Elaine Alquist
| Elaine Alquist | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California Senate from the 13th district | |
|
In office December 6, 2004 – December 3, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | John Vasconcellos |
| Succeeded by | Jim Beall (redistricted) |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 21st district | |
|
In office December 2, 1996 – December 2, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | John Vasconcellos |
| Succeeded by | Sally Lieber |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 21, 1944 Chicago, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) |
Duncan Benas (engaged) Al Alquist (deceased) |
| Residence | Santa Clara, California |
| Alma mater |
Washington University in St. Louis MacMurray College |
| Occupation |
School Counselor Businesswoman Real Estate Broker Financial Analyst Teacher |
Elaine Kontominas Alquist (born August 21, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois) a former Democratic state senator from California's 13th Senate District. Prior to serving in the senate, she served in the state assembly for 6 years.
The 13th Senate District (SD 13) is the heart of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County and includes the cities of San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Gilroy.
She was in office from December 2004 to December 2012. She succeeded John Vasconcellos, who himself succeeded Alquist's husband, the late Al Alquist, who represented the district for 30 years. Alquist graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from MacMurray College in 1966 and a Master of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis in 1967.
Background
Alquist has been a policy maker for more than 20 years. Her professional career began as an algebra and trigonometry teacher and a counselor in the public schools. In 1981, she served as PTA president and then beginning in 1983 served eight years as a member and then president of the board of education of the Cupertino Union School District. A former small-business owner, realtor and financial analyst at Stanford University, Alquist is the first Greek American woman elected to both houses of the California State Legislature. Alquist is engaged to Duncan Benas. Her family includes her sons, Peter and Bryan White, daughter-in-laws, Anju Chowdhry White and Asako Yasui White, and grandchildren, Jasmine and Logan.
State assembly
Alquist was elected to the California State Assembly's 22nd District in November 1996, and was re-elected to two consecutive terms in November 1998 and 2000.
State senate
Alquist was elected to the California State Senate in November 2004 and served as state senator for District 13. Alquist was re-elected to a second term in 2008. Her final term ended in 2012, when she termed-out.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Vasconcellos |
California State Assemblywoman, 22nd District 1996–2002 |
Succeeded by Sally Lieber |
| California State Senator, 13th District 2004 – 2012 |
Succeeded by Jerry Hill | |