Biography
Yassamin Ansari, born on April 7, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, is an American politician and climate policy expert serving as the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd Congressional District since January 3, 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the youngest woman in the 119th Congress and the first Iranian-American elected to public office in Arizona.
Raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ansari's early engagement in politics began during high school when she organized for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Her commitment to public service led her to work as an advisor in the Executive Office of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, contributing to the Paris Climate Agreement. She later served as Deputy Policy Director for the Global Climate Action Summit under California Governor Jerry Brown and as a senior policy advisor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
In 2021, Ansari was elected to the Phoenix City Council, representing the 7th District, where she became the youngest person and first Iranian-American to hold the position. During her tenure, she championed the city's first Climate Action Plan and established the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. She also served as Vice Mayor before resigning in March 2024 to focus on her congressional campaign.
In November 2024, Ansari was elected as the Democratic Freshman Class President, reflecting her peers' confidence in her leadership abilities.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with honors from Stanford University
- Master's degree from the University of Cambridge
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Political Experience:
- Advisor in the Executive Office of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, contributing to the Paris Climate Agreement
- Deputy Policy Director for the Global Climate Action Summit under California Governor Jerry Brown
- Senior Policy Advisor to UN Secretary-General António Guterres
- Elected to Phoenix City Council, District 7 ; served as Vice Mayor
- Elected U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd Congressional District
- Elected Democratic Freshman Class President
Ansari's career reflects a steadfast dedication to public service, climate action, and progressive policies aimed at improving the lives of her constituents.
