Ann Wagner
Encyclopedia
Ann Wagner is an American
politician who served as the United States Ambassador
to the Grand Duchy of 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.
, 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.
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
.
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.
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. On the first day of the 2004 Convention, she gave a speech during which she told the story of Rita Arnaout, a 19-year-old cancer sufferer and road traffic accident survivor who, on being warned of the danger of over-exertion in her condition, told her doctor that the re-election of President George W. Bush
was of greater importance to her and so required her efforts in the Bush/Cheney campaign. Wagner added that Republican activists had much to learn from this story. In January 2005, she left her role as co-chair after one term.
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 US Ambassador
to Luxembourg
. She had no previous diplomatic experience. On 16 July 16 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..
In 2004, Wagner was a fundraising "ranger
" for President George W. Bush.
After returning from Luxembourg, Wagner served as Chairman for Roy Blunt
's successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign
.
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.
after incumbent Todd Akin
announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012.
, including the Foster Care Coalition and the American Red Cross
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who served as the United States Ambassador
Ambassadors from the United States
This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, to past nations, and ambassadors-at-large.Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate...
to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
from 2005 to 2009. She was also Chair of the Missouri Republican Party
Missouri Republican Party
The Missouri Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Missouri. The party Chairman is David Cole, an attorney from Cassville, Missouri who was elected in January 2009.-Current Republican officeholders:...
for six years, from 1999 until 2005, and Co-chair of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
for four years.
Early life and education
Wagner was born and raised in St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, attended the all-girls' Cor Jesu Academy
Cor Jesu Academy
Cor Jesu Academy is a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women located in St. Louis, Missouri. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis.- History :...
, and graduated from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Political career
Wagner entered RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
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
Dan Quayle
James Danforth "Dan" Quayle served as the 44th Vice President of the United States, serving with President George H. W. Bush . He served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from the state of Indiana....
.
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
Missouri General Assembly
The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Missouri. The bicameral General Assembly is composed of a 34-member Senate, and a 163-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses of the General Assembly are subject to term limits...
, winning the Senate in the 2001 special election and the House
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
in the 2002 general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
, 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
Matt Blunt
Matthew Roy Blunt served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Before his election as governor, Blunt served ten years in the United States Navy, was elected to serve in the Missouri General Assembly in 1998 and as Missouri's Secretary of State in 2000.A Republican, Blunt was elected...
in 2004. In the 2004 elections the party also secured the majority of Missouri's Congressional representation and that state's Presidential electors.
In 2001 she took office as a co-chair of the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
, and helped preside over the 2004 Republican National Convention
2004 Republican National Convention
The 2004 Republican National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States, took place from August 30 to September 2, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York...
. 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. On the first day of the 2004 Convention, she gave a speech during which she told the story of Rita Arnaout, a 19-year-old cancer sufferer and road traffic accident survivor who, on being warned of the danger of over-exertion in her condition, told her doctor that the re-election of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
was of greater importance to her and so required her efforts in the Bush/Cheney campaign. Wagner added that Republican activists had much to learn from this story. In January 2005, she left her role as co-chair after one term.
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 US Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
. She had no previous diplomatic experience. On 16 July 16 she was confirmed in the post by a voice vote in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, after which Senator Jim Talent
Jim Talent
James Matthes "Jim" Talent is an American politician and former senator from Missouri. He is a Republican and resided in the St. Louis area while serving in elected office. He identifies with the conservative wing of the Republican party, being particularly outspoken on judicial appointments,...
(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
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice
Condoleezza Rice is an American political scientist and diplomat. She served as the 66th United States Secretary of State, and was the second person to hold that office in the administration of President George W. Bush...
in the Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
Room of the Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
Building of the US Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
in Washington D.C..
In 2004, Wagner was a fundraising "ranger
Bush Pioneer
Bush Pioneers are people who gathered $100,000 for George W. Bush's 2000 or 2004 presidential campaign. Two new levels, Bush Rangers and Super Rangers, were bestowed upon supporters who gathered $200,000+ or $300,000+, respectively, for the 2004 campaign, after the 2002 McCain–Feingold campaign...
" for President George W. Bush.
After returning from Luxembourg, Wagner served as Chairman for Roy Blunt
Roy Blunt
Roy D. Blunt is the junior United States Senator from Missouri. He is a member of the Republican Party. His Senate seat was previously held by Republican Kit Bond, until his retirement....
's successful 2010 U.S. Senate campaign
United States Senate election in Missouri, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in Missouri occurred on November 2, 2010 alongside 36 other elections to the United States Senate in other states as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primary elections were held on August 3,...
.
2011 RNC Chairman Campaign
On November 29, 2010, Wagner sent a video message to the committee members of the Republican National CommitteeRepublican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
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
Reince Priebus
Reinhold Reince Priebus is the chairman of the Republican National Committee. He is also a previous chair of the Republican Party of Wisconsin....
, Chairman of the Wisconsin Republican Party.
2012 U.S. Congressional Campaign
Wagner has announced she is running for Missouri's 2nd Congressional DistrictMissouri's 2nd congressional district
Missouri's second congressional district is in the eastern portion of the state, primarily consisting of the suburbs north and west of St. Louis.Its current representative is Republican Todd Akin of Town and Country.-List of representatives:...
after incumbent Todd Akin
Todd Akin
William Todd Akin is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district includes the western St. Louis suburbs of Ballwin, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, Wildwood, Town and Country, and Des Peres located along Interstate 270 in West County and the...
announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012.
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. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, including the Foster Care Coalition and the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
.