Candidate for
State Board of Equalization; District 2

Bill Leonard served in the State Legislature for 24 years. He was first elected to the State Assembly in 1978 as a "Prop. 13 baby" because of his early work for the landmark property tax reform and decrease. In 1988 he was elected to an 11,000-square-mile-State Senate district, and in the Senate he was the longest serving Republican Caucus Chairman. In 1996 he returned to the State Assembly seeking the opportunity to serve in the majority. During all that time, he became well known as a fighter for low taxes, quality schools and a better business climate, but also for hosting weekly wallyball games in the state capital.

He became the Assembly Republican Leader for the 1998 cycle. When his stint as Leader was complete, Bill replaced the frustrating and exhausting party leadership role with the frustrating and exhausting sport of golf.

In 2002, he was elected to the State Board of Equalization, which functions as the nation's only elected tax commission. As a Board Member, he has advocated for taxpayer rights, sought consolidation of state tax agencies to increase efficiency, and worked for simplified tax policy and regulation.

Although Bill has made his career in politics, he is much more than a politician. First and foremost, he is husband to Sherry, father to three young men, and grandfather to a rambunctious toddler named Katie. Bill is the one in the family who cultivates Katie's sense of adventure, often to the dismay of her mother and grandmother. Bill is also teaching Katie some of his favorite things in life: faith in God, an appreciation for American history, Trivial Pursuit, science fiction, and good books. When Katie gets a bit older and more agile, Bill will then expose her to his other favorite outdoor pursuits: hiking, biking, and boating.