Elected to the Assembly in November 2006, Assembly Member Jared Huffman has quickly earned respect as a legislator who tackles complex public policy challenges, works tirelessly, and gets results – often by forging consensus on seemingly intractable issues. In his first two years, Huffman was among the state’s most prolific lawmakers, passing 28 pieces of legislation.

His determination, candor, and independent thinking are reminiscent of his hometown hero, President Harry S. Truman. Growing up in Independence, Missouri, Huffman’s earliest political memory was seeing Truman walking around the town square. Huffman collects memorabilia and books on President Truman.

Huffman’s priorities include protecting our environment; fighting global warming while creating jobs and building a “clean and green” 21st century economy; promoting sustainable water, land use and transportation policies; revitalizing public education; and reforming our broken health care system.

Huffman brings unprecedented environmental policy experience to the Assembly. Prior to his election, he was a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). One of his proudest accomplishments at NRDC was helping forge an agreement that is restoring a 153-mile stretch of the San Joaquin River in California’s Central Valley. Restoring the San Joaquin River is one of the largest river restoration projects in our nation’s history.

Prior to joining NRDC, Huffman was a successful public interest attorney in private practice. His court victories included several major jury verdicts in gender discrimination and race discrimination trials, and a historic case on behalf of the National Organization for Women that required all California State University campuses to comply with Title IX, creating new athletic opportunities for thousands of female scholar-athletes throughout the state.

Huffman’s first run for public office was in 1994 at the age of 30, when he won a seat on the board of the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). He was re-elected twice and served a total of 12 years on the MMWD board, including three terms as Board President. His leadership and public service were honored with several awards, including the “Millennium Leadership Award” presented jointly by the Marin Community Foundation and the Marin Independent Journal.

Huffman graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and cum laude from Boston College Law School. Prior to law school, he was a three-time NCAA All-American athlete and member of the World Champion United States Volleyball Team. Huffman’s competitive edge, honed from many years as an athlete, continues to serve him well: he is one of the few attorneys-turned-legislator who can claim to have never lost a trial or an election.

Assemblymember Huffman lives in Marin with his wife Susan, and their two children. In his free time, Huffman enjoys all types of fishing, as well as golf, tennis, and home winemaking.

Huffman represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes southern Sonoma County and all of Marin County.

• Chair, Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
  
• Assembly Budget Committee
  
• Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 - Resources
  
• Assembly Natural Resources Committee
  
• Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee

Last Updated on Friday , February 20, 2009