Sharon Runner
Sharon Runner was a Republican member of the California State Senate, representing District 21 from a special election on March 17, 2015, to July 14, 2016.[1] She died following respiratory complications.[2]
Runner opted not to run for re-election in 2016 after her doctors advised her that continuing to campaign and serve would have adverse effects on her health. Runner received a double lung transplant in 2012.[3]
She previously served in the California State Senate, representing District 17 from 2011 to 2012. Runner was elected in a February 15, 2011, special election. The seat was formerly held by Runner's husband, George Runner (R), who resigned in December 2010 to take a position on the State Board of Equalization.[4]
Runner served in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008 and held the position of Assistant Republican Leader.
Biography
Runner was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Antelope Valley. In 1977, she became a co-founder of Desert Christian Schools, one of California's largest private schools. She went on to found The Runner Group, a public relations/marketing company. While serving in the assembly, Runner authored Jessica's Law which imposed new restrictions on sexual predators. After leaving the California State Assembly, Runner became vice-president of California Women Lead which provides bi-partisan support for women seeking public office. In addition, she serves as President of the board of California's Women's Leadership Association, and served as co-chair for Meg Whitman's gubernatorial campaign. She is married to her husband George Runner. She has two children.
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Runner served on these committees:
- Education Committee, California State Senate, Vice Chair
- Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, California State Senate
- Veterans Affairs Committee, California State Senate
Elections
2016
- See also: California State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the California State Senate 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.[5] Incumbent Sharon Runner (R) did not seek re-election.
Scott Wilk defeated Johnathon Ervin in the California State Senate District 21 general election.[6][7]
| California State Senate, District 21 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Scott Wilk |
52.83% | 160,043 | |
| Democratic | Johnathon Ervin | 47.17% | 142,886 | |
| Total Votes | 302,929 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
Scott Wilk and Johnathon Ervin defeated Steve Hill and Star Moffatt in the California State Senate District 21 Blanket primary.[8][9]
| California State Senate, District 21 Blanket Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Scott Wilk |
46.69% | 69,403 | |
| Democratic | Johnathon Ervin |
33.69% | 50,078 | |
| Democratic | Steve Hill | 11.93% | 17,735 | |
| Republican | Star Moffatt | 7.69% | 11,439 | |
| Total Votes | 148,655 | |||
2015
Sharon Runner (R) was unopposed in the primary election on March 17.[1] Because she was the only candidate, the special election on May 19 was called off.
The seat was vacant following Stephen Knight's (R) election to Congress.[10]
A special election for the position of California State Senate District 21 was initially called for May 19. A primary election took place on March 17, 2015. Because there was only one candidate, the special election scheduled for May 19 was not necessary. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 23, 2015.[11]
2011
Runner defeated Darren Parker (D) in the February 15 special election for California State Senate District 17.[12] Since only two candidates appeared on the ballot, Runner avoided the special runoff election originally scheduled for April 19.[13]
The election was the first to follow the new primary structure created by Proposition 14 which passed in June of 2010.[14][15] Under the new rules, all candidates will participate in a single primary with the top two candidates (unless one gets more than 50% of the vote) moving to a runoff in the general election. All registered voters may vote in the primary.
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.
Scorecards
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.
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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2025.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The Freedom Index — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2024.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Reproductive Freedom For All — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2023.
- ACLU California Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2022.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California YIMBY — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to housing.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- NARAL Pro-Choice California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- National Association of Social Workers California Chapter — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Planning and Conservation League — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The Institute for Legislative Analysis — Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.
- United Domestic Workers of America — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of home care providers.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2021.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California Teachers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
- California YIMBY — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to housing.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The People's Report Card of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on the organization's priority legislation.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2020.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Teachers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The People's Report Card of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on the organization's priority legislation.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2019.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Food and Farming Network — Legislators are scored on their votes on "policy that will support a healthy, just and resilient agriculture and food system."
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of consumers.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer-related issues.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The People's Report Card of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on the organization's priority legislation.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2018.
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) California — Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Food and Farming Network — Legislators are scored on their votes on "policy that will support a healthy, just and resilient agriculture and food system."
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California Manufacturers and Technology Association — Legislators are scored on "how they voted in accord with CMTA."
- California Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of consumers.
- California Teachers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on the association's position legislation.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Common Sense Kids Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of seniors.
- County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on behavioral health issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer related issues.
- League of California Cities — Legislators are scored on how they voted on bills related to the interests of California cities.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- The People's Report Card of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on the organization's priority legislation.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2017.
- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported by ACS CAN.
- American Council of Engineering Companies California — Legislators are scored on their votes on "issues important to the engineering and land surveying industry."
- American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) California — Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California Manufacturers and Technology Association — Legislators are scored on "how they voted in accord with CMTA."
- California Public Interest Research Group — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of consumers.
- California Republican Assembly — Legislators are scored on their votes on Republican issues.
- Children's Advocacy Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Common Sense Kids Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues pertaining to children.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of seniors.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of consumers.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to the interests of health care consumers.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer related issues.
- League of California Cities — Legislators are scored on how they voted on bills related to the interests of California cities.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Roots of Change — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to food and agriculture.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2016.
- American Council of Engineering Companies California — Legislators are scored by the American Council of Engineering Companies California on their votes on "issues important to the engineering and land surveying industry."
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Environmental Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California Manufacturers and Technology Association — Legislators are ranked on "how they voted in accord with CMTA."
- California Senior Congress — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to the interests of seniors.
- California Teachers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation.
- Drug Policy Forum of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to drug regulation policies.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Gun Owners of California — Legislators are scored based on their responses to a questionnaire asking about "their opinions on the importance of the 2nd Amendment."
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on how they voted on taxpayer related issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Secular Coalition for California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that the coalition took a position on.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues "that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles."
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2015.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Civil Liberties Advocacy — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil liberties.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California ProLife Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by CPC.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on senior issues.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on consumer issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored by Health Access California on how they voted in the session on "critical health policy legislation that impacts consumers, communities, patients and the public interest."
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Secular Coalition for California — Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Sharon + Runner + California + Senate
See also
- California State Legislature
- California State Senate
- California Senate Committees
- California state legislative districts
- State legislative special elections, 2015
- California State Senate District 21
External links
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions via Follow the Money
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 California Secretary of State, "Official candidate list," accessed January 28, 2015
- ↑ abc7.com, "California Republican Sen. Sharon Runner of Lancaster dies," accessed July 14, 2016
- ↑ The Santa Clarita Valley Signal, "Sen. Sharon Runner announces she will not seek re-election," March 10, 2016
- ↑ KHTS AM 1220, "Runner Resigns Today To Consolidate Election Process," December 21, 2010
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Gov. Brown calls special election for three vacant state Senate seats," January 13, 2015
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Special election calendar," accessed January 14, 2015
- ↑ Hermosa Beach Patch, "Few hats in the ring for Oropeza's state Senate seat," December 18, 2010
- ↑ LA Times, "Winners avoid runoffs in two special elections for California Senate," February 16, 2011
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Special Election Calendar"
- ↑ Redondo Beach Patch, "Feb. 15 Set for Special Election to Fill Oropeza's Seat," December 17, 2010
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Stephen Knight (R) |
California State Senate District 21 2015-2016 |
Succeeded by NA |
| Preceded by George Runner (R) |
California State Senate 17 2011–2012 |
Succeeded by Bill Monning (D) |
