Joe Canciamilla
Joseph Canciamilla is a Democratic politician who represented California's 11th State Assembly district from 2000 until 2006. Upon being term limited in 2006, Mr. Canciamilla briefly ran for California's 7th State Senate district in 2008 but eventually droppoed out in favor of the eventual winner, Mark DeSaulnier.
Early Political Career
First elected to the Pittsburg Board of Education at the age of 17, Joe was the youngest elected official in the nation. After serving almost 4 terms on the school board Joe moved on to the Pittsburg City Council where he served over two terms, including two years as Mayor. He was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 1996 and to the State Assembly in 2000 serving the 11th Assembly District.
Political Accomplishments
Mr. Canciamilla helped craft a new and innovative industrial safety ordinance and led a new growth management effort in the county that resulted in the protection of thousands of acres of open space. He also secured new money for transportation projects.
In his first term in the Assembly, he enacted legislation to protect investors from fraudulent and deceptive "Enron-like" partnerships, provide better security options for Animal Control Officers, and expand more energy options for California businesses.
During his second term, Mr. Canciamilla wanted to encourage more constructive dialogue and cooperation between Democratic and Republican legislators, therefore, he and Assemblymember Keith Richman, a Republican from Northridge organized the 27 member Bi-Partisan Group which regularly met to discuss policy issues.
Biography
Mr. Canciamilla has experience in the private sector as co-owner of Pittsburg Funeral Chapel, Inc., a family owned business for over 50 years, and as an attorney who maintained a practice for over 10 years. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, St. Mary's College and John F. Kennedy University College of Law.
Joe is married to Dr. Laura Stephenson-Canciamilla, Director of Alternative and Adult Education for the Acalanes Union High School District. Mrs. Canciamilla unsuccessfully attempted to succeed her husband in 2006, losing to Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Tom Torlakson |
California State Assemblymember, 11th District 2000 – 2006 |
Succeeded by Mark DeSaulnier |