Former U.S. Congresswoman Susan Molinari (born 1958), the highest ranking woman elected to a position of leadership in the House of Representatives (as vice chair of the Republican Conference, 1996), left politics in 1997 for a career in television broadcasting.

Susan Molinari seemed destined for politics. Her grandfather, S. Robert Molinari, was a member of the New York State Assembly and her father, Guy V. Molinari, was a member of Congress and Staten Island Borough President. In 1996, shortly before Molinari quit, she had reached a high point in her political career as the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention. She was hailed as one of the bright new stars on the Republican political scene by many, including such periodicals as Time.

Growing Up Political

Susan Molinari was born in Staten Island, New York, on March 27, 1958, to Guy V. and Marguerite (Wing) Molinari. As a child, she attended political rallies...