His father, Modhaffer Khalaf Al-Chokhachy, was born in Kadhimain, Iraq. His mother, Carolyn (Coombs), is from a Massachusetts family, of English (from her own father) and Finnish (from her own mother) descent.
Worked for a congressman in 1990 and has a degree in Political Science
Devoted to animal rights.
Is on the board of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.