Jackie Speier

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California State Senator Jackie Speier
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California State Senator Jackie Speier

Jackie Speier is a former Democratic member of the California State Senate representing San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.

Contents

[edit] Jonestown

Jackie Speier was a congressional staff person for Congressman Leo Ryan, she was part of the November 18, 1978, fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Reverend Jim Jones and his Peoples Temple followers in Jonestown. While the investigative team was boarding the plane to leave, they were fired at by Jones' followers. Five people died, including Ryan. Speier was shot five times, waited for 22 hours for help to arrive and survived. That same day many of the remaining members of Jim Jones' cult committed mass suicide/murder. Over 900 people died that day and it remains the most massive cult mass suicide and murder (as some victims were children and others were forced to participate). The investigative trip was initiated by the father of a child member as well as other concerned family of members.

Speier's political career began with an unsuccessful run to fill the vacancy left by Congressman Ryan after his murder in Jonestown. The Jonestown experience left her with a commitment to serve and she has remained in political office since then.

[edit] Political Career

  • Speier was first elected in 1980 as a San Mateo County Supervisor.
  • Re-elected in 1984 she served as Chair of San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.
  • In 1994, she was nominated in a dual party nomination by both Republicans and Democrats for the State Assembly. A Dual nomination has only occurred twice in California history. This dual party nomination was a tribute to her popularity and taking on issues that were of concern to California's citizens such as breast feeding and privacy rights.
  • Speier was serving in the State Assembly when her husband Dr. Steven Sierra was killed in an automobile accident. At the time of his death she was pregnant with their second child. She was the first member of the California Legislature to give birth while in office. After being termed out she worked two jobs in the private sector, to support her two children.
  • Speier had been making a bid for Secretary of State at that time.
  • Speier returned to public service, and was elected in 1998 as a California State Senator.
  • In 2006 Speier ran in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant governor of California against insurance commissioner John Garamendi and state senator Liz Figueroa. At the June 6, 2006 elections, Speier was defeated by Garamendi in a close race. John Garamendi received 42.9%, Speier received 39.3%, Liz Figueroa received 17.8% of the vote.

[edit] Education

[edit] Family

  • Jackie Speier has two children by her late husband Dr. Steven Sierra, Jackson, age 18, and Stephanie Sierra, age 12.
  • She is married to Barry Dennis.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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