Diana DeGette has built her congressional career as a fierce advocate for medical research and women's reproductive rights, earning recognition as one of the House's most effective legislators on health care issues. A former prosecutor who first won election in 1996, she has championed landmark legislation expanding federal funding for stem cell research and has been a leading voice in fights over abortion access and contraception coverage. DeGette's district encompasses downtown Denver and surrounding urban areas, making her a prominent spokesperson for progressive urban priorities in a increasingly purple state. Her legal background and committee work on energy and commerce has also made her a key player in debates over pharmaceutical regulation and public health policy.