She grew up just outside of Miami's Little Havana. Her dad, a store manager, sickened, lost his job, his health insurance, and died while Mary was in high school. She learned what it was like when life is tough. She worked in fast food. She worked as a maid, dishwasher, waitress, bartender. She remembers the low wages, she remembers the sexual harassment. She was fortunate in her mother -- who was a military veteran and could provide some support. She was fortunate in her talent and her drive. She went to the University of Miami intending to learn how to conduct an orchestra. She got a law degree instead. She become a federal public defender She was elected to Florida's state court -- the state's eleventh circuit.

David Shapiro's father prospered building houses during Florida's continuing housing boom. David Shapiro went to law school. He stayed local. He thrived, as well. Despite his prosperity, no one accuses him of being a member of the elite. He is a personal injury lawyer; has been for over thirty years. The firm has ten offices on the West Coast of Florida none in New York or Washington. Personal injury lawyers are rarely accused of being members of the elite.

Lauren Baer s a product of a Florida furniture family. She went to Harvard and graduated magna cum laude. She won a Marshall and went to Oxford. She went to Yale Law School. There are lots of opportunities for someone with that kind of pedigree. She clerked in the 2nd circuit of the US Court of Appeals and became an associate at Wilmer Hale doing international work. Lauren Baer worked for Hillary Clinton's and John Kerry's State Department. While working for Madeiline Albright in the private sector, she geared up for a Congressional Campaign.