Ken Cooley

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Ken Cooley
Democratic Party
Prior offices:
California State Assembly District 8
Years in office: 2012 - 2022
Successor: Jim Patterson (R)
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 8, 2022
Education
Bachelor's
University of California, Berkeley, 1977
Law
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1984
Contact
Campaign website
Campaign Facebook
Campaign X
Campaign Instagram
Personal Facebook
Personal LinkedIn

Ken Cooley (Democratic Party) was a member of the California State Assembly, representing District 8. He assumed office on December 3, 2012. He left office on December 5, 2022.

Cooley (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the California State Assembly to represent District 7. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Cooley formerly was a candidate for the 2011 special election to District 1 of the California State Senate.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Cooley earned his B.A. in political science from University of California Berkeley in 1977 and his J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1984. His professional experience includes working as the mayor of Rancho Cordova, a role he began in 2002. Cooley also worked as a staff member for Assemblyman Louis J. Papan from 1977 to 1985. He went on to practice law for three years, until returning to the Assembly as chief counsel to the Assembly's Finance and Insurance Committee. From 1991 until his retirement in 2008, he worked as legal counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. At State Farm, he specialized in law and policy formation as it relates to homeowners, renter, drivers, and business operations. In 2009, he began working for the state Senate, serving as principal consultant to the Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee. Cooley began living in Rancho Cordova in 1977 with his wife Sydney. They have two sons.[1]

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Cooley was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Cooley was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

California committee assignments, 2017
• Governmental Organization
• Insurance
• Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security
• Rules, Chair
• Rules, Chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Cooley served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Cooley served on the following committees:

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2022

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2022

General election

General election for California State Assembly District 7

Josh Hoover defeated incumbent Ken Cooley in the general election for California State Assembly District 7 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover (R)
 
50.4
 
83,768
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
49.6
 
82,385

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 166,153
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 7

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Josh Hoover defeated Raymond Riehle, Jeffrey Perrine, and Quintin Levesque in the primary for California State Assembly District 7 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
50.9
 
56,949
✔
Image of Josh Hoover
Josh Hoover (R)
 
34.0
 
38,001
Image of Raymond Riehle
Raymond Riehle (R) Candidate Connection
 
8.4
 
9,429
Image of Jeffrey Perrine
Jeffrey Perrine (R)
 
5.6
 
6,214
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Quintin Levesque (R)
 
1.1
 
1,249

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 111,842
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance

2020

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2020

General election

General election for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Cathy Cook in the general election for California State Assembly District 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
55.1
 
126,969
Image of Cathy Cook
Cathy Cook (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.9
 
103,496

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 230,465
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Cathy Cook advanced from the primary for California State Assembly District 8 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
57.0
 
73,444
✔
Image of Cathy Cook
Cathy Cook (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.0
 
55,376

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 128,820
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2018

General election

General election for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Melinda Avey in the general election for California State Assembly District 8 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
55.8
 
95,450
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Melinda Avey (R)
 
44.2
 
75,742

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 171,192
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Melinda Avey defeated Janice Bonser and Lawrence Ray Murray in the primary for California State Assembly District 8 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ken Cooley
Ken Cooley (D)
 
53.9
 
53,490
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Melinda Avey (R)
 
41.1
 
40,792
Image of Janice Bonser
Janice Bonser (L)
 
3.0
 
3,017
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Lawrence Ray Murray (Independent)
 
2.0
 
2,025

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 99,324
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2016

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[2]

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Nick Bloise in the California State Assembly District 8 general election.[3][4]

California State Assembly, District 8 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Ken Cooley Incumbent 57.01% 104,552
     Republican Nick Bloise 42.99% 78,848
Total Votes 183,400
Source: California Secretary of State


Incumbent Ken Cooley and Nick Bloise defeated Janice Marlae Bonser in the California State Assembly District 8 Blanket primary.[5][6]

California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Ken Cooley Incumbent 58.25% 61,704
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Nick Bloise 34.58% 36,630
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 7.16% 7,588
Total Votes 105,922

2014

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2014

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Ken Cooley (D) and Douglas Haaland (R) defeated Janice Marlae Bonser (L) in the blanket primary. Cooley defeated Haaland in the general election.[7][8][9]

California State Assembly, District 8, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley Incumbent 56.7% 62,892
     Republican Douglas Haaland 43.3% 48,057
Total Votes 110,949
California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley Incumbent 51.8% 35,294
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDouglas Haaland 41.1% 28,049
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 7.1% 4,830
Total Votes 68,173

Endorsements

In 2014, Cooley's endorsements included the following:[10]

  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen
  • Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
  • American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO
  • Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
  • California Federation of Teachers, AFT AFL-CIO
  • SEIU California
  • California School Employees Association
  • California Democratic Party
  • Professional Engineers in California Government
  • Association of California State Supervisors
  • California Association of Professional Scientists
  • California State Retirees
  • Sacramento County Asian-Pacific Islander Democratic Club
  • Youth Connections Unlimited Sacramento

2012

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2012

Cooley won election in the 2012 election for California State Assembly, District 8. He advanced past the June 5, 2012 blanket primary, defeating John Thomas Flynn (R), Barbara Ortega (R), Philip Tufi (R), and Janice Marlae Bonser (L). Cooley defeated Peter Tateishi (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[11][12][13]

California State Assembly, District 8, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley 54.3% 92,630
     Republican Peter Tateishi 45.7% 78,006
Total Votes 170,636
California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley 42.6% 33,034
     Republican John Thomas Flynn 6.3% 4,853
     Republican Barbara Ortega 20.1% 15,592
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Tateishi 23.5% 18,237
     Republican Philip Tufi 3.1% 2,424
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 4.3% 3,368
Total Votes 77,508

2011

See also: State legislative special elections, 2011; California state legislative special elections, 2011

Cooley was defeated by Republican Ted Gaines in the January 4, 2011 special election to California State Senate District 1.[14]

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ken Cooley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Ken Cooley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2011

Cooley's 2011 special election campaign site emphasized several key policy positions and campaign themes:

  • Jobs: "I know this election is about jobs. Still, I see a more fundamental need. California needs what we’ve lost -- a Legislature known for problem-solving instead of personal attacks. As your Senator, I’ll work on jobs. But job creation will lag, and families will suffer, until our Legislature regains a reputation for productive work, including on-time State Budgets. I pledge myself to work daily on jobs and restoring the Legislature’s honor."
  • A Respected Leader: "I'm known statewide. Between 2004 and 2009, city officials from Modoc to Sacramento County helped me become the #2 officer for California’s League of Cities. I’m also a respected voice in the Capitol. In 2007 the Governor appointed me with Senate confirmation as Seismic Commissioner for California’s cities."
  • Budget: "My home and work have made conservative financial principles a lifetime habit. This common sense way for my Church bookkeeper wife and I to manage our home was refined, along with my finance analysis skills, during 18 years as Counsel to State Farm Insurance, one of America’s most conservative financial institutions. Finally, I know that when government honors its trust, everyone gains. Rancho Cordova, which has balanced every budget, with yearly surpluses, last year earned a higher credit rating, despite the recession!"

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Ken Cooley campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022California State Assembly District 7Lost general$4,777,701 $4,088,383
2020California State Assembly District 8Won general$523,709 N/A**
2016California State Assembly, District 8Won $656,566 N/A**
2014California State Assembly, District 8Won $1,403,358 N/A**
2012California State Assembly, District 8Won $4,112,876 N/A**
2011California State Senate, District 1Lost $16,599 N/A**
2002California State Assembly, District 10Lost $37,979 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in California

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of California scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.




2022

In 2022, the California State Legislature was in session from January 3 to August 31.

Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of home care providers.


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014


2013


2012

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External links

Candidate

California State Assembly District 7
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ kencooley.com, "Biography," accessed March 13, 2014
    2. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
    3. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
    4. ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
    5. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
    6. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
    7. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 27, 2014
    8. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed July 15, 2014
    9. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 14, 2014
    10. ↑ kencooley.com, "Endorsements," accessed May 8, 2014
    11. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed March 13, 2014
    12. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed March 13, 2014
    13. ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General election results," accessed March 13, 2014
    14. ↑ Roseville Press-Tribune, "Ted Gaines wins Senate race," January 4, 2010

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		California State Assembly District 8
    2012-2022    		 Succeeded by
    Jim Patterson (R)


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