Maxine Waters

Maxine Moore Waters is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party, serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 43rd congressional district. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, she assumed office in January 1991. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Waters moved to Los Angeles in 1961 where she earned a B.A. in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles. Before entering politics, she worked as a teacher and as a coordinator for the Head Start program. Her early career also included service as the chief deputy to Los Angeles City Councilman David Cunningham.

Waters is a prominent figure in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, consistently advocating for economic justice, healthcare expansion, and civil rights. She supports a Medicare for All system and has been a vocal defender of the Affordable Care Act. On economic policy, she emphasizes consumer protection, affordable housing, and stricter regulation of financial institutions, having served as the Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. She is a supporter of the Green New Deal and aggressive climate action. Her immigration platform includes support for sanctuary cities and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, while her foreign policy has focused on international human rights and debt relief for developing nations.