Preceded by Mary Jane Odell Children Three children Succeeded by Paul Pate Name Elaine Baxter | Political party Democrat Role Politician Spouse(s) Harry Youngs Baxter Party Iowa Democratic Party | |
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Born January 16, 1933 (age 91) ( 1933-01-16 ) Alma mater University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign Residence Burlington, Iowa, United States | ||
16 Heather Quigley for Elaine Baxter YouTube 720p
Elaine Bland Baxter (born January 16, 1933 Chicago, Illinois) is an American politician and school teacher from Iowa.
Contents
- 16 Heather Quigley for Elaine Baxter YouTube 720p
- Family
- Education
- Political career
- Community involvement
- References
Family
She is the daughter of Clarence Arthur Bland and Margaret Clark Bland. She married Harry Youngs Baxter, in 1954; they have three children, Katherine, Harry and John.
Education
She received her B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Illinois in 1954, a teaching certificate in secondary level Social Studies from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1970 and an M.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Iowa in 1978. She also received graduate training at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
Political career
Baxter was a member of the Iowa House of Representatives' 60th District from 1983 to 1986, and she served two terms as Iowa Secretary of State from 1986 to 1994.
She was also a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa in 1988 and 1992; was a member of the Democratic National Committee from Iowa in 1988; was a candidate for U.S. Representative from Iowa's 3rd congressional district in 1992 and 1994.
Iowa Governor Thomas Vilsack appointed her to the Humanities Iowa board of directors. She joined the Iowa Lottery Board in 2002.
Baxter endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 US Presidential election.
Community involvement
Baxter has been active in civic organizations, including the Burlington planning commission, the Burlington City Council and the Victorian Society of Iowa. She has served on various boards, including the Preservation Action, Washington, D.C. (1980–1984), the Iowa Alliance for Historic Preservation, the Heritage Trust for Preservation of Historic Burlington and the Terrace Hill Society.