Elaine Alquist

As a proud Greek mother, as a new grandmother, as an educator, as a businesswoman, and as the chair of the Higher Education Committee, Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist, D-Silicon Valley, has invested decades of consistent advocacy to build a better future for California's women, children, families, and seniors.

On November 5, 1996, after eight years of service on the Cupertino School Board, Elaine Kontominas Alquist became the first Greek-American woman elected to the California State Legislature. Elaine, a Democrat, is now the veteran member of Santa Clara County's Assembly delegation. Elaine has worked hard to represent all residents, regardless of party registration. In November, 2000 she was re-elected with 67.6% of the vote. Elaine is honored to represent the people of Silicon Valley!

Assemblywoman Alquist has an outstanding record of writing successful legislation. She is in the top ten Assemblymembers with the most bills signed into law.

In 2001, Elaine successfully fought for the rights of young children and women by authoring AB 78, "Maricela's Law." This legislation strengthens the law relating to rape and child molestation cases and provides options for child victims who come forward after a statute of limitations has expired.

As a former Algebra and Trigonometry teacher, Assemblywoman Alquist understands the importance of prepared teachers and strong parent involvement in education. Elaine's bill AB 902 will provide more experienced math and science teachers for our children. She also has introduced legislation (AB 1239) "Vamos a Leer" - Reach Out and Read, a statewide program which helps and encourages parents to teach their children to read.

Assemblywoman Alquist is the chair of the State Assembly's Higher Education Committee and co-vice chair of the Joint Committee to Develop a Master Plan for Education - Kindergarten through University. These important committees are responsible for drafting legislation to strengthen California's education system for many decades ahead. Elaine also chairs the Select Committee on the Aging of Baby Boomers, and has led many committees during her service in Sacramento. As chair of the Information Technology Committee, Assemblywoman Alquist was proud to blow the whistle on the dysfunctional Statewide Automated Child Support System that wasted millions of taxpayer dollars each year.

Elaine currently serves as a member of many influential Assembly committees and statewide commissions including:

• Appropriations
• Banking and Finance
• Education
• Revenue and Taxation
• Select Committee on the Aerospace Industry
• Select Committee on Community Colleges/School-to-Career
• Commission on the Status of Women
• California Seismic Safety Commission

The daughter of a Greek immigrant, Elaine earned a BA in Mathematics from MacMurray College in Illinois at the age of 21, where she would later be honored as Distinguished Alumna of the Year. At the age of 22, she received an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, where she graduated with honors. Assemblywoman Alquist is the proud mother of two grown sons and is ecstatic to be the grandmother (or Yia-Yia) to new granddaughter Jasmine. Elaine lives in Santa Clara with her husband, Retired State Senator Al Alquist. She continues to honor her Greek heritage as a member of Philoptochos and the Daughters of Penelope and she serves as honorary chair of the Modern Greek Studies Foundation.

Elaine has received numerous awards for her dedicated public service. She has been recognized as an outstanding legislator and an effective advocate by many California and national organizations.

Assemblywoman Alquist has been nationally recognized for her outstanding leadership abilities. She has been elected the chair of the Council of State Governments West, which is a nonpartisan organization for state legislators dedicated to providing a platform for regional cooperation and collaboration among the 13 western states and Guam.