Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 15

As an educator, advocate for quality health care, and elected official, Donna Gerber has been a powerful and effective voice for this community. Often challenging powerful interests, Gerber has distinguished herself as one of the most effective leaders in the Bay Area on diverse issues ranging from "smart growth" to quality health care.

First elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 1996 and re-elected in 2000, Donna Gerber has won tough battles to protect open space and open needed health facilities. She spearheaded the effort to expand Contra Costa County's urban limit line to prevent sprawl and led the fight to re-open a community hospital that provided irreplaceable emergency room service.

Gerber also sponsored a policy of zero tolerance for domestic violence and sponsored the San Ramon Advisory Committee on Youth Safety and Development. She also pushed for an ordinance to reduce explosions and releases of hazardous gasses in oil refineries.

In 2000, Gerber was elected to a second term on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors with 68% of the vote.

Prior to her election to the Board of Supervisors, Donna Gerber represented nurses and health care workers for over 15 years. With the California Nurses Association, she directed an education program for nurses and consumers. She began her professional career investigating reports of child abuse and neglect in Contra Costa County.

Donna Gerber has been widely recognized for her leadership on the issues of education, the environment, health care, and other issues of importance to women and children. Honors include: Contra Costa County Women's Hall of Fame; California Nurses Association's Health Advocacy Award; Save Mount Diablo Association's Mountain Star Legislative Award; Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition Legislative Award; and Del Valle Council of PTA's Honorary Service Award. Gerber also serves on the Medical Board of California as an appointee of Governor Gray Davis.

Donna Gerber lives in Walnut Creek with her husband Larry. She is a graduate of University of California, Santa Barbara. For more information, see Donna's web page.