As Secretary of State, Debra has made bold strides and become a national leader in the movement to restore integrity to our election systems. In 2008, she was recognized for this leadership with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award, the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants who choose principles over partisanship.

During her 14 years in the California Legislature, Debra Bowen was a pioneer in government reform, consumer protection and privacy rights, environmental conservation, equality for women, open government, and election integrity.