Biography:

Diana DeGette was born in Tachikawa, Japan and resides in Denver. Her father was an architect and her mother a teacher. She graduated from South High School in Denver in 1975.

DeGette received a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from Colorado College in 1979 and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity. She received a law degree from New York University and worked as an attorney with the firm of McDermott, Hansen and Reilly in Denver.

She is married to Lino Lipinsky de Orlov, an attorney. They have two children, Raphaela and Francesca.

Past Campaigns:

Diana DeGette was elected in 1992 to the Colorado House and served two terms representing a southeast Denver district.

In 1996, she defeated former Denver City Councilman Tim Sandos in the 1st congressional District Democratic primary, receiving 56 percent of the vote. She was elected that November, defeating Republican Joe Rogers with 57 percent of the vote.

DeGette was re-elected in 1998, defeating Republican Nancy McClanahan with 67 percent of the vote.

She won re-election in 2000 with 69 percent of the vote. She was re-elected in 2002, easily defeating state Sen. Ken Chlouber, a Republican from Leadville, 111,718 to 49,884.

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