Age: 57
Job: Democrat, 15th Assembly District of California
Salary: $95,291
Family: Single mother of five adult children. All attended local public schools and all have graduated from college.; two grandchildren, a 3-year old granddaughter and a 6-month old grandson.
Background: Education is her passion. Neither of her parents graduated from high school. They were separated most of her childhood, and mom worked as a waitress to support four children. She stayed up late at night helping mom count her tips and watched her save $5, $10, $20 at a time for a down payment on a house – a very small house. It taught her the value of a dollar.
Education: Lowell High, San Francisco; Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from UC Santa Barbara; worked her way through school along with scholarships and loans.
Fun Fact: Growing up in San Francisco, became a fanatic 49er and Giants' fan; attended the game where Montana threw "the catch" to Clark in the 1981/82 playoffs leading to the Niners' first Super Bowl win.
Philosophy: A "realist" and "eternal optimist"; believes California can solve any problem through honesty and working together.
