018, lunatic providence struck again, and this time its beneficiary was a low-key, unassuming Mormon family man (not quite a Jack Mormon, Anderson had always thought; maybe more of a John Mormon) from the Beehive State.

Life turns on a dime. Sometimes, it even sends us to the Senate.

[GoTfan]

Okay, let's get started.

January 1st-14th, 2023

Today, President Warren declared the end of her long legislative battle to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act, even if it still has a hurdle to climb, namely, the US Senate.

Warren launched her campaign to reinstate the Act as soon as she entered office in 2021, and ran into hurdles almost straight away. After narrowly passing the House by just 3 votes, Warren is confident that she will receive backing of the Democrats in the Senate, with North Carolina Senator Emily Peebleton rumoured to be selected by Warren as the "floor manager" for the bill.

The bil has met with severe opposition from both Republicans, and even the newly formed Conservative Party, whose sole Congressman, John Smith of Texas, has said that the passing of such a bill would destroy the economy of the country. Yet, it seems the bill will passed; Senate Minority Leader John Thune is personally leading the opposition to the bill, but Thune, who is rumoured to be fighting a leadership challenge, as well as attempting to head off the potential defection of Maine Senator Richard Cole.

The bill is scheduled for its Senate vote on January 29th

-National Public Radio

Notes:

Senators, use this turn to debate the bill and if the mind takes you, ask your party leaders (IE, me) to bring the vote forward. Beware that this can either be seen as either a masterstroke or death sentence if it goes either way.

Governors, inform me if you intend to bring legislation forward this week for a future vote. Make statements regarding the current law in the Senate as well, if you wish.

Journalists, feel free to contact any politician for an interview. From time to time, I will release press statements from the White House to report on.

Representatives, you may choose to use this time to craft legislation and if the mind takes you, look to recruit candidates or declare your candidacy for another office

And for everyone, if you wish to, you are free to declare your candidacy for President at any time. There are no schedules in this game, so use the thread to make statements, send out some Tweets, and detail your adventures this fortnight.

Good luck!

[Jaguar4life]

CNN.COM
January 8th:2023
Senator Palmer on Meet The Press says he will explore run for president in 2024

Progressive senator from Arizona Carson Palmer says he will explore a run for the presidency in 2024 on Sunday's Meet the Press

Palmer has said that he was been dissapointed on President Warren's record and how its a betrayal to progessives.

He quoted by saying "President Warren is just another centrist like Obama or Clinton. Almost 4 years later there are still troops in the middle east. Still no universal healthcare and still no tax rise on the 1%"

He also quoted that she should not take the credit for that the Progessive Party leadership has done since it was launched like the  making the minimum wage 15% or bills or acts protecting solar energy.

Senator Palmer says he supports the bill to bring back Glass Stegall however says that he doesn't think it will get passed and that there are still a few thing missing.

Palmer and senator Rand Paul are expected to introduce a bipartisan bill later this week to proposed a revised Gold Standard.  

[SamTilden2020]

Statement from Governor Gomez of New Mexico:

"With President Warren spearheading the nearly successful effort to reinstate the Glass-Steagall act, I can say with certainty that the state New Mexico remains firmly divided on this issue, despite its passing. As Governor, I cannot support such an outdated and irresponsible act from passing. However, as many residents of the state of New Mexico feel in favor of reform, I will remain committed to launch a sensible solution to their worries. In the New Mexico Senate, a bipartisan bill sponsored by State Senators Rick Ellis and Juan Rodriguez consider various reforms that aren't too extreme, but nevertheless fit the bill for the struggling New Mexican economy, and the public's needs."

Jan 11 2023:Gomez reportedly discusses presidential run with Rio Rancho Mayor Nick Barrett, and wife Angelica in meeting in Rio Rancho Mayor's office.

[GoTfan]

Just to know... What is the current composition of the senate?

52 Democrats (Senate Majority Leader Mark Warner)-47 Republicans (Senate Minority Leader John Thune)-1 Progressive.

[wxtransit]

Statement from Representative John Smith

January 14, 2023

Today, we saw the slim passage of a bill that will cause large economic repercussions by a President who believes that her power will go unchecked. The Glass-Steagall Act, as it is named, will make it much harder for banks to operate as there will be many new restrictions between banks and securities firms. This will make it harder for the economy to recover from the recession, and could help to slow down the growth of our GDP. President Warren believes that this act will help the people, however, she does not realize that this will only hurt our economy, not help it. She believes that she can implement this far-reaching policy with such a small mandate from the House. I implore the Senate to read their version of the bill very carefully, and to vote their conscience. As for the House, I saw the defection of several members of the Democratic caucus to vote against the bill. However, a small number of Republicans defected their caucus and voted for the bill. In this, I believe there lies a major flaw with the Republican caucus. Their party is divided to the point that they cannot keep their own members voting with the caucus. This is where the Conservative Party can help. I urge all representatives advocating the true conservative cause to join this party, and to fight for their values. With a united front, we can help to defeat the unchecked power of the progressive movement. In addition, I also urge those not currently in the House who also want to advocate for the right to join this movement and run in every House seat. Only with a united voice can we provide constructive opposition, and in the future, a government that will work for the people.

###

Jan. 16, 2023

Rep. Smith held a rally to drum up support for the Conservative Party in Dallas. Many supporters pleaded with Smith to run for Senate or the presidency, however, he said "I'll have to wait and see. Right now I need to help advocate for our cause in the place that I can help the most: the House."

[Jaguar4life]

Senator Palmer to  introduce a bipartisan bill to bring back Gold Standard
January 13th 2023

Senator Carson Palmer (P)-Arizona and Senator Rand Paul (R) Kentucky are introducing a bill that will bring back the Gold Standard.

Palmer also sponsored a then bipartisan bill in 2021 to cut regulations on wind and solar power so this isn't the first time the senator has co sponsored a bipartisan bill.

In his statement the senator said that returning to the Gold Standard would reduce the debt and create long term growth and stability and to stop inflation.

He also mention that he will support President Elizabeth Warren's bill to bring back Glass Stegall.

[GoTfan]

White House Press Statement regarding the bill to reintroduce the Gold Standard

The attempt to reintroduce the Gold Standard a monetary policy shows just how out of touch Senators Palmer and Paul are with the American economy. Before the abolition of the Gold Standard, our country veered from one financial panic to the next, never sure if the next year would bring a recession or a boom. Such a system is obsolete in the 21st century, and would only nullify the effect the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall would have on the economy.

It would be my privilege to veto such a measure should it reach my desk.

-Elizabeth Warren, 46th President of the United States of America.

[wxtransit]

Jan. 16, 2023

Representative John Smith (C-Texas) announced today that he will be introducing an infrastructure bill in the House. He said that while "bills in this manner have been proposed before," this bill will be a balance between the Democrats' and Republicans' proposals. Smith said that the Democrats were too liberal on spending for their proposals, but the Republicans were too conservative on any projects they proposed. He called his new bill "the best of both worlds". While proposing worthwhile projects (such as the implementation of a cross-country higher-speed rail network with the ability to convert to high-speed rail in the future), he also noted that the projects would be fiscally responsible. He reminisced, saying that "this bill will go back to the Conservative Party's roots, we were founded on many principles; one of them was the improvement of our infrastructure. Along with the Conservative Eleven this party was founded when there was a proposal that threatened a high-speed rail project, and I should note that that project, between Dallas and Houston, is now weeks from completion, partially due to the Conservatives' efforts to save the project."

[Kamala]

I think it'd be fun for me to have a tiny, minor role. I don't want to run for President, merely exist and engage with this world.

Priti Sharma (D-ID)

Birthday: September 30th, 1993 (age 29)

Ideology: Libertarian Democrat

Family:
Dating Owen Anderson (age 30)

Offices held:
Ada County Sheriff (2013-2019)
United States Representative for Idaho's 1st Congressional District (2019-)


Defying all odds, Priti Sharma, a Democrat and the daughter of immigrants in Idaho, of all places, managed to win some extremely difficult races.

As a teenager, Priti won the olympic gold medal for Women's skeet, rifle three positions, and trap shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, obviously representing USA. She repeated her hat trick feat in 2012 in London, earning a total of six gold medals.

Elected to be the sheriff of Ada County, the most populous county in Idaho and home of Boise, at the ripe old age of 19, while still attending Boise State University, Priti quickly captured the attention of national Democratic leaders. When an opportunity arose in 2018 with the retirement of Rep Raul Labrador to run for Governor, Sharma was encouraged to run for the House. Despite the district having a lean of R+21, Sharma managed to eek out a win thanks to the endorsement of the Libertarian Party, and defeated the former Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, David H. Leroy, thanks to an energetic campaign and capitalizing on her youth, with Leroy being three times as old as Sharma. Sharma won with 49.8% of the vote, compared to Leroy's 49.2%.

Despite being deemed "the most vulnerable Democrat in the House," Sharma turned out to be a master of retail politics, as well as being unafraid to vote against her party on many issues. Sharma won reelection by consecutively larger margins in 2020 and 2022.

She began dating the son of Utah Senator Henry Anderson, Owen, in the summer of 2021.

(Hope this is okay, GoTfan!)

[wxtransit]

What is the current composition of the House?