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After a protracted profession in public service, former U.S. Senator from North Dakota Heidi Heitkamp is taking up a brand new problem proper right here in Chicago.
Heitkamp has simply succeeded David Axelrod because the director of the College of Chicago’s nonpartisan Institute of Politics.
In 2012, Heitkamp was a trailblazer, changing into the primary girl to be elected to the U.S. Senate from North Dakota. She beforehand served because the state’s lawyer common from 1992 to 2000 earlier than an unsuccessful bid for governor.
As a Democratic senator from a largely purple state, she was recognized for her capacity to work throughout the political divide — with out shying away from taking troublesome votes.
That features voting towards expanded background checks for gun homeowners in 2013 — a transfer that angered many in her personal get together. Heitkamp additionally voted towards confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Courtroom — a vote that doubtless value her any likelihood of reelection in 2018.
In a current interview with Axelrod, Heitkamp mentioned that working in a bipartisan means wasn’t laborious, “however it’s important to be prepared to defend the votes you’ve taken.”
“It’s important to be prepared to take the controversy that comes with these votes, however you additionally must be prepared to threat dropping,” Heitkamp mentioned. “The issue at the moment is that everyone sees each subject as a possible political legal responsibility as an alternative of, ‘How do I vote my conscience and take the warmth shifting ahead.’”
Of her ‘no’ vote on Kavanaugh, Heitkamp had no regrets.
“I turned off the sound and simply watched him (Kavanaugh), and I assumed I’ve simply by no means seen somebody extra ill-equipped in temperament to be on the Supreme Courtroom,” Heitkamp mentioned.
With Supreme Courtroom justices probably serving for 30 and even 40 years, “you’ve received to make the judgement impartial of politics as to who ought to sit on that court docket,” Heitkamp mentioned. “I don’t remorse that vote for a minute, despite the fact that it in all probability value me a possibility to return again to the Senate.”
In a press release saying her appointment to guide the Institute of Politics, College of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos praised Heitkamp’s lengthy profession of public service and bridge constructing.
“All through her decades-long profession in authorities, Heidi Heitkamp has distinguished herself as a number one public servant,” Alivisatos mentioned. “She brings to the Institute of Politics her outstanding talent for advancing dialogue amongst people with diverse views and positions in establishments and communities. I’m happy to welcome her as its new director.”
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