Early Life and Education of Liz Cheney: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Liz Cheney. A timeline of key moments.

Liz Cheney is an American attorney and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. Rising to the third-highest position in House Republican leadership, she is largely known for her conservative stance and, more recently, for her outspoken criticism of Donald Trump. This opposition led to her removal from her leadership role in the House Republican Conference. Post-congressional career, she became a professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 28, 1966: Elizabeth Lynne Cheney Born

On July 28, 1966, Elizabeth Lynne Cheney was born. She would later become a prominent attorney and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Father's Congressional Seat

From 1979 her father had held the same seat she was later elected to.

1979: Her father represented Wyoming

From 1979 her father represented Wyoming in the House.

1984: Graduated from McLean High School

In 1984, Liz Cheney graduated from McLean High School in suburban Washington, D.C.

1989: Father's Congressional Seat

In 1989 her father no longer held the same seat she was later elected to.

1989: Her father's representation ended

In 1989 her father was no longer representing Wyoming in the House.

1989: Worked for State Department

In 1989, Liz Cheney began working for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development.

1993: Joined Armitage Associates LLP

After 1993, Liz Cheney took a job at Armitage Associates LLP, a consulting firm founded by Richard Armitage.

1993: Marriage to Philip Perry

In 1993, Liz Cheney married Philip Perry in Wyoming.

1996: Received JD from University of Chicago

In 1996, Liz Cheney received her JD from the University of Chicago Law School.

2002: Appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of State

In 2002, Liz Cheney was appointed deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.

2003: Left State Department Post

In 2003, Liz Cheney left her State Department post to work for the Bush–Cheney 2004 reelection campaign.

2004: Middle East Project Budget

For the budget year 2004, the Middle East project sought $145 million.

2004: Campaign Initiative

In 2004, Liz Cheney participated in the Bush-Cheney campaign's "W Stands for Women" initiative.

February 14, 2005: Returns to State Department

On February 14, 2005, Liz Cheney returned to the U.S. State Department as principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs and coordinator for broader Middle East and North Africa initiatives.

March 2006: Headed Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group

In March 2006, Liz Cheney headed the Iran Syria Policy and Operations Group (ISOG) within the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

April 2006: Critical Article in The New York Times

In April 2006, The New York Times published a story critical of Liz Cheney's work, particularly regarding Iran.

June 2007: Co-Chair of Fred Thompson's Campaign

In June 2007, Liz Cheney signed on as one of three national co-chairs of Fred Thompson's 2008 presidential campaign.

2008: Advisor to Mitt Romney

In 2008, after Thompson dropped out of the race, Liz Cheney joined Mitt Romney's presidential campaign as a senior foreign policy advisor.

October 2009: Launched Keep America Safe

In October 2009, Liz Cheney, William Kristol, and Deborah Burlingame launched Keep America Safe.

2009: Keep America Safe Founded

In 2009, Liz Cheney and Bill Kristol founded Keep America Safe, a nonprofit organization focused on national security issues.

2010: Comparison to Bob Inglis Defeat

Liz Cheney's margin of defeat in 2022 was the second-worst for a House incumbent in the last 60 years, behind that of South Carolina Republican Bob Inglis in a 2010 primary runoff.

January 2012: Contributor for Fox News

In January 2012, Liz Cheney was hired as a contributor for Fox News.

2012: Move to Wyoming

In 2012, Liz Cheney moved to Wyoming.

2012: Purchased Home in Wyoming

In 2012, prior to running for Senate, Liz Cheney purchased a home in Wyoming.

July 2013: Contract Terminated by Fox News

In July 2013, Fox News terminated Liz Cheney's contract after she started her 2014 bid for the Senate in Wyoming.

July 16, 2013: Launched Senate Campaign

On July 16, 2013, Liz Cheney launched a run for the Senate in 2014 from Wyoming as a Republican.

January 6, 2014: Withdrew from Senate Race

On January 6, 2014, Liz Cheney withdrew from the Senate race, citing family health issues.

2014: Senate Candidacy Withdrawal

In 2014, Liz Cheney briefly ran for the U.S. Senate in Wyoming but withdrew before the election.

2014: Senate Run

In 2014, Liz Cheney wanted to run for the Senate in Wyoming.

2015: Cynthia Lummis Retired

In 2015, Cynthia Lummis retired, creating the vacancy Liz Cheney sought to fill.

February 1, 2016: Launched Campaign for House Seat

On February 1, 2016, Liz Cheney launched a campaign for Wyoming's House seat after Cynthia Lummis retired.

2016: Election to House of Representatives

In 2016, Liz Cheney was elected to the House of Representatives, holding the seat once held by her father.

January 3, 2017: Sworn into Office

On January 3, 2017, Liz Cheney was sworn into office as a U.S. Representative.

2017: Cheney Represented Wyoming

In 2017, Liz Cheney began representing Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

May 2019: Comments on Strzok Texts

In May 2019, Liz Cheney commented that Peter Strzok's texts sounded like a "coup".

June 2019: Criticized Ocasio-Cortez

In June 2019, Liz Cheney criticized Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for comparing immigrant holding centers to "concentration camps".

August 2019: Comments on Greater Yellowstone

In August 2019, Liz Cheney stated that the litigation to return the grizzly bear in Greater Yellowstone to the Endangered Species Act "was not based on science or facts".