Candidate for
United States Representative; District 15

Biography of Assemblyman Jim Cunneen

Assemblymember Jim Cunneen (R-San Jose) represents the 24th Assembly District, which is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. His district includes Cupertino, Saratoga, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and portions of Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and the San Jose neighborhoods of Almaden Valley, Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Santa Teresa and Willow Glen. Cunneen was first elected in 1994 and was re-elected in 1996 and again in 1998.

Assemblyman Cunneen serves as Vice Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee for the new 1999 Legislative Session. He has also been appointed to serve on the Assembly's Education Committee and Environmental Safety and Toxics Materials Committee. Recently, Cunneen was appointed by Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa to the new legislative Master Plan for Education Committee.

Cunneen was named Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the American Electronics Association in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. He was named Legislator of the Year by the Girl Scouts, California Park and Recreation Society, California Council for Adult Education, and Planned Parenthood. Cunneen also was recognized by the California Community College Faculty Members as First-Term Legislator of the Year and by the Boy Scouts of America as Distinguished Citizen of the Year. Cunneen received the 1998 Appreciation Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley. He also received the 1988 Visionary Award from the California Healthcare Institute and the first ever 1998 Legislator of the Year Award from the Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee.

Prior to his election, Cunneen was the Global Corporate Affairs Manager for Applied Materials, a leading Silicon Valley high-tech company. Cunneen also assists his father-in-law with marketing and promotion of a family owned furniture retail business. Previously he served as a top aide for Congressman Tom Campbell, former State Senator Becky Morgan, and former Congressman Ed Zschau.

Cunneen is active in the community serving on the GreatSchools Steering Committee, which is part of Smart Valley, Inc., the Advisory Board of the Detwiler Computer for Kids Program and the Advisory Board for Kids Voting. Cunneen also served on the Advisory Board for CHARITech from 1992 to 1996. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Cunneen served on the Working Council of the Santa Clara Valley Manufacturing Group. He also served as a volunteer Corporate Campaign Coordinator for the United Way and Second Harvest Food Bank. Cunneen earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1976.

Assemblyman Cunneen is married to Jennifer Cunneen, a San Jose attorney. They have two children. They make their home in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. Jim's mother is a public school teacher in Santa Clara County and his father is a retired business consultant.