Abigail Gerrard
From Usgovsimulation
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| Senator for the Midwest Region Serving with Joan Calhoon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Office: 2021 - Present | ||||
| Preceded by | Lincoln Winters | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| Chair of the Democratic Party Vice Chair: Vacant | ||||
| In Office: 2023 - Present | ||||
| Preceded by | Samuel Wells | |||
| Succeeded by | Incumbent | |||
| President of the Central Michigan University | ||||
| In Office: 2019 - 2021 | ||||
| Preceded by | Michael Chang | |||
| Succeeded by | Parker J. Kennedy | |||
| Born | 20 April, 1990 San Juan, Puerto Rico | |||
| Political Party | Democrat | |||
| Spouse | Single | |||
| Profession | President of CMU Psychology professor | |||
| Children | None | |||
| Religion | Roman Catholic | |||
Abigail Gerrard is an American politician, currently serving as Senator for the Midwest and Chairwoman of the Democratic Party. A Democrat, Gerrard served as President of the Central Michigan University for two years before being appointed to replace former Presidential candidate Lincoln Winters. She was elected to a full term in 2022.
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Early Life
Abigail Gerrard was born to Christian and Elizabeth Gerrard in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 20, 1990, during their vacations. Her parents, native Michiganians, didn't believe in the public school system, and so, young Abby was homeschooled. But she wasn't like any other homeschooled child. She soon proved to be a prodigy.
University: Student and Professor
Despite her father's objections, she was accepted into the University of Michigan at age 15, and obtained her first B.A. in Psychology at age 19. In 2013, she became the youngest student to ever obtain a PhD in the state of Michigan. Upon leaving Ann-Arbor, Gerrard was offered several jobs as professor in different universities, choosing Central Michigan, at Mount Pleasant.
She worked for six years at the Psychology department, heading it for two years, before being offered a post as Assistant to the President, Michael Chang, on December 2018. Six months later, she was promoted, becoming CMU's youngest President on its 127 years of history.
Senator for the Midwest Region
While always avoiding politics at work, Gerrard, a registered Democrat, never hid her mostly liberal political convinctions, and became a well-known activist and an important member of Michigan's Democratic Party. In 2021, with the sudden resignation of Senator Lincoln Winters, who she had supported for the Presidency back in 2020, she was offered the seat, which she accepted.
First Term (2021 - 2023)
A few weeks into her first term, Senator Gerrard had already become one of the most active and influential Senators. Named Ranking Member of the Domestic Affairs Committee, she participated in the creation of bipartisan healthcare reform legislation (Affordable Universal Healthcare Coverage for All Americans Act) with Republican Senator Sorenson, Independent Senator Perry, and Senate Minority Leader Jackson.
She soon managed to get her first sponsored bill (Puerto Rico Democracy Act) signed into law by President Pizzuto, giving the territory the chance to self-determine their future. She also wrote gun rights legislation with Senator Perry, which she tried to bring up for immediate debate.
Midwest Senatorial Election (2022)
Senator Gerrard announced her intention to run for a full term at Detroit, Michigan. She faced conservative House Minority Whip, John Wallace. Pre-polls showed her ahead at Michigan (8.1%) and Minnesota (0.9%), while down at Wisconsin (0.5%), Indiana (2.6%) and Illinois (2.5%), with an overall lead of 2.2 points.
While the race was expected to be one of the closest in 2022, Gerrard soon strengthened her poll numbers, thanks to the release of an ad pointing out the numerous votes Wallace had casted against good legislation. By half-polls, she had expanded her lead in Minnesota and Michigan, and had took the lead in Illinois, while closing both Wisconsin and Indiana.
The last weeks of campaigning saw a great number of Republican figures, such as President Pizzuto, Vice President Pooty, or House Minority Leader Holland, visiting the region to endorse Wallace, however, his campaigning effort soon dropped. Gerrard carried all five states and 55.64% of the vote on Election Day.
Second Term (2023 - Present)
Senator Gerrard was assigned to the Judiciary Committee as Ranking Member.
Chairwoman of the Democratic Party
A few weeks after her election victory, Abigail Gerrard was elected to succeed Senator Wells as Chair of the Democratic Party.
Election Results
| Election | Location | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senate Election, 2022 | Midwest | General | Abigail Gerrard | Democrat | 4,380,226 | 55.64% | John Wallace | Republican | 3,461,936 | 43.97% |
