User:Dpgood/LR Draft

Laura Ruderman is a former Washington State Representative for Washington's 45th legislative district. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Legislative Work
Laura Ruderman represented the 45th Legislative District in Washington State from 1999 to 2005.

While in office, she was vice chair of the Technology, Telecommunications, and Energy Committee, and served on the Appropriations and Rules Committees. In addition to these assignments, Laura was a member of the K-20 Education Network, the Information Services Board, and the Governor's Task Force on Virtual Learning.

Ruderman was named one of "100 to Watch" by the Democratic Leadership Council, 2003

Rather than seeking re-election in 2004, Laura ran for Washington State Secretary of State against incumbent Republican Sam Reed; she captured 45% of the vote to Sam Reed's 51%.

Current Activities
Since 2005 Ruderman has worked as a parent, a school and community activist, and a businesswoman.

She is or has been active in the following organizations:
 * Results - a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of impoverished families through legislative action
 * Washington Community Alliance for Self Help (CASH), a non-profit organization that provides low-income women with credit, business training, and peer support
 * K-20 Educational Network
 * Digital Learning Commons
 * King County Library System Foundation
 * Sound Mental Health
 * 21 Acres

Ruderman has been a member of the Redmond Chapter of Business and Professional Women, and is a current co-chair at Discovery Community School in the Lake Washington School District.

2012 Congressional Candidacy
Ruderman is running for Congress in the 1st District for 2012. A June 2011 letter to her supporters says, in part: "...'Starting today, I am taking on a new challenge: I am running for a seat in the United States Congress from Washington State in 2012.  I am running to serve as a common-sense, effective voice for suburban families like yours and mine, and to help fix the outrageous mess in Washington, DC. I would be proud to be the next Democratic Representative from Washington State in Congress.'"

Laura Ruderman's 2012 congressional candidacy has been endorsed by, among others:
 * The Women's Campaign Forum
 * Bainbridge Island City Councilman Barry Peters
 * Retired Colonel Grethe Cammermeyer
 * WA State Senator Sharon Nelson (D-34)
 * WA State Representative Zach Hudgins (D-11)
 * Former WA State Senator Phil Rockefeller
 * Ron Judd
 * Suzie Sheary