Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 11

Retired Fire Chief Gene Gantt, a lifelong Democrat, has spent nearly half a century living and working in the newly created 11th Assembly District. Gene is currently the Interim Executive Director of the California State Firefighters Association (CSFA). Throughout Gene's professional career, he has worked very closely with CSFA on political and legislative matters, serving as Political Action Committee Trustee for over twenty years as well as an Emergency Management Issues Advisor. In addition, Gene teaches at the Solano Community College where he serves as a mentor to future firefighters and first responders. After beginning his career in the fire service at the age of 19, Gene's work as a firefighter has taken him to Fairfield, Suisun, Rio Vista and Contra Costa County- all part of the newly created 11th District. Before retiring as Fire Chief, Gene spent 24 years serving the residents of Benicia. Before that, he served for 10 years with the Vacaville Fire Department. Gene has also been closely involved with the day-to-day legislative activities of the California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA). Gene served as the Legislative Representative for the Fire Prevention Officer's Section of CFCA. In 2006, Gene was appointed Legislative Director of CFCA. In this position, he had full oversight of legislative and political operations for the California Fire Chiefs. As a retired Fire Chief, one of Gene's top priorities is to ensure that California has adequate resources necessary to protect our communities, and that those resources are managed efficiently. As an avid conservationist and outdoorsman, Gene is committed to protecting the Delta and its residents' way of life. He is President of the Fly Fishers of Davis where he works with local groups to protect this precious resource and other Northern California watersheds. He is also a volunteer at the International Bird Rescue program in Cordelia and Casting for Recovery, a national organization that uses fly fishing and the outdoors to help women with breast cancer better cope and heal. Gene's combination of public service and dedication to the economic, educational and healthcare needs of the working families in Solano and Delta communities make him a strong candidate for the newly created 11th Assembly District. As a Californian and community leader, Gene is dedicated to working to restore our local economy. As a parent and an educator, Gene has the perspective and experience to truly fight to strengthen our public schools. Gene's political experience began in the early 1970's when he walked precincts for Jerry Brown for Governor and Vic Fazio's campaigns for the California Assembly and Congress. Gene was a coordinator for John Garamendi's first run for Governor. Gene is married to his wife of 32 years, Mary Lou, has two children, Kristen a high school teacher and Taylor a senior at California State University Chico.