Jim Beall (California politician)

Jim Beall
Beall in 2011
Member of the California State Senate
from the 15th district
Assumed office
December 3, 2012
Preceded by Elaine Alquist (redistricted)
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 24th district
In office
December 4, 2006 – November 30, 2012
Preceded by Rebecca Cohn
Succeeded by Rich Gordon
Member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors from the 4th District
In office
December 5, 1994 – December 4, 2006
Preceded by Rod Diridon
Succeeded by Ken Yeager
Personal details
Born James Thomas Beall, Jr.
(1951-12-07) December 7, 1951
San Jose, California
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Pat Lafkas
Residence San Jose, California
Alma mater San Jose State University

James Thomas Beall, Jr. (born December 7, 1951) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Senate. A Democrat, he represents the 15th Senate District, which encompasses the South Bay and Silicon Valley.

Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2012, Beall served as a member of the California State Assembly representing the 24th Assembly District. Before his time in the Legislature, he served as a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, as well as a member of the San Jose City Council.

Early life and education

James Thomas Beall, Jr. was born on December 7, 1951 in San Jose, California. He graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory and San Jose State University.

Political career

Santa Clara County roles

Beall served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors from 1994 until 2006, prior to which he served 14 years on the San Jose City Council. As a councilman and county supervisor, Beall served two decades on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, where he lobbied commissioners to select the extension of the Bay Area Rapid Transit system to San Jose as a top priority project, enabling it to eventually receive $900 million in federal funding. In the spring of 2012, Valley Transportation Authority and BART officials broke ground on the extension.

District 15 of California Senate

In 2011, Beall announced his candidacy for the new District 15 seat of the California State Senate. He won the June 2012 primary election, finishing more than 11 percent ahead of his opponent, fellow Democrat and former Assemblyman Joe Coto, and again in the general election in November 2012, defeating Coto 57% to 42%.[1] He officially took the position on December 3, 2012, taking the role from his predecessor Elaine Alquist (after rezoning).

He is currently serving in the California State Senate as a Democrat representing the 15th Senate District, which encompasses the South Bay and Silicon Valley.

Personal life

On July 9, 1983, he and Patricia F. "Pat" Lafkas were married. He has two stepsons, Gregory B. Chubb (born November 7, 1967) and Mark J. Chubb (born June 16, 1970). Beall is a vegetarian.[2] Beall Jr. also graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Political Science.[3]

Awards

  • American Psychiatric Association – Jacob Javits Public Service Award, 2009
  • California Small Business Association – Summa Cum Laude Award, 2009
  • Campaign for College Opportunity – Champion of College Opportunity, 2009
  • National Association of Social Workers, California Chapter – California Public Citizen of the Year, 2011
  • Planned Parenthood Mar Monte – Legislator of the Year, 2011
  • Women’s Foundation of California – Champion Award, 2011
  • Silicon Valley Legal Advocates for Youth – LACY Award, 2011
  • The ARC of California – Bulldog Award, 2012

Notes

  1. ↑ .
  2. ↑ Thomas, Mat (October 2010). "Meat-Free Politicians". VegNews. San Francisco: Joseph Connelly. Archived from the original on 2011-04-19. Retrieved 2011-04-18. Jim Beall may look like he routinely scarfs down steaks at every meal, but no—he's been meatless since 1993.
  3. ↑ "SJSU Distinguished Alumni". sjsu.edu. Retrieved 2014. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
Political offices
Preceded by
Rod Diridon		 Santa Clara County Supervisor, 4th District
December 5, 1994 – December 4, 2006		 Succeeded by
Ken Yeager
Preceded by
Rebecca Cohn		 California State Assemblyman, 24th District
December 4, 2006 - November 30, 2012		 Succeeded by
Rich Gordon
Preceded by
Elaine Alquist 		California State Senater, 15th District
December 3, 2012 – present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
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