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Who is Amy Klobuchar?

Get to know the 2020 presidential candidate.

Sen. Amy Jean Klobuchar

Born: May 25, 1960

Birthplace:  Plymouth, Minnesota

Age on Inauguration Day: 60

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: https://amyklobuchar.com/

Education: Yale University (Bachelor’s degree in political science – magna cum laude); University of Chicago Law School (Juris Doctor)

Professions: Attorney

Public office: Hennepin County attorney; U.S. Senator from Minnesota since 2007.

Personal: Klobuchar and her husband, John Bessler, have one child.

Life and career:

  • Last name is pronounced KLOW-buh-shar.
  • Senior thesis at Yale was turned into a book. "Uncovering the Dome" looked at the politics of building the Metrodome in Minneapolis, which served as the home of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings for decades.
  • Ran for Senate on Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party ticket, which is the official name of the Democratic party in Minnesota.
  • Has shown willingness to work with Republicans during her time in the Senate. In the 114th Congress (2015-2016), she finished with the most sponsored or co-sponsored bills signed into law – 27 in total.
  • Klobuchar, who has supported abortion rights, came under fire in 2015 after a bill she co-authored to prevent girls from being sold into sex slavery ended up with an anti-abortion provision added. Politico reported the provision had somehow been overlooked until it reached the Senate floor. It forced Democrats to vote down their own bill until a new deal was reached with Republicans.

Sources: Congress.gov; Britannica.com; Washington Post; Northwestern University

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