Christina Wynne
J.D. | |
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Senator From New Hampshire
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| In office January 1st, 2015 – Present | |
Ambassador to the United Nations
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|---|---|
| In office January 21st, 2009 – January 20th 2013 | |
| President | Rashid Baharia |
Ambassador to the United Kingdom
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| In office April 20th, 1999 – January 20th, 2001 | |
| President | Clifford |
Ambassador to the Russian Federation
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| In office January 20th, 1997 – April 16th, 1999 | |
| President | Clifford |
National Security Advisor
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| In office January 20th, 1993 – January 1st 1997 | |
| Clifford | |
| Born | February 13th, 1955 (64 years old) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Birth name | Christina Elaine Richards |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5,4 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Charles Wynne (b. 1949) |
| Children | Charlotte (b. 1991) Benjamin (b.1993) |
| Parents | Joseph Richards (d. 1994), Alice Schuyler (d. 1975) |
| Residence | Hanover, New Hampshire |
| Secondary Residence | Washington D.C. |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Profession | Lawyer, Professor, Diplomat, Politician |
| Religion | Catholic |
Early Life[]
Born in Philadelphia to Joseph Richards, a wealthy shipping industrialist, and Alice Schuyler, a socialite, Christina Richards had a privileged life growing up. Her family owned several houses throughout America, and but she was primarily raised in and around the suburbs of Philadelphia, and in Manhattan. When she was 12, her father left her mother in a scandal, something that made front page news in their wealthy social circles. Christina saw the toll the dissolution of the marriage took on her mother, who became an alcoholic and a recluse. She would die in 1975, largely forgotten by her family save for Christina. Her mother's unhappiness is later life made it clear to Christina that she must not ever be reliant on any man for her money, or her standing. While relations with her father were cordial, and he paid her way through both a private high school, and later Yale Law, they were never close. When Christina graduated third in her class from Yale, she went into international law.
While most of her family were Republicans, Christina grew into a fervent supporter of the Democratic Party during late 1960s and early 1970s. She volunteered for the McGovern campaign in 1972, and later the Carter campaign in both 1976 and 1980. During the Carter administration, Christina, with her knowledge of world affairs and international law, was hired as a minor advisor, with a focus on relations with Russia and Europe. When Carter was defeated in 1980, she turned her eyes to the academia, becoming a professor in International Relations and Security Studies at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire by her 35th Birthday in 1990. There she became a well respected academic, and critic of the Reagan/Bush Administrations policies, both domestic and foreign. Around this time, she met, and married, Charles Wynne, a professor of Classics and Greek Philosophy at Cornell University. They would have two children, Charlotte (b.1991) and Benjamin (b.1993). Her father would die in 1994, and he left much of his wealth to her in his will.
Clifford Administration and Return to Academia[]
When the then Governor Clifford was running for President, Christina was on his campaign as one of his chief advisors on Foreign Affairs, preparing him for debates and compiling information for that years Democratic platform. After Clifford's inauguration, Christina was appointed Clifford's National Security Advisor (1993-1997). As National Security Advisor, Wynne attempted to push for closer UN coordination and swifter action during the Rwandan Genocide, and also pushed the Administration to increase foreign aid and cultivate the growth of liberal democracy in Africa and Wast Asia. Following Clifford re-election, Wynne was given the post of Ambassador to Russia (1997-1999). As Ambassador to Russia in the final years of the Yeltsin Administration, Wynne got to know the then Council Secretary, later Prime Minister and President, Vladamir Putin. The pair did not get along, as Putin saw Wynne as a capable actor for America, and Wynne recognized that Putin was far more intelligent and cunning than the brutish Yeltsin. When it became clear that Putin was to be Yeltsin's successor, administration officials removed her from Moscow one year early, hoping a new ambassador might be able to develop a healthier relationship with the new President. As compensation, the Clifford Administration appointed, and confirmed, her to the prestigious position of Ambassador to the United Kingdom (1999-2001). Her strong ties to the Clifford Administration led to great opportunities when she left office. She returned to teaching at Dartmouth, and became President of the College in 2003. She spoke out fiercely against the Iraq War.
Due to her Democratic connections, she was frequently courted to run for office over the years. She refused a draft movement to run for New Hampshire Governor in 2006, and Representative for an open Congressional District in 2008.
Ambassador to the United Nations and Senator from New Hampshire[]
Ambassador Wynne speaks at a UN Conference
When President Baharia was inaugurated in 2009, he asked Christina to become his Ambassador to the United Nations, a role in which she was well qualified. She served in this role from 2009-2013. In this time, she greatly affected US policy at the UN, and was the architect of several important agreements and votes. Wynne played a key role in forming the United Nations response to the 2011 Libyan Civil War, and was one of the chief proponents of UNSC Resolution 1973 which saw NATO forces establish a no-fly zone over Libya in order to ensure that forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi would support a ceasefire and not engage in any actions that would endanger civilians. While the intervention would have mixed results, Wynne and most administration officials have defended it as a necessary action which limited civilian causalities.
Wynne would later be highly involved in negotiations at the UN around the Syrian Civil War, and strongly condemned both Russia and China for their 2012 vetoes of UNSC resolutions which called upon Bashar Al-Assad to step down. In her words, these two nations "put a stake in the heart of the Syrian Peace Process. America is standing with the Syrian People. Russia and China are standing with their oppressors."
On the whole, Wynne was given strong marks for her time at the UN. She forged strong relations with NATO allies during the Libyan Civil War and was increasingly passionate about the support of LGBTQ rights around the world. She supported international programs for women, and LGBTQ development, and pressured several nations to change their laws surrounding minority and gender rights. Her Russian counterpart said of her after her retirement; "Christina and I had a good working relationship, but I would never mistake her for a friend. She is tough as nails and doesnt handle fools lightly. I suspect her departure will make my job easier."
Despite her strong record at the UN and an offer from President Baharia to continue in her role, Christina planned to retire, and focus on her family and her writing. However, as she saw the Republican Party become increasingly hostile to the Baharia administration and its devolution toward right-wing populism, she became more interested in active political involvement. Thus, with Baharia's support, she ran for the 2014 Senate Seat in New Hampshire. She faced several other Democrats in the Primary, but was carried through due to strong establishment support. She went on to narrowly in the seat in the General Election, and joined the Senate. She was put on the Foreign Affairs committee, and, by her request, the Health committee, a subject where she had held
some interest. Due to her expertise in foreign policy, she has been a feature of cable news, commenting on international crises all around the globe. She has devoted some time, however, on developing her domestic policies, which, per her previous work and education, were not the primary focus of her life.
This focus on domestic affairsclarified several of her positions. As with most Democrats, she favours LGBTQ, womens, and minority rights, being a vocal advocate for gay marriage, and the right to choose. On economics, she favoured structural alterations and regulations, like the Dodd-Frank act to ensure that Wall Street stay in its lane. She also supports higher taxes on the wealthy, and the closing of corporate tax loopholes. She is a strong advocate for gun control. Her most ardent domestic position however has been on Criminal Justice Reform, and ensuring that the justice system is equitable and fair. Sitting on the Health Senate committee, she has favoured Baharia Care, though was, and is, supportive of a public option. In foreign affairs, she is an internationalist, favouring using organizations like the UN, and NATO, while not being afraid to flex American muscle if necessary, being supportive of several missions to target terrorist leaders.
During the 2016 election, she endorsed Diane Clifford during the Primary, and campaign for her in New Hampshire and New England in general. She was widely seen as a possible pick for Secretary of State in the new Clifford Administration.
The victory of the Wolf campaign however shocked the nation, and Christina especially. She began to seriously consider a run for President herself in 2020. She has been a leading critic of Wolf's foreign policy, and his relations with the security services.
2020 Presidential Election Campaign[]
Senator Wynne has been touted as a possible heir to President Baharia's political legacy
Senator Wynne has been touted as a possible Democratic nominee for the 2020 Election, with advocates pointing to her strong grasp of foreign policy, progressive social stances, location in an early primary state and ties to the extremely popular President Baharia as just a few of her possible strengths.
She has announced that she will not be running for a second term as Senator from New Hampshire.
On April 6th, 2019, Wynne announced that she will be running for President in that years General Election in Hanover, New Hampshire. In her announcement speech, she committed to several progressive policies such as a Public Option for Healthcare, stronger regulations on the banking sector, fresh investment in green energy, preserving and protecting minority rights, and reengaging with traditional American allies.
On April 7th, Wynne made her first trip to Iowa as an official candidate. There, she published her first policy proposals in regard to higher education. In her speech she committed to:
-By 2024, families with income up to $100,000 will pay no tuition at in-state four-year public colleges and universities. And from the end of my first year in office, every student from a family making $85,000 a year or less will be able to go to an in-state four-year public college or university without paying tuition.
- By 2024 all community colleges will be free of charge.
Senator Wynne's 2020 Campaign Logo
-The creation of a $25 billion fund for historically black colleges, and institutions that offer programs or scholarships for other minorities, such as Hispanics or LGBTQ Americans.
- Those who have already borrowed will be able to refinance loans at current rates, providing debt relief to an estimated 25 million people. They’ll never have to pay back more than 10 percent of their income, and all remaining college debt will be forgiven after 20 years.
- Entrepreneurs will be able to defer their loans with no payments or interest for up to three years. Social entrepreneurs and those starting new enterprises in distressed communities will be eligible for up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness.
- Immediate executive action to offer a three-month moratorium on student loan payments to all federal loan borrowers.