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| While working as a lobbyist for autism-related causes, Elizabeth Emken helped secure federal & state legislation bolstering research, banning discrimination by insurers and guaranteeing coverage of specific treatments. The Republican is running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP /4/10/12) |
Autism advocacy was in its infancy in the mid-1990s when an organization of parents put the word out about a trip to Washington, D.C., to press for research dollars. Joining them unannounced was a political novice with her own autistic child who quickly became a household name in activist circles.
Elizabeth Emken "was a mom from Danville who had read this somehow, and there she was in Barbara Boxer's office," said Jon Shestack of Los Angeles, who along with his wife founded Cure Autism Now in 1995. "She had flown herself in."
That ultimately successful visit to one of California's two U.S. senators launched a lobbying career for Emken that helped secure federal and state legislation bolstering autism research, banning discrimination by insurers and guaranteeing coverage of specific treatments.
Eventually, it also motivated the Contra Costa County mother of three to take a more audacious plunge: The 49-year-old Emken will face off next month against California's other senator, Democrat Dianne Feinstein.
Elizabeth Emken is endorsed by the California Republican Party and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee, ◼ More
Elizabeth Emken
