Mary Bono
Mary Whitaker Bono (born October 24 1961), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing the 45th District of California (map). She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, was educated at University of Southern California, and was a restaurant business manager and personal fitness instructor before entering the House. She was the wife of Representative Sonny Bono (formerly a singer with the double act Sonny and Cher), and succeeded him at a special election following his death in a skiing accident. As of 2005 Bono was (along with Jo Ann Emerson, Lois Capps and Doris Matsui) one of four representatives who inherited their seat from their late husband,
Bono is one of the more moderate-to-liberal House Republicans and chose not to attend the 2004 Republican National Convention because of her belief that her state and district were not in strong contention and her objection to the platform's opposition to any legal benefits for same-sex couples, as well as opposition to gays in the military, anti-discrimination laws, and so on.
She has two children: Chianna Bono, and Cheserae Bono. Chiana goes to school at The Palm Valley School while Ches goes to school at Palm Springs High.
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| Preceded by: Sonny Bono | U.S. Representative from California's 45th Congressional District | Succeeded by: Incumbent |