Roy Ashburn

• Biography:

  Roy Ashburn represents the residents of the 18th Senate District, which includes Kern, Tulare, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties. The republican legislator, who was first elected to the Legislature's upper house in 2002, is currently serving his first four-year term. Ashburn brings a wealth of experience to the Capitol having previously worked as a State Assemblyman for six years and a Kern County Supervisor for 12 years.

  A leader amongst his colleagues, Ashburn was appointed Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus within weeks of being sworn into office. The position provides him with greater opportunities to work with fellow senators in developing sound policy and practical solutions to today's challenges. Ashburn also takes on the responsibilities of chairman in his absence.

  Senator Ashburn currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Defense and Aerospace Industry. Ashburn, whose district includes a large number of military installations from Edwards Air Force Base to the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, is leading the fight to protect local communities against the devastating effects of base closures. Ashburn also serves on several other committees including Health and Human Services, Public Employees and Retirement (Vice Chair), Appropriations, Transportation, and Revenue and Taxation.

  While in the Capitol, Ashburn has tackled a number of important issues facing local families. His legislative efforts have focused on creating jobs and boosting economic development, reforming California's welfare system, reducing crime and increasing public safety, cutting taxes and increasing the authority of cities and counties. Ashburn has also pioneered California's effort in developing a vaccine to eradicate Valley Fever, a sometimes-deadly lung disease prominent in the Southwestern United States.

  Ashburn's legislative highlights include:

  1. Author of "Welfare-to-Work Act of 1997," which replaced California's broken welfare system with work requirements, time limits and personal responsibility.

  2. Author of "ERAF Reform," a measure that would force the state to return more local property tax dollars to cities and counties.

  3. Author of "Valley Fever Vaccine Legislation," provides funding to eradicate the deadly disease.

  Senator Ashburn has a degree in Public Administration from California State University, Bakersfield and attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia. He is the father of four daughters, Shelley, Shannon, Stacy and Suzannah.