Mary Bono is an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for California's 45th congressional district from 1998 to 2013. She first entered Congress after winning the special election to succeed her late husband, entertainer and politician Sonny Bono. During her tenure in the House of Representatives, she was a member of the Republican Party and focused on issues such as intellectual property rights, energy policy, and prescription drug abuse. After leaving Congress, she has worked as a consultant and principal for a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm.