Sharon Runner

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Sharon Runner (born May 17, 1954, Los Angeles) is a Californian politician. She has been a member of the California State Assembly since 2002. Runner, a Republican from Antelope Valley represents the 37th district. Before winning office, Sharon was a political activist, businesswoman, and mother. She is the wife of California State Senator George Runner.

1 Leadership and Committee Assignments
2 Legislation
3 Background
4 Connections to George W. Bush and Other Political Involvement
5 Local Republican Involvement
6 Background
7 Higher Education

[edit] Leadership and Committee Assignments

As a freshman, Sharon was appointed Assistant Republican Leader and the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. She is also the Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus, working with other elected Republican women to support and develop the voice of women in the Republican Party. In addition to her leadership positions, Sharon serves on the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee and the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee. As a conservative Legislator, Sharon has championed the causes of child safety, education, and parental rights.

[edit] Legislation

Assemblywoman Runner authored Assembly Bill 231 (Jessica’s Law). This comprehensive public safety measure is intended to protect children, as well as adults, from sexual predators by enhancing penalties, better tracking known criminals, and providing needed tools to law enforcement. Sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger, Jessica’s Law has received national media attention as the toughest measure in the country combating sex offenders.

[edit] Background

A native of the High Desert, Assemblywoman Runner was a businesswoman for many years. She founded The Runner Group, a public relations and marketing company. She also established Desert Christian Schools with her husband, George Runner, over 25 years ago and worked as the Director of Community Relations for the organization. Desert Christian Schools is one of the largest private schools in California with nearly 1,900 students on three separate campuses, pre-school through high school. Prior to Desert Christian Schools, Sharon was a licensed realtor and named “Realtor of the Year” with Red Carpet Real Estate Company.

[edit] Connections to George W. Bush and Other Political Involvement

During the 2004 Presidential Election, Ms. Runner served as the California Women’s Coalition Chair for the Bush Cheney Campaign. Sharon also helped direct the 2000 California Bush for President Campaign, serving as Regional Co-chair for the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. Her dedication and activism earned Sharon recognition by Senator Bob Dole and President George W. Bush, by whom she was appointed as a delegate to the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Republican National Conventions. Ms. Runner has also worked on ballot propositions and numerous local school bond campaigns and served as Co-Chair of the “No” on Proposition 52 campaign, which was successfully defeated.

[edit] Local Republican Involvement

Sharon was an officer for the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly and remains active in many Republican groups in the Antelope Valley, including the Palmdale and High Desert Republican Women’s Clubs. In addition to her political work, Assemblywoman Runner has volunteered her time on several boards and committees including the United Way, Antelope Valley Hospital Gift Foundation, Antelope Valley Crime Task Force, Healthy Homes Advisory Council, CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center and American Heart Association Heartwalk. She served for five years on the Board of Directors at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. California Governor Pete Wilson appointed Sharon to serve on the Antelope Valley Fair Board of Directors from 1998 to 2002, where she oversaw the operations of the 50th Agriculture District and managed its multi-million dollar budget. In 2002 Ms. Runner received the Woman of Distinction Award from Soroptomist International for her many achievements.

[edit] Background

Assemblywoman Runner attended local public schools, graduating from Antelope Valley High School. As a member of Grace Chapel in Lancaster for over thirty years, Ms. Runner has devoted many hours to teaching children and adults at the church. She is married to Senator George Runner who represents the 17th Senate District. Assemblywoman and Senator Runner are the first husband and wife in California history to serve concurrently in the Legislature. They are the parents of their 28-year-old son, Micah and 18-year-old daughter Rebekah.