Amy McGrath

Amy McGrath is a former United States Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and Democratic politician who ran for United States Senate in Kentucky against Mitch McConnell in the 2020 Senate election. McGrath's military career spanned over two decades, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, where she worked with NATO forces and United States Central Command. Her experiences in the Marine Corps and as a Veterans Affairs advocate have shaped her politics and informed her policy positions on issues like healthcare and national security, which are influenced by experts like Joseph Nye and Madeleine Albright.

● Early Life and Education

Amy McGrath was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Edgewood, Kentucky, where she attended Notre Dame Academy. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with a degree in aeronautical engineering, and later earned a Master's degree in international relations from the University of Kentucky. McGrath's interest in foreign policy was influenced by scholars like Henry Kissinger and Zbigniew Brzezinski, and she has spoken at events hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institution. Her education and early career were also shaped by her experiences at the Naval War College and the Marine Corps War College, where she studied alongside military strategists like Carl von Clausewitz and Sun Tzu.

● Military Career

McGrath's military career began when she was commissioned as a Second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in 1997. She flew over 80 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was one of the first women to fly a F/A-18 in combat, working with coalition forces from countries like Canada and the United Kingdom. McGrath's experiences in the Marine Corps were influenced by military leaders like General James Mattis and General John Kelly, and she has spoken about the importance of veterans' issues and military reform, citing the work of organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Her military service also took her to Japan and South Korea, where she worked with allies like Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Moon Jae-in.

● Political Career

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2017, McGrath began her career in politics, running for the United States House of Representatives in Kentucky's 6th congressional district in the 2018 midterm elections. Although she lost to Andy Barr, McGrath's campaign gained national attention, with endorsements from Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Her policy positions on issues like healthcare reform and climate change have been influenced by experts like Al Gore and Barack Obama, and she has spoken at events hosted by the Center for American Progress and the Democratic Governors Association. McGrath has also worked with advocacy groups like the Sierra Club and the National Organization for Women to promote progressive policies.

● Elections

In 2019, McGrath announced her candidacy for the United States Senate in Kentucky, running against Mitch McConnell in the 2020 Senate election. Her campaign focused on issues like affordable healthcare, economic development, and national security, with endorsements from Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. McGrath's campaign also emphasized the importance of bipartisanship and compromise, citing the work of lawmakers like Senator John McCain and Representative John Lewis. Although she lost the election, McGrath's campaign raised over 20 million dollars and gained national attention, with coverage from CNN, MSNBC, and The New York Times.

● Personal Life

McGrath is married to Erik Henderson, a former United States Marine Corps officer, and they have three children together. She is a resident of Georgetown, Kentucky, and has been involved in various community organizations, including the United Way and the American Red Cross. McGrath has also spoken about the importance of women's empowerment and gender equality, citing the work of feminist leaders like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Malala Yousafzai. Her personal story has been featured in media outlets like NBC News and The Washington Post, and she has spoken at events hosted by the National Women's Law Center and the Global Women's Institute.