Background readied candidate Crouse Dem hopeful began political career early Jahna Berry The Arizona Republic Aug. 10, 2006 Angie Crouse's childhood was steeped in politics. Her father was a state Capitol reporter for a Boston radio station. While she volunteered for Boston-area political campaigns as a teenager, the District 17 Democratic House candidate didn't consider running for office herself, the political researcher said. That is, until she helped establish Emerge Arizona a few years ago. The group preps Democratic women to run for elected office. In addition to nuts-and-bolts campaign training, Emerge Arizona opened up a wide political network to participants. Gov. Janet Napolitano, as well as other state and local elected officials are on the group's advisory board. Crouse says she is particularly passionate about education. As a researcher, she learned that Arizona ranks near the bottom of many education rankings. "We are doing a real disservice to our kids here," said Crouse, who says she is frustrated by the state's weak reputation on education issues. "I was a product of a public school education and I want the possibility for students here." Crouse, who worked to put herself through school, says she also wants to help college students, who must cope with tuition hikes although wages are not rising. Crouse lived in Arizona for six years while she attended Arizona State University and Mesa Community College, but moved back East in 1994 to be closer to family. She returned to Arizona in 2002. She earned a bachelor's of science degree at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine, and worked a variety of low-wage jobs, including veterinary technician, phlebotomist and waitress, to put herself through school, she said. She's active in Democratic politics and sits on the precinct committee for the party. That and her history with Emerge Arizona seem to be paying political dividends on the campaign trial. She's scooped up endorsements from the Arizona Education Association, the AFL-CIO and the Human Rights Fund. All three organizations also have endorsed Sen. Ed Ableser D-Tempe, who also is running for a District 17 House seat. Crouse said that she has an edge on the other eight candidates because the numbers play in her favor. She's the only Democratic woman running for a District 17 seat. "As a woman I represent half of the vote in Tempe and south Scottsdale," she said. |
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