Mary Bono

Mary Whitaker Bono (born October 24 1961), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing the 45th District of California (map) which includes most of central and eastern Riverside County, including Palm Springs. The district was previously the 44th District before the 2000s round of redistricting.

Related Topics:
October 24 - 1961 - American - Republican - United States House of Representatives - 1998 - California - Riverside County - Palm Springs

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She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but has lived in Southern California since 1963. She worked her way through the University of Southern California, graduating in 1984. Soon after leaving Southern Cal, she married singer-turned politician Sonny Bono and moved to Palm Springs.

Related Topics:
Cleveland, Ohio - 1963 - University of Southern California - 1984 - Sonny Bono

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Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident on January 5, 1998. Mary easily won the Republican nomination for the special election to succeed him, which is tantamount to election in the heavily Republican district. She took office on April 7, 1998. She won a full term in November and has been reelected three times with no serious opposition. As of 2005 Bono was (along with Jo Ann Emerson, Lois Capps and Doris Matsui) one of four representatives who inherited their seat from their late husbands. Moreover, she is one of the few Scientologist representatives.

Related Topics:
January 5 - 1998 - April 7 - November - 2005 - Jo Ann Emerson - Lois Capps - Doris Matsui - Scientologist

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Unlike her husband, who was a loyal supporter of Newt Gingrich, Bono is one of the more moderate-to-liberal House Republicans. She chose not to attend the 2004 Republican National Convention because she felt her district and state were not in strong contention and her objection to the platform's opposition to any legal benefits for same-sex couples, as well as opposition to gays in the military, anti-discrimination laws, and so on.

Related Topics:
Newt Gingrich - 2004 - Republican National Convention

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She married Palm Springs businessman Glenn Baxley in 2001 and has two daughters from her marriage to Sonny Bono. Chiana goes to school at The Palm Valley School while Ches goes to school at Palm Springs High.

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