Gina Raimondo
Gina Marie Raimondo (/rəˈmɒndoʊ/; born May 17, 1971) is an American businesswoman, lawyer, politician, and venture capitalist who has served since 2021 as the 40th United States secretary of commerce. A member of the Democratic Party, she served as the 75th governor of Rhode Island from 2015 to 2021, and was the first woman to serve in the role.
Gina Raimondo | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
| 40th United States Secretary of Commerce | |
| Assumed office March 3, 2021 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Don Graves |
| Preceded by | Wilbur Ross |
| 75th Governor of Rhode Island | |
| In office January 6, 2015 – March 2, 2021 | |
| Lieutenant | Dan McKee |
| Preceded by | Lincoln Chafee |
| Succeeded by | Dan McKee |
| 30th General Treasurer of Rhode Island | |
| In office January 4, 2011 – January 6, 2015 | |
| Governor | Lincoln Chafee |
| Preceded by | Frank Caprio |
| Succeeded by | Seth Magaziner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gina Marie Raimondo May 17, 1971 Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Andrew Moffit (m. 2001) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) New College, Oxford (MA, DPhil) Yale University (JD) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman, politician, venture capitalist |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature | |
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Raimondo began her career in venture capital after law school. In 2000, she co-founded Point Judith Capital, Rhode Island's first venture capital firm. Raimondo entered politics in 2010, when she was elected general treasurer of Rhode Island. During her first year in office, she prioritized reforming Rhode Island's public employee pension system.
In 2014, Raimondo was elected governor in a three-way contest with 41% of the vote. While in office, Raimondo was elected to serve as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA) for the 2018 election cycle. Reelected in 2018, Raimondo was tasked with overseeing the state's initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020 presidential election, she served as co-chair of Michael Bloomberg's 2020 presidential campaign.
Described as a "moderate technocrat" by The Washington Post, Raimondo is often characterized as a centrist within her party. Chosen to serve as Secretary of Commerce by President Joe Biden, she played a leading role in negotiations for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.