Our Leaders

On November 4, 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama was elected the 44th and first African American President of the United States. After working his way through college, Obama dedicated himself to helping rebuild Chicago’s under-served communities, a commitment he continued after graduating from Harvard Law School. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate n 1996 and to the U.S. Senate in 2004, and beginning in 2007, he launched his campaign for higher office. Obama’s campaign and subsequent election inspired millions of Americans to get involved in the political process, many for the first time. He was sworn in on January 20, 2009.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and raised in Delaware, Vice President Joe Biden was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972, becoming the sixth youngest senator in history. In the senate, Biden served as chairman of the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees, played an active role in passing the 1994 Crime Bill and the Violence Against Women Act, and helped shape policy on many other domestic and international issues.

Nancy Pelosi made history in 2007, breaking the marble ceiling to become the first woman to serve as speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She served as speaker for four successful years, during which she and her leadership team addressed challenging issues facing the American people. Now, as House Democratic Leader, Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats will work tirelessly to hold House Republicans accountable and protect the interests of the American people.

Since Nevadans elected him to the Senate in 1986, Harry Reid has developed a reputation as a consensus builder and a skillful legislator. Even his Republican colleagues praise his reasoned, balanced approach.

As the chair of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz works every day to advance President Obama's agenda and re-election campaign and to elect Democratic candidates across the country. First elected to Congress in 2004, Rep. Wasserman Schultz has been a rising presence in the House and a tireless advocate for Democratic values. Prior to becoming chair, Rep. Wasserman Schultz was DNC vice chair.