At 30, Republican Elise Stefanik Makes History to Become The Youngest Woman Ever Elected to Congress
The last time a Republican represented New York's 21st Congressional District in Congress, Elise Kelly, 30, was only nine. On Tuesday night, 21 years later, however, the young Republican beamed with pride after she was elected to represent the district and become the youngest woman ever in Congress.
"We did it," she screamed with an excited fist-pump in the air and a wide grin as she gathered herself to officially thank voters for their confidence in a video posted on YouTube.
"Elise, Elise, Elise," the crowd chanted and cheered as she basked in the moment for a bit.
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"Tonight, we made a little history in the North Country. I am honored and humbled to be the youngest woman ever elected to the United States Congress. And to add an additional crack to the glass ceiling for the future generations of women here tonight," she began. "But this election, it's not about me, but it's about all of you here tonight. And the people of the 21st district."
Located in the northeastern portion of the state, New York's 21st Congressional District includes Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton, Essex, Warren, Washington and Fulton counties as well as parts of Saratoga and Herkimer counties.
Stefanik is the first person in her immediate family to go to college and is a graduate of Harvard. She worked in her family's company in Upstate New York that was founded 20 years ago, according to her campaign's Facebook page.
She also worked in several public policy roles, most recently as director of vice presidential debate prep for 2012 GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
"We are here tonight because you believe that Washington is ready for fresh ideas and a new generation of leadership," she told her supporters Tuesday night.
"As your representative, I will work hard every day to create jobs and grow our economy right here in the North Country, to build greater transparency and accountability in Congress," she added.
The record for the youngest woman to be elected to Congress was previously held by New York Democrat Elizabeth Holtzman who was elected in 1973 at the age of 31, according to TIME.
