Hahn, Janice, 1952-

Janice Kay Hahn (born March 30, 1952) is an American teacher, business executive, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the 4th district since 2016. She was previously a U.S. Representative from California's 36th and 44th congressional districts from 2011 to 2016, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 15th district from 2001 to 2011, and an elected representative on the Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission from 1997 to 1999.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in a politically involved family, she graduated from Los Angeles Lutheran High School in 1970, and briefly attended Pepperdine University before transferring to Abilene Christian University in Texas where she graduated in 1974 with a degree in education. She taught at a private religious school from 1974 to 1978. Hahn married Gary Don Baucum; the two later divorced. In the mid-1990s, she became a public affairs regional manager for Southern California Edison Company and later a vice president for Prudential Securities. Beginning in the 1990s, Hahn began building a political career in local government. Her first campaign for the Los Angeles city council in 1993 was unsuccessful, but she was elected to the city charter reform commission in 1997. A year later, she challenged incumbent Republican Congressman Steven T. Kuykendall for a seat in the House, narrowly losing to him, 49 percent to 47 percent. In 2000 Hahn won election to the Los Angeles city council, representing Watts and San Pedro. During her 10-year career on the council, she gained a reputation as a defender of worker rights, the environment, and an advocate for the poor.

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