Julie E. Adams

Adams is a native of Iowa City, Iowa.[1] She received a bachelor's degree in political science from Luther College in 1999, and a master's in education from the University of Iowa in 2002.[1] As an undergraduate, Adams participated a Luther College semester-long internship program in Washington, D.C., during which she interned with the Children's Defense Fund.[2]

After graduating from college, Adams took a break from working toward obtaining a teaching certificate to help run Iowa Rep. James Leach's congressional campaign.[3]

Following Leach's re-election, Adams went to Washington, D.C., where she served for 17 months as an aide to First Lady Laura Bush, before joining the staff of then-Senate Majority Whip, Mitch McConnell, as deputy communications director in 2003.[1]

From September 2007 to January 2009, Adams worked in the East Wing of the White House Office as a spokesperson for First Lady Laura Bush.[1] Adams then served six years as director of administration and member relations for Senate Majority Leader McConnell.[1]

Adams began her term as the 33rd Secretary of the Senate on January 6, 2015, during the 114th Congress.[4][5] She is the seventh woman to hold the position.[1]