Katrina Pierson

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Katrina Pierson
Photo of Katrina Pierson at CPAC 2011
Born Katrina Lanette Shaddix
1975/1976 (age 47–48)[1]:{{{3}}}
Kansas, U.S.
Nationality American
Alma mater University of Texas, Dallas
Occupation
  • Communications consultant
  • Tea Party activist
Years active 2012–present
Known for National spokesperson for the 2016 Donald Trump presidential campaign
Political party Republican

Katrina Lanette Pierson (born Katrina Lanette Shaddix,[2]:{{{3}}} 1975 or 1976[1]:{{{3}}}) is a Tea Party activist and communications consultant from Texas. Since November 2015, she has served as national spokesperson for the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign.

Early life and education

Pierson was born in Kansas[3]:{{{3}}} to a white mother and a black father, and grew up with her mother in poverty.[4]:{{{3}}} Her mother, who gave birth to her at age 15,[2]:{{{3}}} initially gave her up for adoption, but later changed her mind.[4]:{{{3}}}

In 1997, at the age of 20, she was arrested for shoplifting, to which she pleaded no contest, received deferred adjudication, and, ultimately, a dismissal with the case sealed.[2]:{{{3}}} Pierson reportedly took $168 in merchandise from a J. C. Penney store in Plano, Texas, and had her then three-month old son with her at the time of the incident.[2]:{{{3}}} Pierson told authorities she needed the clothes for job interviews.[2]:{{{3}}}

In 2006, Pierson earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas.[1]:{{{3}}}[5]:{{{3}}}

Political career

Beginnings

After voting for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election, Pierson joined the Tea Party movement, becoming an activist.[6]:{{{3}}} Pierson founded a local Tea Party group in Garland, Texas.[5]:{{{3}}}[6]:{{{3}}} She actively supported Ted Cruz in the 2012 Senate race in Texas and appeared on stage with him on election night.[1]:{{{3}}}

2014 Texas Congressional race

In the 2014 Texas Congressional elections, Pierson challenged incumbent Congressman Pete Sessions in the Republican primary to represent Texas' 32nd district.[7]:{{{3}}}[8]:{{{3}}} Her candidacy was endorsed by Rafael Cruz and Sarah Palin, who called her "a feisty fighter for freedom."[7]:{{{3}}} While U.S. Senator Ted Cruz offered praise, calling her an "utterly fearless principled conservative,"[8]:{{{3}}} he stopped short of an endorsement.[8]:{{{3}}} In the primary, she received 36 percent of the vote, losing to Sessions, who received 63 percent.[9]:{{{3}}} Pierson went on to become spokesperson for the Tea Party Leadership Fund.[when?][1]:{{{3}}}

Association with Trump 2016

In January 2015, Pierson attended a meeting for Tea Party activists in Myrtle Beach with Ted Cruz;[1]:{{{3}}} while in Myrtle Beach, she also met with Donald Trump.[1]:{{{3}}} After meeting with Trump or his aides a few more times in the spring,[1]:{{{3}}} Pierson introduced Trump at a campaign rally held in Dallas in September.[1]:{{{3}}} In November 2015, she was hired as the national spokesperson for Trump's campaign,[1]:{{{3}}} subsequently appearing frequently on television in this capacity.[10]:{{{3}}}

Other matters

As of December 2015, Pierson served on the Texas Tea Party Caucus advisory committee.[6]:{{{3}}}[5]:{{{3}}}

Personal life

Pierson had a three-month-long marriage[2]:{{{3}}} at a young age that gave her a son.[1]:{{{3}}} As of 2015, Pierson and her son were residing in Garland, Texas.[5]:{{{3}}}

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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