Jo Ann Emerson

• Position Held:  U. S. Congress, 8th district, 1997-present; Committees: Appropriations;  Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Party:  Republican 
• Home City & County:  Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau County 
• Education:  Ohio Wesleyan University, 1972 (B.A. Political Science) 
• Previous Elected Office:  None 
• Birth Date & Place:  September 16, 1950; Bethesda, Maryland 
• Family: (1) Bill Emerson, (deceased), 2 daughters; (2) Ron Gladney; 1 step-daughter; 1 step-son; 2 grandchildren 
• Religion:  Presbyterian 
• Occupation: lawmaker 
• Percentage in 2008 Election: 71% against Democrat Joe Allen 
• Work Experience:  Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, American Insurance Association, 1994-1996; Director of State Relations and Grassroots Programs, National Restaurant Association, 1991-1993 , Deputy Communications Director, National Republican Congressional Committee, 1983-1990. 

Emerson is the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Missouri, having taking office since her husband Congressman Bill Emerson’s death in 1996.