A Congressional colleague once told Rep. Beth Van Duyne ’95 that running for Congress was more difficult than being a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

“When you’re in the ring, you know where that punch is coming from, but up here you have no idea,” Van Duyne remembers being told.

Fortunately, Van Duyne is no stranger to confronting difficult challenges. Prior to graduating high school, she left home at the age of 17 and for the next two years worked multiple jobs to support herself before moving to Ithaca to attend Cornell. She also challenged a long-time incumbent to win a seat on city council in her hometown of Irving, Texas, where she eventually became mayor; all while juggling early health challenges for her daughter and ultimately becoming a single parent.

Van Duyne, who represents Texas’ 24th Congressional District, recently won re-election to her third term. She represents the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

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