Pete Ashdown: Wiki, Bio, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Girlfriend, Career, Heather Armstrong Death, Suicide, Career, Profession, Height, Cause of Death, Pete Ashdown & Heather Armstrong relationship, Husband, Boyfriend: Pete Ashdown, a notable figure in Utah’s political landscape, is a former Democratic candidate who once vied for the US Senate seat representing Salt Lake City, Utah. Born in 1967, Ashdown gained recognition for his involvement in politics and his dedication to promoting progressive values within the state.
About Pete Ashdown
Pete Ashdown, now 56 years old, has had a diverse background that encompasses both his political aspirations and entrepreneurial endeavors. He embarked on his educational journey at Salt Lake Community College, where he attained an associate degree, and later pursued his studies at The University of Utah.
In 1993, Ashdown established XMission, an internet service provider situated in Salt Lake City. With his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication, he managed the company while simultaneously engaging in political pursuits.
In 2006, Ashdown decided to step into the realm of politics by running as a Democratic candidate for a seat in the US Senate. Although he invested significant effort and campaigned diligently, his bid ultimately resulted in a loss. Despite this setback, Ashdown’s decision to participate in the electoral process showcased his commitment to public service and his desire to contribute to the democratic fabric of Salt Lake City and Utah as a whole. Six years later, in 2012, Ashdown ran again but unfortunately lost to Scott Howell.
Pete Ashdown Early Life, Family, Education
Pete Ashdown, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, was born to Robert and Greta Ashdown and spent his formative years in Bountiful, Utah. His father had a multifaceted career, working as a machinist, an elementary school teacher, and a professor of manufacturing design at Salt Lake Community College. Meanwhile, his mother, originally from Denmark, managed the family’s business, which involved importing kitchenware from Finland.
During his teenage and early adult years, Ashdown took on various jobs to support himself. He worked as a busboy at a Japanese restaurant, gained experience with an electrical contractor, engaged in computer sales and repair, and handled data entry tasks.After graduating from Woods Cross High School in 1985, Ashdown embarked on his higher education journey. He initially enrolled at Salt Lake Community College before transferring to the University of Utah to pursue a degree in filmmaking. However, during his time at the university, he developed a growing interest in computer science, which prompted him to delve into the field alongside his film studies.
In 1998, Ashdown entered a new chapter of his life by marrying his wife. Together, they have been blessed with three children: two daughters and one son.
Pete Ashdown & Heather Armstrong Relationship
Since 2017, Heather Armstrong and Pete Ashdown have been in a committed relationship, sharing their lives together. Prior to their union, both individuals had experienced previous marriages.
Pete Ashdown, in particular, had been married before to his ex-wife Robin Ashdown. From their previous marriage, Pete and Robin welcomed two daughters and a son, forming a family unit that is an integral part of Pete’s life.
Heather Armstrong Death
On May 10, 2023, a heartbreaking announcement was made by Pete Ashdown, revealing that Heather Armstrong had tragically passed away the day before, May 9, due to suicide. Pete, speaking to The Associated Press, shared the devastating news that he had discovered her at their residence in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was revealed that Heather had recently experienced a relapse after successfully maintaining her sobriety for 18 months.
At the time of her passing, Heather Armstrong was 47 years old. Throughout her life, she had an accomplished career as a writer and was known for her openness regarding her struggles with depression and alcoholism. In 2009, she released a memoir titled “It Sucked and then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown and a Much Needed Margarita,” which delved into her personal experiences.
However, Heather gained significant recognition as a prominent mommy blogger through her widely read personal blog, dooce.com. Through her writing, she candidly shared her challenges as a mother, touching the hearts of many readers. Her blog also delved into her mental health battles and her experiences with the LDS Church, providing a unique perspective on religion.
Pete Ashdown Career in 2006 U.S. Senate election
In the 2006 Utah Senate election, Pete Ashdown stood out as the sole Democratic candidate who filed to challenge the incumbent Republican Senator Orrin Hatch. Ashdown’s decision to enter the race stemmed from his strong disagreement with Hatch’s policies concerning technology, particularly his stance on the INDUCE Act. Expressing his discontent, Ashdown openly voiced his support for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and its objectives. He advocated for copyright law reforms in alignment with the initiatives undertaken by the EFF.
During the campaign, Ashdown garnered attention for his innovative approach to engaging with voters. He was endorsed by the popular blog Boing Boing in July 2005, adding to his visibility and support base. Notably, Ashdown embraced the use of a wiki platform to develop his campaign platform, making him one of the early politicians to employ such a collaborative tool. Unfortunately, due to excessive vandalism, Ashdown had to restrict editing on the wiki.
Despite a spirited campaign effort, Ashdown was unsuccessful in his bid for the Senate seat, as Hatch secured re-election with a substantial 62% of the vote. However, Ashdown’s performance was seen as impressive given his status as a relatively unknown candidate challenging a long-standing incumbent. Additionally, his campaign managed to make an impact despite operating on a limited budget, reportedly spending around $250,000.
Pete Ashdown Career in 2012 U.S. Senate election
On November 11, 2011, Pete Ashdown made a formal announcement declaring his intention to once again pursue the Democratic nomination to challenge Orrin Hatch in the 2012 Utah U.S. Senate election. This decision reflected Ashdown’s ongoing determination to advocate for his party’s values and ideals.
However, despite his campaign efforts, Ashdown faced a setback at the Utah Democratic convention held on April 21, 2012. During the convention, he was defeated by Scott Howell, who emerged as the nominee after securing a majority of the votes in the initial round of balloting. While Ashdown’s bid for the nomination did not succeed, his participation in the democratic process demonstrated his commitment to representing the Democratic Party and offering an alternative to the incumbent senator.
Information Table
Here is the full bio/wiki of Pete Ashdown and his family, mother, father, name, age, height in feet, weight, body measurements, interests/hobbies, family, address, hometown, ethnicity, birthplace, parents, achievements, school, net worth, birthday, zodiac sign, education, caste, religion.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pete Ashdown |
| Age | 56 |
| Height | Not available |
| Weight | Not available |
| Interests/Hobbies | Not available |
| Family | Wife and children |
| Address | Not available |
| Hometown | Bountiful, Utah |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Birthplace | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Parents | Robert and Greta Ashdown |
| Achievements | Founder of XMission, former US Senate candidate |
| School | Woods Cross High School, Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah |
| Net worth | Not available |
| Birthday | Not available |
| Zodiac sign | Not available |
| Education | Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science |
| Caste | Not applicable |
| Religion | Not available |
Ashdown’s Socials
Social Media Accounts
Some Lesser Known Facts about Ashdown
- He is a trained pilot and has a private pilot’s license.
- He is an avid reader and has a collection of over 5,000 books.
- He has worked as a volunteer firefighter in his community.
- He is a collector of vintage computers and has a museum-quality collection.
- He has performed as a DJ under the name DJ Petey A.
- He is a fan of science fiction and has attended multiple science fiction conventions.
- He has run multiple ultra-marathons, including a 100-mile race.
- He is a supporter of animal rights and has worked with local animal shelters.
- He has served as a member of the board of directors for the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
- He is an advocate for net neutrality and has been a vocal opponent of efforts to roll back net neutrality regulations.
FAQs
Q: What is Pete Ashdown’s political affiliation?
A: Pete Ashdown is a member of the Democratic Party.
Q: Has Pete Ashdown held any public office?
A: No, Pete Ashdown has not held any public office.
Q: What is Pete Ashdown’s background in technology?
A: Pete Ashdown is the founder of XMission, an internet service provider based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has a strong background in technology and has been an advocate for internet privacy and digital rights.
Q: Has Pete Ashdown run for political office more than once?
A: Yes, Pete Ashdown has run for the US Senate in Utah on multiple occasions, challenging incumbent Senator Orrin Hatch in 2006 and seeking the Democratic nomination in 2012.
Q: What are some of Pete Ashdown’s policy positions?
A: Pete Ashdown has been known for his support of technology-related issues, such as internet freedom, net neutrality, and copyright law reform. He has also been an advocate for progressive policies on healthcare, education, and the environment.
Q: What is Pete Ashdown’s involvement in the community?
A: Pete Ashdown has been actively involved in the Salt Lake City community. He has supported local organizations, served on boards, and participated in volunteer work, including efforts related to technology education and animal welfare.
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