Candidate for
Member; California State Board of Equalization; District 2; Republican Party

Assemblyman Bill Leonard

Bill Leonard was elected to the State Assembly in 1996 and re-elected in 1998 and 2000. He had previously served in the State Assembly from 1978 to 1988, when he was elected to the State Senate. He was re-elected to the State Senate in 1992 without opposition. He served as Senate Republican Caucus Chair from 1990 to 1996 and as Assembly Republican Leader in 1997 and 1998.

Bill Leonard currently represents the 63rd Assembly District in San Bernardino County.

While in the State Legislature, Bill Leonard was instrumental in fighting internet taxation to save California consumers money, reforming the workers compensation system to help injured workers and to save businesses billions in premiums, and strengthening the state's drunk driving laws to remove more drunken drivers from the road and save lives. Bill Leonard served twice on the Legislature's budget writing conference committee and co-wrote the $400 million savings in the state's Medi-Cal program.

His service in the State Legislature has established Bill Leonard as an advocate for fiscal responsibility, families, and quality public education. He is also known for his efforts to improve the job and business climate in the Golden State by lowering taxes, reducing unnecessary regulation and providing incentives for job creation and business expansion.

Before his election to the State Legislature, Bill Leonard served on the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. His professional background is in real estate and property management. He holds a B.A. in history from UC Irvine and did graduate work at California State University, Sacramento while participating in the Assembly Fellowship Program. He is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, has served on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, and was Vice President of the San Bernardino County Taxpayers' Association.

Bill and his wife, Sherry, have three grown sons, Tim, Michael and Jacob. They enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, camping, and boating, and sports ranging from wallyball to the martial arts.