Gwen Graham

• Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, U.S. Department of Education

Biography

Gwen Graham, who honed her commitment to public service as a leader in Florida's local public schools, is the U.S. Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs.

A respected former member of Congress with a reputation for fairness, compassion, and problem-solving, Graham served as the Congressional representative from Florida's 2nd District during the 114th Congress and was known as one of the House's most bipartisan members. She is an attorney and prior to her service in Congress, Graham focused her practice on public education as Chief of Labor and Employee Relations for the Leon County School District. She was involved in every aspect of the educational process and was recognized for her integrity and fairness.

The Florida Education Association and the Leon Classroom Teachers Association were the first organizations to endorse her Congressional candidacy. She also served as a board member of the statewide Florida Educational Negotiators. Graham is a proud product of public K-12 education as are her children, and she served as PTA president and school advisory council chair while they were young. She has worked on a number of presidential campaigns, and in 2004 served as John Kerry's surrogate coordinator in Florida. She served as a board director of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida, the Florida State Parks Foundation, Ruth's List, and as vice chair of the City of Tallahassee Independent Ethics Board.