Joel Anderson

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Joel Anderson
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 77th district
In office
2006–present
Personal details
Born (1960-02-11) February 11, 1960 (age 64)
Detroit, Michigan
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKate
Children3
Alma materCalifornia State Polytechnic University
ProfessionPolitician

Joel Anderson (born February 11, 1960 in Detroit, Michigan) is a California politician. He is currently a member of the California Assembly. He represents the 77th Assembly District that encompasses East San Diego County, including all or portions of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Jamul, Lakeside, Ramona, Alpine, Borrego Springs, and the City of San Diego and also El Dorado. He was elected to his first term in November 2006 on the Republican ticket. Anderson graduated from Grossmont Community College, with an Associate's degree in business administration, and received a Bachelor's degree in finance and business administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He is married and has three children, and has been active within his community on local boards and as a volunteer at a charter high school.

Anderson campaigned for a seat in the California Assembly in 1998, but did not win the election. He was elected to the Padre Dam Municipal Water District board in 2002. He has worked actively within the Republican Party, serving as San Diego County co-chair of the "Repeal the Car Tax Initiative" organized by Congressman Tom McClintock, and as county-chair of the re-election campaign for U.S. President George W. Bush in 2004. Anderson was elected to the California Assembly in 2006, as a representative of the 77th Assembly district in East San Diego County, California. He received endorsements in his 2006 campaign from Republican politicians in San Diego County including State Senator Bill Morrow and Assemblyman Mark Wyland. His campaign focused on border security, combatting illegal immmigration, decreasing taxes and fighting government waste.

In 2007, Anderson authored legislation in the Assembly which mandated that the state's two large pension funds, California Public Employees' Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System, divest from investments with companies that do business with Iran. This legislation garnered Anderson national attention, and he subsequently proposed additional legislation to accomplish the same goals with regard to the investments of the University of California. Anderson put forth a bill in 2007 designed to exempt U.S. war veterans and Medal of Honor recipients from paying fees at state parks; the bill received bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats and was signed into law by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2008, Anderson proposed legislation ACR 115 which would request the California Supreme Court to overturn an appellate ruling which required credentialing for children who had received home schooling. Anderson's home schooled daughter Mary, who had recently been accepted to the United States Air Force Academy, supported her father in this initiative. Anderson authored legislation in 2009 to address a concern regarding California's use of IOUs; the bill as AB 1506 would allow individuals to pay for fees from the state with the state's own IOUs. Anderson's proposal received bipartisan support, and Democratic leadership member in the Assembly John Perez commented in favor of his efforts.

On March 3, 2010, Anderson announced his intention to seek a seat in the California State Senate being vacated by Senator Dennis Hollingsworth. Anderson's chief of staff noted he was in a good position to run for the Senate because in his role as Assemblyman he already represented 41 percent of the 36th Senate District. Anderson received endorsements in his campaign for the State Senate, from San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, and Congressman Duncan Hunter.

Early life and family

Anderson graduated from Grossmont Community College, with an Associate's degree in business administration.[1] He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and received a Bachelor's degree in finance and business administration from the university.[1][2] Anderson has served within his community as treasurer of the Resource Conservation Board of Greater San Diego, a member of the board of the Water Conservation Garden, director of proceedings of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, and as a volunteer at River Valley Charter High School.[1]

Anderson is married to Kate, and has children Mary, Maura and Michael.[2] Anderson's daughter, Mary, was home schooled.[3] Mary successfully gained admission to the United States Air Force Academy.[3] In 2008, Anderson lived in La Mesa, California,[4] and in 2009 he lived in El Cajon, California.[5] In 2010 he resided in Alpine, California.[2][6]

Political career

San Diego activism

In 1998, Anderson campaigned for a seat in the California Assembly but did not win the election.[2] Anderson served as a director on the Padre Dam Municipal Water District board,[1] after winning an election to the position in 2002.[2] Anderson campaigned for the Division 5 seat on the Padre Dam Board, on the issue of fiscal responsibility.[7] Division 5 represents Blossom Valley, Flinn Springs, Alpine, Crest and Harbison Canyon.[7] He criticized incumbent members of the board for excessive travel, and for putting together an extravagant customer service center.[7] "They're building a $10 million building when they should be satisfied with a $1 million building. I don't think they're living up to the public trust," said Anderson.[7] Anderson received 44 percent of the vote for the Division 5 seat on the Padre Dam Board in the November 2002 election.[8][9] After winning, Anderson stated he intended to research ways to decrease spending on the Padre Dam Board.[10] Anderson maintained his campaign issue, and opposed a new service center for Padre Dam, stating, "I don't see how we can afford anything new. To me, plush offices are an extravagance that the district can't afford."[11] After Anderson was elected, the Padre Dam Board voted unanimously to postpone the building project.[12] In August 2003, the Padre Dam Board voted in favor of a measure to build a new office building at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve; Anderson voted against the spending measure, and it passed 3-2 with a cost limit of $6 million.[13]

Anderson was an activist within the Republican Party before becoming an Assemblyman.[14] He served as the San Diego County co-chair of the "Repeal the Car Tax Initiative" organized by Tom McClintock.[14] Anderson was the county-chair of the re-election campaign for U.S. President George W. Bush in 2004.[14] In 2006, Anderson was the Board President of the Padre Dam Water Board.[15]

California Assembly

Anderson was elected to the California Assembly in 2006, as a representative of the 77th Assembly district in East San Diego County, California.[16] His campaign issues included border security, combatting illegal immmigration, decreasing taxes and fighting government waste, and promoting Jessica's Law in order to prevent sex offenders residing nearby educational facilities and local parks.[1] He received endorsements in his 2006 campaign from Republican politicians in San Diego County including Ray Haynes, State Senator Bill Morrow, and Assemblyman Mark Wyland.[14]

In 2007, Anderson wrote legislation in the California Assembly which mandated that the two main pension funds in the state must divest from businesses that conduct defense or energy affairs in Iran.[17] This proposal garnered Anderson notice on a national level.[17] AB 221, the California Divest Iran Act, was co-authored by fellow legislators from both main political parties.[2] The bill focused on the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), and ordered them to divest from businesses in Iran.[2] Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke favorably of Anderson's legislation, and acknowledged that the state should position itself to have a "powerful stand against terrorism".[18] In a statement about AB 221, the Governor said, "California has a long history of leadership and doing what's right with our investment portfolio."[18] Sherry Reser, spokeswoman for CalSTRS said that the pension fund "will never tolerate support of terrorism", and acknowledged, "We will implement the bill."[18] James Hawley, co-director of the Elfenworks Center for the Study of Fiduciary Capitalism at St. Mary's College in Moraga, California, predicted that Anderson's legislation would have an impact on other state governments, "There is political pressure out there. This is going to resonate with a lot of state legislatures."[18] Anderson's bill received support from both Jewish and Iranian groups in California.[18] Associated Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center Rabbi Abraham Cooper commented, "The Iranian regime is up to no good. The only thing that is going to derail them is to hit them in the pocketbook."[18] Upon news that the Governor would sign the bill, Anderson stated, "This is a common sense bill. Money is the mother's milk of terrorism."[18]

Anderson proposed legislation in 2007 to give disable veterans a free pass to attend state parks.[19] The bill passed the Assembly with a 73-0 vote.[19] Democratic State Senator Christine Kehoe commented in favor of the legislation, "It's the public's way of saying thank you."[19] Vietnam War veteran and Dana Point, California resident Bill Manes noted, "It's just a nice gesture, particularly for those men and women coming back now."[19] Anderson also put forth an amendment intended to give the same parks benefit to those that had received the Medal of Honor.[19] State Senator Darrell Steinberg, a Democrat and the Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, commented in favor of this amendment, "I'm certainly in favor of extending the privilege to recipients of the Medal of Honor. That makes complete sense."[19] On July 27, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the legislation into law, as Senate Bill 60.[20] Upon signing the bill, Governor Schwarzenegger stated, "We owe our veterans a tremendous debt of gratitude for the contributions they have made to our state and for their dedicated service to our country. This bill is an important step forward in ensuring that these homes become a reality for our many veterans who need them."[20]

In March 2008, Anderson endorsed Duncan D. Hunter, the son of Congressman Duncan Hunter, in his campaign for the United States House of Representatives.[17] Anderson also served as the chairman of the junior Hunter's congressional campaign.[17] Anderson and his daughter Mary spoke up in support of home schooling in March 2008, after a state apellate court in California issued a ruling that children who are the product of home schooling need to be credentialed.[3] Anderson proposed legislation in the Assembly, ACR 115, which requested of the California Supreme Court to overturn the precedent of the lower court.[3] In 2008, Anderson brought the issue of divestment of funding from businesses related to Iran to the educational institution of the University of California.[21] He brought forward a resolution, ACR 79, which called upon the university to divest its funding and investments relating to any corporations that conduct business operations with Iran.[21] In May 2008, the resolution had successfully passed through the Assembly Appropriations Committee.[21] Anderson commented, "as a matter of human rights, it is the right thing to do" to divest from Iran, and also noted it was a fiscally responsible decision.[21]

In 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills proposed by Anderson into state law: a piece of legislation which assisted home-schooled children in getting work permits, and another bill that protected some of an individual's equity in their home from liability.[2] In February 2009, Anderson proposed legislation, AB-255, that would mandate blurring detail on Google Earth images of areas deemed sensitive locations including schools, places of worship, government buildings and medical facilities.[22] When asked how he had determined the list of locations proposed to be blurred, Anderson commented, "Well, I looked at where we've had security issues in the past and potentially, might have issues in the future. Churches and synagogues have been bombed. So have federal buildings and then, of course, 9/11. So, the threats are out there and as a state legislator, public safety is my No. 1 job. To ignore that fact would be irresponsible."[22]

Anderson introduced legislation in 2009 regarding a concern over California's use of IOUs: AB 1506 proposed to allow individuals to utilize California state issued IOUs in order to fund payments towards university education, car payments, and payroll taxes.[23] Anderson said of the proposed legislation, "Hopefully, this will allow California businesses to stay alive while the state is unable to pay them."[23] The bill would mandate that the state must accept its own registered warrants as payment.[24] The bill was considered by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee in July 2009.[24] The bill received unanimous support from the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, as well as bipartisan support from both Republicans and from Democrats in the majority.[25] Democratic leadership member in the Assembly, John Perez, commented favorably on Anderson's proposed legislation, "It is the recipients of these IOUs who are being punished for the actions of the governor and others who have gotten us into this situation. I appreciate what you're attempting to do here."[25] After the July 7, 2009 vote by the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, the bill was sent to the Appropriations Committee.[25] Dr. Stuart A. Cohen, president of the San Diego County Medical Society, wrote to Anderson in support of the legislation, acnknowledging, "This bill would save many businesses and individuals from severe financial hardship."[25]

In an August 2009 interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, Anderson identified private sector growth as a solution to decreasing unemployment and fixing the budget in California, and noted, "The long-term answer to the budget is to grow private-sector jobs as quickly as possible while stopping all new spending. My colleagues and I are committed to rolling back high taxes and oppressive regulation on businesses, thus encouraging new private-sector jobs."[5] He characterized "a clean spending cap" as when asked what was "the single most important reform for California that could be passed in a ballot initiative".[5] On September 12, 2009, Anderson was recognized at a gala event "Night To Honor Israel" with the "Watchman on the Wall" Award from the organization Christians United for Israel.[26] The organization recognized Anderson as the Assemblyman, "who spearheaded California's Iran Divestment initiative".[26] In December 2009, Anderson was fined US$20,000 by the Fair Political Practices Commission in California, relating to solicitations of contributions towards a campaign higher than the legally allowed amount.[27] In an interview about the fine, Anderson stated, "I made the mistakes, and I corrected them as quickly as possible. We didn't spend the money. Once I realized there was a mistake, we went straight to the FPPC and tried to reconcile it."[27]

California State Senate campaign

In February 2010, Anderson's chief of staff Collin McGlashen stated that he was in a good position to run for the California State Senate, because in his role as Assemblyman he already represented 41 percent of the 36th Senate District.[6] The incumbent State Senator, Dennis Hollingsworth, was not able to run for another term due to term limits.[6] "His voting record uniquely fits the conservative district", commented McGlashen of Anderson's fit for the 36th Senate District.[6] On March 3, 2010, Anderson announced his intention to run for the California State Senate seat.[16] Primaries in the election are set for June 8, 2010.[16] Other candidates in the Republican primary election include Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Air Force retired Lieutenant Colonel and Murrieta, California school board member Kenneth Dickson, and Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone.[28][29] In a statement upon declaring his intention to run for California State Senate, Anderson noted, "Over the last three years I've carried major legislation. I've worked hard in a bipartisan way to solve California 's problems. We have solutions to California 's problems, but they aren't all politically correct. I want to be part of that solution."[16]

On April 6, 2010, Anderson received the endorsement of San Diego Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who described the candidate as "a rock-solid conservative that gets things done in Sacramento".[30] Anderson also received endorsements from the California Republican Assembly and from Congressman Duncan Hunter.[31] In his endorsement, Congressman Hunter called Anderson "a great conservative leader who has fought to strengthen the economy by supporting tax credits to encourage new hiring and by eliminating excessive regulations on businesses."[32] Anderson's campaign gained the support of the San Diego Deputy Sheriff’s Association in April 2010.[33] Assembly member Martin Garrick endorsed Anderson, commenting that he has the "Reagan 'can-do' attitude" appropriate for the role.[34] San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith endorsed Anderson in May 2010, and commented, "Assemblyman Joel Anderson's record in the legislature, which earned him the Legislator of the Year Award from the Deputy District Attorneys', proves that he understands that public safety should be priority number one for our state government."[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "77th District". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. October 18, 2006. p. 19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Marelius, John (December 13, 2009). "Does Anderson 'win at all costs'? Fined legislator chided for tactics, praised as reliable". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. A-1. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Ainsworth, Bill (March 13, 2008). "Anderson speaks out for home schooling". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  4. ^ "El Cajon, Home Depot and Assemblyman Anderson". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. February 23, 2008. p. EZ-9.
  5. ^ a b c "Joel Anderson". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. August 5, 2009. p. B-7.
  6. ^ a b c d Clock, Michele (February 25, 2010). "Anderson missing out on Senate support". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  7. ^ a b c d Krueger, Anne (October 18, 2002). "Padre Dam district challengers want to curb spending". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-3.
  8. ^ "East County water". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. November 6, 2002. p. B-7.
  9. ^ "Election 2002 county results". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. November 7, 2002. pp. B-6:2, 6, 7, 8 B-4:1.
  10. ^ Krueger, Anne (November 13, 2002). "East County water districts see changes ahead". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-3.
  11. ^ Krueger, Anne (November 23, 2002). "Padre Dam directors to reconsider building project". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-9.
  12. ^ "Padre Dam project decision postponed". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. November 27, 2002. pp. B-4:1 B-1:2.
  13. ^ Krueger, Anne (August 14, 2003). "Padre Dam board finally votes go-ahead on new HQ". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-4.
  14. ^ a b c d California Political Desk (April 21, 2006). "San Diego Republican Legislators Endorse Joel Anderson for Assembly". California Chronicle. Ultio, LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  15. ^ Krueger, Anne (May 24, 2006). "Padre Dam OKs water rate hike - Vote delay to notify customers overruled". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-1.
  16. ^ a b c d Clock, Michele (March 4, 2010). "Anderson announces state Senate run". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. B-3.
  17. ^ a b c d Clock, Michele (March 5, 2008). "Joel Anderson Endorses Duncan D. Hunter". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Chan, Gilbert (September 25, 2007). "A win for bill against Iran - Governor will OK law ordering funds to sell investments". The Sacramento Bee. p. D1.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Gardner, Michael (June 13, 2007). "Bill would waive parks-pass fee for disabled vets". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. A-4.
  20. ^ a b Smolens, Michael (July 27, 2007). "Governor signs bills to help veterans". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  21. ^ a b c d Ainsworth, Bill (May 23, 2008). "Anderson extends Iran divestment campaign". The San Diego Union-Tribune.
  22. ^ a b Cooper, Charles (March 11, 2009). "California lawmaker wants to blur Google Earth". CNET. CNN. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  23. ^ a b Sweeney, James P. (July 2, 2009). "State IOUs to bring uncertainty". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. A-1.
  24. ^ a b "This week at the Capitol: IOUs in reverse". The Sacramento Bee. July 6, 2009. p. A3.
  25. ^ a b c d Sweeney, James P. (July 8, 2009). "Bill would allow IOUs to be used to pay state". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. A-2.
  26. ^ a b "Night to Honor Israel Reports". Christians United for Israel. cufi.convio.net. September 13, 2009. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  27. ^ a b Marelius, John (December 11, 2009). "Anderson fined for donation violations". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Union-Tribune Publishing Co. p. A-1. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ O'Leary, Tim (October 30, 2009). "Funding flap draws wait-and-see responses from potential Republican rivals for state Senate seat". The Valley News. 9 (44). www.myvalleynews.com. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
  29. ^ Glick, Julia (August 8, 2009). "County leaders build war chests - fundraising: With elections almost a year away, several have added hundreds of thousands to their campaign coffers". The Press-Enterprise. The Press-Enterprise Co. p. D1.
  30. ^ California Political Desk (April 6, 2010). "Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher Endorses Anderson for Senate". California Chronicle. Ultio, LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  31. ^ Shott, Buck (April 16, 2010). "Political wrangling". East County Magazine. eastcountymagazine.org. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  32. ^ California Political Desk (April 20, 2010). "Duncan Hunter Endorses Joel Anderson". California Chronicle. www.californiachronicle.com. Retrieved April 21, 2010.
  33. ^ Shott, Buck (April 22, 2010). "Political wrangling". East County Magazine. eastcountymagazine.org. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  34. ^ Quach, Hoa (May 11, 2010). "Campaign Corral: Sheriff candidate talks tips; endorsements galore". San Diego News Network. San Diego News Network, LLC. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
  35. ^ California Political Desk (May 22, 2010). "City Attorney Jan Goldsmith endorses Joel Anderson". California Chronicle. www.californiachronicle.com. Retrieved 2010-05-28.

External links

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