Dave Cogdill

David Ellis Cogdill, Sr. (born December 31, 1950 in Long Beach, California) is a Republican politician who served as a State Senator from California's 14th State Senate district from December 2006 to December 2010. Cogdill is also the former California State Senate Republican Leader, a post he held for 10 months from 2008 until he was replaced by State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth early in the morning on February 18, 2009 amidst a contentious mid-year budget debate.

The 14th Senate District

The 14th District comprises all or a portion of Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties.

Background

Cogdill has been a resident of Modesto for 28 years where he has built his real estate appraisal business. He was first elected to public office in 1975 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Fire Protection District in Mono County. He has served on various boards and commissions in both the public and private sectors and served two terms on the Modesto City Council.

He and his wife of 37 years, Stephanie, have two children, David Jr. and Meghan, and two grandchildren, Connor and Kathleen.

State Assembly

Prior to being elected to the Senate, Cogdill represented the 25th District for six years in the California State Assembly. During that time, he served as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Rules. Cogdill also sat on the following committees: Budget, Agriculture, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Additionally, Cogdill acted as the Assembly Minority Floor leader and was responsible for coordinating Republican efforts on the Assembly Floor.

State Senate

Upon his election to the Senate in 2006, Cogdill was named Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee, the Revenue and Taxation Committee, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. He was also named a sitting member of the following committees: Budget and Fiscal Review; Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services; Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments; Human Services; Natural Resources and Water; Select Committee on Air Quality; and Joint Legislative Budget. Additionally, he was named as the Senate Minority Caucus Whip, a Republican leadership position responsible for coordinating Republican activities on the Senate Floor.

With his election as Senate Republican Leader in 2008, Cogdill stepped down as Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee (although he did remain a member of the committee); switched from the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services to the Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy; and left the Human Services Committee. He was succeeded as Caucus Whip by Senator Tom Harman. His other committee assignments and vice chairmanships were unchanged.

Shortly after midnight on the morning of February 18, 2009, after several days of late-night, contentious debates over closing a $42 billion gap in the state budget, Senate Republicans met in caucus where they voted to replace Cogdill with State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth. This removal was seen as influenced by Cogdill's joining with Democrats as a member of the "Sacramento Six" to raise vehicle license fees and taxes during the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.^[1]

Cogdill has focused his efforts in the legislature on economic development, strengthening public safety, keeping taxes low, improving air quality, and expanding water supply and storage opportunities. Cogdill worked to prevent businesses and agriculture from more taxes and regulations. As past Chair of the California State Legislature Rural Caucus, Cogdill worked on access to health care and quality education.

Cogdill was also the second largest taxpayer-funded gas card spender in the senate for 2010 costing $5,941.26^[2]

California Building Industry Association

Cogdill became president and CEO of the California Building Industry Association in October 2013. Cogdill previously received campaign contributions from the CBIA during his time in the Legislature.^[3][1]

Awards

• Friend of the Year Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• President's Award by the Stanislaus County YMCA
• "One Voice" Award by the Sacramento/Fresno Council of Governments
• Leadership Award by the Greater Area Fresno Chamber of Commerce
• "E" Award for Excellence by Leadership Modesto, an affiliate of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce
• Legislator of the Year for 2005 by the Associated Builders and Contractors
• Patti Mattingly Distinguished Legislative Award by the Regional Council of Rural Counties
• Assembly Member of the Year for 2003 and 2005 by the California State Sheriffs’ Association
• Legislative Leadership Award by the California Rural Health Association
• Legislator of the Year for 2003 and 2004 by the California Forestry Association
• Legislator of the Year by the California Mobilehome Parkowners’ Alliance
• Legislative Special Recognition Award by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Legislator of the Year by the California Women in Timber Association
• Modesto Man of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign War
• Distinguished Service Award by the Future Farmers of America
• Golden Trout Award for 2006 by California Trout

References