Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 28

Jane Howard is a successful businesswoman and civic leader with a proven record of accomplishment and commitment to community service.

She served on the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Trustees from 1996-2000 and as president in 1999. She was president of the Leadership Gilroy Education Foundation and served on the Facilities Work Group to develop a 10-year master plan for building projects in the school district.

Jane also served as president of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as chair of the South Valley Hospital Board of Directors, as director of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, and director of the Gilroy Rotary Club. In 1999, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce honored her as "Woman of the Year."

A resident of Gilroy for twenty years, Jane was born in Jasper, Indiana and grew up on a 100-acre farm. After graduating from Ireland Indiana High School, she moved to California and attended Foothill College in Los Altos.

She and husband Al owned Howard Tire Service - a chain of seven retail tire stores from San Francisco to Salinas. Jane handled advertising and marketing for all company locations. In addition, she supervised the accounting departments in several of the retail locations. In late 1995, the Howards sold the business to Wheel Works, Inc. Married for twenty years, Jane has two stepdaughters and four step-grandchildren.

Jane has also been an active member of the Republican Party. She is currently a member of the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee and has served as Treasurer and Budget chair. She has been a delegate to the California Republican Party since 1997 and was a delegate to the National Party Convention in 2000.

Jane has campaigned for many candidates including State Senator Bruce McPherson, Sheriff Laurie Smith and Supervisor Don Gage. She has served as treasurer for Gilroy mayoral and city council members including former Mayor Mike Gilroy and current Mayor Tom Springer. Last year, she was a member of the Santa Clara County Redistricting Committee.