Lauren Underwood

Lauren Ashley Underwood (born October 4, 1986) is an American politician and registered nurse who is a U.S. representative from Illinois's 14th congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party.

Her district, once represented by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, includes the outer western suburbs of Chicago, including Crystal Lake, Geneva, Oswego, Woodstock, and Yorkville.

Underwood grew up in Naperville, Illinois.

She graduated with a degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and two master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University.

Underwood was born on October 4, 1986, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.

From 2003 to 2004, she worked on the City of Naperville's Fair Housing Advisory Commission.

At age three, she moved with her family to Naperville, Illinois, where she grew up and attended Neuqua Valley High School, graduating in 2004.

She began as a Girl Scout in kindergarten and is a lifetime member.

At eight years old, Underwood was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia, a pre-existing condition that later shaped her views on health policy.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan in 2008.

At Michigan, Underwood took a course on nursing politics that she has said "changed her life" and influenced her to enter healthcare policy.

Also at Michigan, she joined the National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha.

She received her Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in 2009.

She began her career as a policy professional in the Obama administration in 2014, later working as a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

In 2014, Underwood became a senior advisor at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where she worked to implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Beginning in 2017, Underwood was the Senior Director of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs at Next Level Health.

She also served as an adjunct instructor at the Georgetown University School of Nursing & Health Studies.

In August 2017, Underwood announced her candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in IL's 14th congressional district.

Her platform focused on improving the Affordable Care Act, expanding job opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and paid family leave.

She won the March 20 Democratic primary with 57% of the vote against six opponents.

In the general election, Underwood faced incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren.

In a public debate, Underwood, who has a heart condition, said that she had decided to run for the seat because Hultgren voted to repeal the ACA.

Hultgren voted in favor of the Republican American Health Care Act, which passed the House in 2017 but not the Senate, and would have repealed and replaced the ACA.

Underwood said the repeal-and-replace bill would have taken away the right of "individuals like me with preexisting conditions to have affordable coverage" and that people like her would either be denied coverage or charged more.

Hultgren said the bill would have protected such people because although it would have allowed states to charge people with preexisting conditions more, they would be eligible for subsidies.

Underwood said that health care is "a human right" and that single-payer/universal coverage/Medicare for all was "a great goal" but would have to wait until we have good answers to the questions about costs.

Hultgren ran TV ads stating that Underwood supports a single-payer plan.

Former President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Underwood.

In the November 6 election, she defeated Hultgren with 52.5% of the vote.

In 2018, Underwood was elected to the United States House of Representatives, defeating Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren.

Upon her swearing in, she became the youngest Black woman to serve in Congress.

In 2022, she was elected a co-chairs of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, making her the first black woman to have an elected Democratic leadership position since Shirley Chisholm in the 1970s.

A major focus for her in Congress has been on health care disparities, particularly as they relate to maternal health outcomes.

Underwood was reelected over state senator Jim Oberweis, in the ninth-closest race of the House 2020 election cycle.

Following early returns, Oberweis claimed victory prior to the official declaration as to the winner.

Nine days following voting, the Associated Press called the election on November 12 for Underwood.

Oberweis unsuccessfully challenged the result.

Underwood ran for reelection in 2022 in the 14th district after its lines were dramatically adjusted following redistricting.

She won the election with 54% of the vote.

During the presidency of Donald Trump, Underwood voted in line with Trump's stated position 6.5% of the time.