Elizabeth New grew up in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science from Western Washington University. That's where her newspaper career began, writing political opinion columns for The Bellingham Herald. 

After graduation, Elizabeth became the communications director for the Washington Family Council, crafting legislative testimony, press releases and articles on various state policies. She was recruited away by The Columbian newspaper in Southwest Washington, serving a decade as an editorial board member and columnist, winning several Society of Professional Journalists awards. Elizabeth enjoyed another 10 years as a political columnist for The Oregonian. 

A firm believer in free-market principles as the best path to prosperity and individual opportunity, Elizabeth has built her career advocating for policies that promote economic freedom and limited government. She also has experience as an adjunct professor at Washington State University Vancouver.

Her volunteer work has included prison outreach, public school involvement, writing for her neighborhood association and participating in community cleanups. She lives in Vancouver, Washington.