Amy Haas (Presidential Election Game)

{{Infobox officeholder


 * name = Amy Haas


 * image = Wendy davis.jpeg


 * caption =


 * order = {{w|List of Governors of Virginia|72nd}} {{w|Governor of Virginia}}


 * term_start = January 11, 2014


 * predecessor = Bob McDonnell


 * order2 = {{w|United States Senate|United States Senator}} from {{w|Virginia}}


 * term_start2 = January 3, 2007


 * term_end2 = November 8, 2014


 * predecessor2 = {{w|George Allen|George Allen}}


 * successor2 = {{w|Tim Kaine|Tim Kaine}}


 * birth_date = Amy Elizabeth Haas January 28, 1966 (age 50)


 * birth_place = {{w|Raleigh}}, {{w|North Carolinia}}, U.S.


 * party = {{w|Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party}}


 * spouse = Alexander Haas (m.1991–Present)


 * children = Jason Haas {{sup|(b.1992)}} Jacob Haas {{sup|(b.1992)}} Jamie Haas {{sup|(b.1996)}}


 * residence = {{w|Executive Mansion}} (official) Norfolk, Virginia (private)


 * alma mater = yes


 * alma_mater = {{w|Stanford Law School}}


 * profession = {{w|Lawyer}}, {{w|Politician}}


 * religion = {{w|Protestant}}


 * languages_spoken = {{w|English language|English}}, {{w|French language|French}}

Amy Elizabeth Haas (nee Andrews) (born January 28, 1966) is the 72nd Governor of Virginia, and the first woman to ever hold that office. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina to a lower middle-class family, her childhood was often marked by economic insecurity. Her family moved to Norfolk, Virginia when she was 7 years old. She strived for success at every step of the way despite the many barriers presented to her. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full scholarship, receiving dual degrees in Political Science and Economics. She later went to Stanford Law School, where she met her future husband Alexander Haas.

Haas's passion for people and politics led her to a job defending women's and children's rights after receiving her JD from Stanford. She moved back to Norfolk to pursue a career in politics, which began with her successful election to a city council seat in 1994. She oversaw the creation of local scholarships, domestic abuse hotlines, and several city projects designed to both beautify the city and lower its unemployment rate. She made a failed mayoral bid in 1998 against incumbent Mayor Declan Smith, citing his inefficacy and unwillingness to pursue her most ambitious social policies. After serving 8 years on the city council, Haas made a run for Virginia State Senate, her first run as a Democrat (Norfolk runs on a nonpartisan system). She ultimately succeeded in toppling incumbent Republican Senator Martin McGraw, a victory to which some pundits attributed Haas's youth and promising demeanor. Haas gained notoriety in the Senate for her bold stances in favor of women's rights, the environment, and campaign finance reform. Her most famous moment came in 2005 with her 23-hour filibuster of a bill that would have banned abortion past 9 weeks of pregnancy. State media immediately identified her as a rising star and a potential challenger to freshman Senator George Allen in his reelection bid. She announced her long-shot challenge to Senator Allen in November 2005, with most polls indicating that Allen would cruise to reelection. As 2005 drew to a close and Haas gained more media attention, Allen's poll numbers began to erode. In August of 2006, both candidates were polling at 45%,--a dead heat. The day before the election, Haas led Allen by 3 percentage points in most major polls. On Tuesday, November 7th 2006, Amy Haas was elected to the United States Senate by a margin of 52% to Allen's 48%. On January 3, 2007, she was sworn in as Virginia's junior Senator.

In the US Senate, Haas continued to pursue her most salient policies, including women's rights, labor laws, and environmentally friendly policies. She has been frustrated by the gridlock led by Republican members of Congress but has been successful to a certain degree in finding bipartisan agreement. She quickly gained popularity in Virginia and the Senate due to her folksy and kind demeanor. Her youth resonated with voters and gave her a unique role in Virginia politics. George Allen challenged her in a rematch for his Senate seat in 2012, but she defeated him handily--59% to his 41%.

In 2009, she was met with electoral disappointment at home with the election of Republican Bob McDonnell over her preferred candidate Democratic State Attorney General Diane Lawson. She campaigned heavily for Lawson, but after a close race Lawson lost with 49% of the vote. In her speech after Lawson's concession, Haas expressed her disappointment with not being able to see a woman in the Executive Mansion at Richmond but ended the speech with her hope for one to govern Virginia "soon." The media immediately latched onto to the idea of a Haas candidacy for Governor in 2013.

In 2013, the administration of Bob McDonnell was hit with many scandals--including the mismanagement of EPA funds and his own sex scandals. With general voter anger against the Republican governor and the likely nomination of his Lieutenant David Anderson, Haas sensed an opening and began her long-expected campaign for the governorship of Virginia. After announcing her candidacy, Haas consistently led Anderson in most major polls by the high single digits or low double digits. On election day, Haas trounced Anderson 55% to 45%. She resigned her Senate seat on November 8th, 2013 as governor-elect of the state of Virginia. On January 11th, 2014, she was sworn in as Virginia's 72nd governor.

Haas announced for candidacy for President of the United States in 2016. She is running for the Democratic nomination in a crowded primary field that includes several sitting Democratic governors, senators, and even the incumbent Vice President.