Amanda Renzetti
From Usgovsimulation
| ||||
| Southwest Lt. Governor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Office: 2017-Present | ||||
| Electoral District | Southwest | |||
| Preceded by | Morgan Randolph | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| Southwest Majority Leader | ||||
| In Office: 2015-Present | ||||
| Electoral District | Southwest | |||
| Preceded by | Wilson R. Tothero | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| House Democratic Leader | ||||
| In Office: 2012-2014 | ||||
| Electoral District | US House of Representatives | |||
| Preceded by | J. Martin Pennypot | |||
| Succeeded by | Gregory Wolff | |||
| U.S. Representative. | ||||
| In Office: 2011-2014 | ||||
| Electoral District | California 53rd Congressional District | |||
| Preceded by | Susan Davis | |||
| Succeeded by | Ann Onymous | |||
| Born | January 11th, 1978 New Orleans, Louisiana | |||
| Political Party | Democratic | |||
| Spouse | Matthew Sorenson | |||
| Children | Jonathan H. Sorenson
Vincent L. Sorenson | |||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | |||
Amanda Renzetti is an American politician, and is presently Lt. Governor of the Southwest. She represented California's 53rd Congressional District from January 2011 until November 22nd 2014, and then Represented California's 2nd Legislative District from January 2015 to January 2017. She was elected House Minority Whip shortly after her election to the House, and was promoted to House Minority Leader when J. Martin Pennypot had to step down. However, she is probably most famous nationwide for her involvement in the 2012 Democratic Presidential Primary, tying Senate Majority Leader Cullen in Iowa and winning the New Hampshire Primary. She ran for California Senate in 2014, but was defeated.
Early Life
Amanda Renzetti was born January 11th, 1978, to Viola Renzetti and Emilio Formigoni, Italian-Americans living in Louisiana. Amanda was the eldest of three children. Her mother died due to complications from childbirth after having her youngest biological sister, Mia, and their father became very abusive.
When Amanda was 10, her older cousin Julian Williams (born Dante Renzetti), found her. Julian was appalled at the behavior of Emilio, and through a lawyer he knew managed to get the state to take Amanda and her siblings into foster care. Amanda and her siblings were then promptly adopted by Julian's own adoptive father, William Richards.
Military Service
Inspired by the military service of Julian, Amanda joined the United States navy at the age of 18 (in 1996). She gravitated to aircraft, having obtained a pilots license the year before, and managed to get admitted to the Naval Aviation program. After completing flight training, she was assigned to the historic VFA-14 fighter squadron in 1998.
In 2002, Amanda's squadron, now operating off the USS Enterprise, was an active participant in Operation Enduring Freedom, running numerous attacks against Iraqi targets. In 2003, her squadron was deployed to the Persian Gulf, in support of the invasion of Iraq. Serving on the USS Nimitz by then, Amanda personally attacked several targets around Baghdad. VFA-14 returned to combat in the Persian Gulf in 2005, supporting additional operations in Iraq. They would be deployed to Iraq again in 2008.
In November, 2010, Amanda received an honorable discharge from the navy, after 14 years of service.
2010 House Special Election
Upon leaving the military, Renzetti ran for and won California's 53rd Congressional Seat, in a special election brought on by the retirement of her predecessor.
2011-2012
Amanda Renzetti was elected to serve as House Democratic Whip upon the start of the 2011-2012 Congressional Session, absolutely unprecedented for a freshman congresswoman. Over the two years, she built up a reputation as a social and economic liberal, and a moderate (if not perhaps a hair to the right) record on Homeland Security, Foreign Policy and Defense. In December 2011, Renzetti was made acting House Minority Leader upon the reassignment of HmL Pennypot, and in early January 2012 that position was made official by a unanimous vote. As House Minority Leader, Renzetti played a central role in brokering the compromise budget that was ultimately passed in late 2012.
2012 Democratic Presidential Primary
2013-2014
2014 California Senate Election
Resignation from the House
On election night 2014, Renzetti's husband Matt Sorenson was involved in an automobile accedent and slipped into a coma. In a reaction to this tragedy, Amanda Renzetti resigned from the US House of Representatives on November 22nd, 2014. Matt Sorenson has since started well on the road to recovery, so it is unclear whether Renzetti's political retirement is permanent or only temporary. Rumors have linked her name to a Southwest Regional Legislature special election in San Diego.
Southwest Majority Leader (2015-2016)
Southwest Lt. Governor (2017-Present)
Personal Life
Renzetti married Matthew Sorenson, son of now US Senator Pattie Sorenson, in 2012. Four months later, she gave birth to their first child, Jonathan Sorenson. In 2015, Renzetti gave birth to their second child, Vincent Sorenson.
