Assemblywoman Connie Conway
Connie Conway was first elected to the State Assembly on November 4, 2008. She is serving her third term and represents the 26th Assembly District, which includes Tulare, Kern and Inyo Counties.
Recognized for her ability to bring people together, in November 2010 Connie was unanimously elected by her colleagues to serve as Assembly Minority Leader, the top leadership role in the Assembly Republican Caucus. As Minority Leader, she leads the caucus in forming its legislative agenda and works with her leadership team to advance their political goals.
Before becoming Minority Leader, Connie served as vice-chair of the powerful Assembly Appropriations Committee, and as Chair of the bipartisan Legislative Rural Caucus.
A strong champion of improving California’s economic climate and bringing back jobs and opportunity to the state, Connie received a 100 percent pro-jobs rating from the California Chamber of Commerce for her votes to keep taxes low and get people working again.
Prior to her election to the Legislature, Connie served as a Tulare County Supervisor for eight years, where she was Chair of the Board. She was also appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to chair the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, a 28-member group of public and private-sector leaders who work together to improve the economy and quality of life in the region.
In 2006, Connie served as president of the California State Association of Counties, representing all 58 counties at the state and federal levels. She has also held leadership roles within the National Association of Counties and served as state president of the Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership.
Connie has been a director of numerous organizations and governing bodies, including the California Public Employee Post Employment Benefits Commission, the Tulare County Employees’ Retirement Association, the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee and the California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research.
Active in the community, Connie is a member of the Tulare Kiwanis Club, the Tulare City Historical Society and the Tulare Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees. She was a founding member of Leadership Tulare. She has volunteered since 1980 at the World Ag Expo and has served on its board of directors since 2001.
Prior to her election to public office, Connie served for six years as a director of the Tulare Redevelopment Agency. Connie also worked as a district manager of CorVel Corp., a nationally certified health care organization specializing in workers compensation disability management.
In 2007, the Tulare Chamber of Commerce honored her as Woman of the Year. One person who nominated her for the award wrote: “She is a relentlessly dedicated public official who demonstrates her integrity by working – literally – seven days a week to serve her constituents. … She is personable, informal, humble, candid and charismatic. She seeks advice. She answers questions directly. She explains her positions well. Without exaggeration, she answers her cellular phone from dawn to midnight. This accessible, down-to-earth leadership style has earned Connie the respect of her constituents, and has developed allies across the state. She builds consensus because people know her beliefs and thought processes.”
