Jo-Anne L. Coe
Encyclopedia
Jo-Anne L. Coe was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the United States Senate
(1985-87), appointed by Bob Dole
during his term as Senate Majority Leader in 1985. After serving in this capacity, she founded and directed Senator Dole's Political Action Committee, Campaign America. When Senator Dole formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee in January 1995, she was appointed Finance Director and also served as acting campaign Manager until campaign manager Scott Reed joined the campaign staff. She continued in the role of Finance Director of the Dole's campaign committee (ref: United States presidential election, 1996
) until she had raised the maximum allowable under federal campaign law, after which she transferred to the Republican National Committee
as deputy finance chairman. A legendary powerhouse in the Washington fundraising community, after the campaign she became Senator Dole's Chief of Staff and assisted in raising money for the National World War II Memorial
, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
, and numerous other non-profit groups in which Senator Dole has taken a leadership role, as well as for Republican political candidates.
She was born Jo-Anne Lee Johnson in Coronado, California, daughter of Admiral Roy L. Johnson
, former Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet
(1965-67) and the former Margaret Louise Gross. While in college, she was briefly married to Benjamin Plaisted Coe and had one daughter, Kathryn Coe Coombs (1953-2011), who was married to British Member of Parliament Simon Coombs
from 1983-2002.
Secretary of the United States Senate
The Secretary of the Senate is an elected officer of the United States Senate. The Secretary supervises an extensive array of offices and services to expedite the day-to-day operations of that body...
(1985-87), appointed by Bob Dole
Bob Dole
Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole is an American attorney and politician. Dole represented Kansas in the United States Senate from 1969 to 1996, was Gerald Ford's Vice Presidential running mate in the 1976 presidential election, and was Senate Majority Leader from 1985 to 1987 and in 1995 and 1996...
during his term as Senate Majority Leader in 1985. After serving in this capacity, she founded and directed Senator Dole's Political Action Committee, Campaign America. When Senator Dole formed a Presidential Exploratory Committee in January 1995, she was appointed Finance Director and also served as acting campaign Manager until campaign manager Scott Reed joined the campaign staff. She continued in the role of Finance Director of the Dole's campaign committee (ref: United States presidential election, 1996
United States presidential election, 1996
The United States presidential election of 1996 was a contest between the Democratic national ticket of President Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Vice President Al Gore of Tennessee and the Republican national ticket of former Senator Bob Dole of Kansas for President and former Housing Secretary Jack...
) until she had raised the maximum allowable under federal campaign law, after which she transferred to the Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
as deputy finance chairman. A legendary powerhouse in the Washington fundraising community, after the campaign she became Senator Dole's Chief of Staff and assisted in raising money for the National World War II Memorial
National World War II Memorial
The U.S. National World War II Memorial is a National Memorial dedicated to Americans who served in the armed forces and as civilians during World War II...
, the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is housed at the University of Kansas. It was founded by former U.S. Senator from Kansas and presidential candidate Bob Dole. Opened on July 22, 2003 , the institute's $11 million, facility houses Dole's papers and hosts frequent political events...
, and numerous other non-profit groups in which Senator Dole has taken a leadership role, as well as for Republican political candidates.
She was born Jo-Anne Lee Johnson in Coronado, California, daughter of Admiral Roy L. Johnson
Roy L. Johnson
Admiral Roy Lee Johnson served as Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, from 1965–1967. In his previous post as Commander, United States Seventh Fleet, he gave the orders to the and to return fire, in what became known as the Gulf of Tonkin Incident...
, former Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
(1965-67) and the former Margaret Louise Gross. While in college, she was briefly married to Benjamin Plaisted Coe and had one daughter, Kathryn Coe Coombs (1953-2011), who was married to British Member of Parliament Simon Coombs
Simon Coombs
Simon Christopher Coombs , is a former British Conservative politician.Coombs was MP for Swindon from 1983 until 1997 when the seat was divided by boundary changes. Coombs stood in the new Swindon South seat but lost to Labour's Julia Drown...
from 1983-2002.