Jay Obernolte

Jay Phillip Obernolte (/ˈoʊbərˌnoʊlti/ OH-bər-nohl-tee; born August 18, 1970) is an American politician, businessman, and video game developer who is the U.S. Representative for California's 8th district, elected in November 2020. A Republican, he was elected to the California State Assembly representing the California's 33rd State Assembly district. Prior to serving in the Assembly, he served in the city council and was the mayor of Big Bear Lake, California. He is the owner, president, and technical director of FarSight Studios, an American video game developer established in 1990.

Jay Obernolte
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2021
Preceded by	Paul Cook
Member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district
In office December 1, 2014 – December 7, 2020
Preceded by	Tim Donnelly
Succeeded by	Thurston Smith
Personal details
Born	Jay Phillip Obernolte August 18, 1970 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Heather Obernolte ​ (m. 1996)​
Children	2
Education	California Institute of Technology (BS) University of California, Los Angeles (MS)
Signature
Website	House website

Early life and education

Obernolte was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Fresno, California.[1][2] He graduated from Edison/Computech High School in 1988. In 1992, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and applied science from California Institute of Technology and in 1997, he received his Master of Science in artificial intelligence from the University of California, Los Angeles.[3]

Career

Business

Obernolte launched FarSight Studios, an independent developer and publisher of family-friendly video games for the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Apple iPhone and PC, in 1990. Notable games FarSight Studios has developed include Game Party, Hotel for Dogs and Pinball Hall of Fame.[3][4] FarSight Studios claims Sony, Microsoft, Google, and Apple among its clients and employs 25 workers.[5]

Politics

In 2005, Obernolte was elected to the Big Bear City Airport Board where he served for five years. He then served as President of the board for three years and as Vice President for one year.[3][6][7]

In 2010, Obernolte was elected to Big Bear City Council, where he served as Mayor.[3] Obernolte also served on the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection Board, director of the Mojave Desert and Mountain Integrated Waste JPA Board, the Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority Board, and on the League of California Cities Desert-Mountain Division.[5][8]

Obernolte has served as State Assemblyman for California's 33rd State Assembly district, which encompasses a wide expanse of the High Desert (areas of the Mojave Desert), from the eastern fringes of Los Angeles metropolitan area to the Nevada and Arizona borders, since 2014.

2014 California State Assembly election

On February 10, 2014, Obernolte announced his candidacy for the California State Assembly to succeed California Republican Party Tim Donnelly in the 33rd district.

Obernolte was endorsed by the California Republican Party,[9] San Bernardino County Republican party, the California Republican Assembly,[10][11] The Press-Enterprise,[12] the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association,[13] Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC),[14] San Bernardino County Safety Employee's Benefit Association (SEBA),[15] the California Conservative Christians,[16] and the Independent Voter Political Action Committee.[17]

In the June 2014 primary, Obernolte finished second with 18.89% of the vote with 7,887 votes and faced Democrat John Coffey in the November 2014 general election, winning with 65.9% of the vote.[18]

2014 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John Coffey	9,865	23.1
	Republican	Jay Obernolte	8,028	18.8
	Republican	Michelle Ambrozic	7,566	17.7
	Republican	Rick Roelle	6,574	15.4
	Republican	Art Bishop	5,956	14.0
	Republican	Brett Savage	1,811	4.2
	Republican	Scott Markovich	975	2.3
	Republican	Jerry J. Laws	814	1.9
	Republican	Robert J. "Bob" Burhle	802	1.9
	Republican	Robert Larivee	299	0.7
Total votes			45,690	100.0
General election
	Republican	Jay Obernolte	46,144	65.9
	Democratic	John Coffey	23,828	34.1
Total votes			69,972	100.0
	Republican hold

2016 California State Assembly election

On January 25, 2016, Obernolte announced he would seek a second term as the representative for California's 33rd Assembly District[19] to face Scott Marcovich, a contractor.[20]

In the June 2016 primary, Obernolte finished first with 60.7% of the vote with 43,526 votes and faced Democrat Scott Markovich in the November 2016 general election, winning with 60.6% of the vote.

2016 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jay Obernolte (incumbent)	43,526	60.7
	Democratic	Scott Markovich	28,220	39.3
Total votes			71,746	100.0
General election
	Republican	Jay Obernolte (incumbent)	84,000	60.60
	Democratic	Scott Markovich	56,086	39.4
Total votes			140,086	100.0
	Republican hold

2018 California State Assembly election

2018 California's 33rd State Assembly district election

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jay Obernolte (incumbent)	43,100	65.8
	Democratic	Socorro Cisneros	12,566	19.2
	Democratic	Scott Markovich	9,854	15.0
Total votes			65,520	100.0
General election
	Republican	Jay Obernolte (incumbent)	72,109	60.2
	Democratic	Socorro Cisneros	47,603	39.8
Total votes			119,712	100.0
	Republican hold

U.S. House of Representatives

2020

In September 2019, after Paul Cook announced his retirement from California's 8th congressional district, Obernolte announced his intention to run.[21][22][23] Obernolte's biggest concerns are taking care of veterans and holding the VA accountable, securing the border and cracking down on human and drug trafficking, and lowering taxes. He also supports creating jobs and helping small businesses, working with public safety officials to reduce the number of gangs and violent criminals, and cutting wasteful government spending to address the federal budget deficit.[24]

On February 12, 2020, President Donald Trump endorsed Obernolte on Twitter.[25][26][24]

Tenure

On January 6th, 2021 Rep. Obernolte voted against certification of the 2020 presidential election.[27] He also voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump.[28]

On February 4, 2021, Obernolte voted against the removal of Marjorie Taylor Greene of her House Education and Labor Committee, and House Budget Committee assignments in response to controversial political statements she had made. Only 11 Republicans had crossed party lines and supported the Democrats.[29]

Committee assignments[30]

• Committee on Natural Resources
• Committee on Budget
• Committee on Science, Space and Technology

Political actions

Caucuses and committees

In January 2016, Obernolte was elected to served on the California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus, which is co-chaired by Assemblymembers Ian Calderon and Evan Low.[31] Obernolte also sits on the following committees: Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media as Vice Chair; Budget as Vice Chair; Appropriations; Budget Subcommittee 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation; Budget Subcommittee 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation; Utilities and Commerce; Joint Committee on Arts; and Joint Legislative Budget.[32][33]

2020 election results

In January 2021, Obernolte voted with six other California representatives (Darrell Issa, Mike Garcia, Doug LaMalfa, Ken Calvert, Devin Nunes and Kevin McCarthy) to reject the certification of Pennsylvania votes cast during the 2020 presidential election.[34] He stated "earlier this week I swore an oath to protect and defend our constitution, which is why I will support the objection to Electoral College results for states where election practices were changed without the consent of that state’s legislature...this is not a partisan decision, and I will support those objections regardless of which presidential candidate won an affected state.”[35]

Fire tax and fire insurance

Obernolte authored Assembly Bill 1642, which would extend the deadlines to either pay the fire tax, which is a state fire prevention fee, or file a petition for redetermination from 30 days to 60 days.[36] In July 2017, the fire fee was suspended as part of Assembly Bill 398.[37]

Obernolte opposes raising fire insurance costs, which is calculated by factors in the risk of wildfire, fuels, slope and road access for emergency vehicles.[38]

Minimum wage

Obernolte opposes increases in the minimum wage. In an April 2016 op-ed published in the San Bernardino Sun, Obernolte wrote on the effects of increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. He wrote that "income inequality is the defining challenge of our generation" and the recent push to increase the minimum wage "is an effort to address the very real problem that wages are less than we feel they should be. However, we need to remember that income inequality is the result of a multitude of factors — among them, globalization, technological change, the efficient employment of capital and changing institutions. In other words, low wages are a symptom of the problem of income inequality, not the root cause of income inequality."[39]

Frontier Communications

In April 2016, Frontier Communications took over Verizon's voice, video, data, and FiOS network. In May 2016, Obernolte voiced his concern over Frontier Communications' acquisition of Verizon services noting that it has "negatively affected my constituents... It is particularly disturbing to me that the public safety of our residents has been threatened by the faulty landline telephone service they have experienced since the (acquisition)."[40]

Legal

In May 2016, Obernolte introduced Assembly Bill 2341, which would provide San Bernardino and other rural counties with additional judges to resolve backlogged court systems. "San Bernardino County currently faces an unacceptable shortage of judicial officers. My hope is that this bill will provide the necessary judicial resources to alleviate this critical problem" Obernolte said.[41] The bill would have shifted seats from Santa Clara and Alameda counties to the counties in San Bernardino but it died in the Senate Appropriations Committee without a hearing.[42][43]

In January 2017, Obernolte released a statement on his opposition to Xavier Becerra's nomination as California's Attorney General stating, "While Congressman Becerra possesses many of the qualifications necessary in an Attorney General, many of his positions on constitutional issues deeply concern me. His stances on both the First and Second Amendments clearly don't align with my values or those of my constituents. California's Attorney General should be committed to protecting these Constitutional rights."[44]

Veterans

Every year, California State Assemblymembers select a veteran in their district to be recognized as the Veteran of the Year and honored in Sacramento with a ceremony and luncheon. In 2015, Obernolte awarded Hesperia Chamber of Commerce President Brad Letner.[45][46] In 2017, Anthony "Tony" Cooker was recognized as the 2017 Veteran of the Year for the 33rd Assembly District.[47] In 2019, he recognized United States Army Veteran Ed Morgan as Veteran of the Year.[48]

In 2016, Obernolte sponsored approved Assembly Concurrent Resolution 180, which dedicates a stretch of California State Route 247 (SR-247) to the late Sgt. Brian L. Walker.[49]

California budget

Obernolte stated that Governor Jerry Brown's $179.45 billion budget proposal, which focused on "long-term fiscal responsibility", was "responsible", although he expressed a preference for fixing existing programs over creating new ones. Obernolte also stated an interest in funding job skills training, improving the state's Denti-Cal program, repairing infrastructure, and working on the housing crisis. Obernolte pushed for lawmakers to limit long-term funding commitments and also noted that the budget proposal does nothing to address the "state's out-of-control pension debts and retiree health care liabilities."[50]

California Roll – AB 1103

Obernolte co-authored Assembly Bill 1103, which would have allowed California bicyclists to roll through stop signs if it was safe to do so. The bill was based on a law adopted by Idaho in 1982. Under the proposed legislation, cyclists would be authorized to "[approach] a stop sign, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way, to cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping, unless safety considerations require otherwise."[51][52] The bill died in committee.[53]

Personal life

Obernolte married his wife Heather in 1996 and together they have two sons: Hale and Troy.[54][55] The family has lived in Big Bear Lake since 1997.[3]

Obernolte holds an airline transport pilot's license. He is also a certified flight instructor and has flown light aircraft since 2005. He worked with Embraer as a member on its Pilot Advisory Board during the development of the Phenom 300.[56][57][58][59] Obernolte is a member of the Young Eagles, a program created by the US Experimental Aircraft Association designed to give children an opportunity to experience flight in a general aviation airplane while educating them about aviation.[3][60]

Obernolte holds a third-degree black belt in Pacific Unified Martial Arts and is co-owner and instructor at PUMA Karate in Big Bear Lake.[3][61]

References

1. "JoinCalifornia - Jay Obernolte". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
2. Get to know a freshman: Jay Obernolte
3. "Mayor Jay P. Obernolte – Biography". City of Big Bear Lake. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
4. "Game Companies: Farsight Studios". Game Faqs. Game Faqs. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
5. Johnson, Shea (February 11, 2014). "Big Bear mayor joins crowded race". Daily Press. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
6. Johnson, Shea (October 22, 2014). "Top two in primary seek to succeed Donnelly in state Assembly". Daily Press. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
7. Bowers, Judy. "Campaign trail keeps candidates busy". Big Bear Grizzly. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
8. "JAYObernolte". Big Bear Lake. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
9. "Party Endorsements". California GOP. Archived from the original on September 26, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
10. Johnson, Shea (April 1, 2014). "Candidates building up war chests". Daily Press. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
11. "2014 Primary Election Endorsements". California Republican Assembly. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
12. "Editorial: Obernolte, Mayes and Steinorth for Assembly". The Press-Enterprise. August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
13. Johnson, Shea (September 18, 2014). "Obernolte, Coffey make case at VVC forum". Daily Press. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
14. "ENDORSED ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES BY CHAPTER" (PDF). PORAC. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
15. "SEBA endorsements". San Bernardino County Safety Employee's Benefit Association. Archived from the original on January 28, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
16. "The Christian Voter Guides 2014". Christian Citizens. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
17. "Jay Obernolte | AD 33". Independent Voter PAC. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
18. "2014 Statewide Primary Election". San Bernardino County Elections Office of the Registrar of Voters. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
19. "Obernolte announces re-election campaign". Big Bear Grizzly. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
20. Hagen, Ryan; Emerson, Sandra (June 7, 2016). "Election 2016: Obernolte leads Markovich in the 33rd Assembly District race". SB Sun. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
21. Metz, Sam. "Congressman Paul Cook to retire after end of fourth term; one of 17 Republicans who won't seek reelection". Desert Sun.
22. "California Republican Rep. Paul Cook to retire from Congress, run for county supervisor seat". Los Angeles Times. September 17, 2019.
23. "California's Paul Cook joins parade of House Republicans retiring". September 17, 2019.
24. "9 candidates seek 8th Congressional District seat that includes San Bernardino County". February 18, 2020.
25. Metz, Sam. "President Trump endorses Jay Obernolte, snubs Tim Donnelly in race to succeed Rep. Paul Cook". Desert Sun.
26. Cruz, Rene Ray De La. "Trump takes to Twitter to endorse Obernolte for Congress". vvdailypress.com.
27. {{Cite web|url= https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202110. Missing or empty |title= (help)
28. Trump second impeachment vote, New York Times, WEIYI CAI, ANNIE DANIEL, LAZARO GAMIO and ALICIA PARLAPIANO, January 13, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
29. Clare Foran, Daniella Diaz and Annie Grayer. "House votes to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignments". CNN. CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
30. "Rep. Obernolte earns key spots on Natural Resources, Budget, and Science, Space and Technology Committees | Representative Jay Obernolte". obernolte.house.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
31. Cassling, Steve (January 27, 2016). "Assemblymember Jay Obernolte Picked to be Part of Historic Tech Caucus". KBHR933. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
32. "COMMITTEES". California State Assembly. California State Assembly. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
33. "Assemblyman Obernolte blasts legislative shell game". Daily Press. April 29, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
34. Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
35. "To object or not to object? Here's where some local GOP House members stand on Electoral College vote". Orange County Register. January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
36. Casting, Steve (April 13, 2016). "Senator Morrell and Assemblyman Obernolte to Hold Fire Tax Town Halls in Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear". KBHR933. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
37. Johnson, Shea (July 26, 2017). "Obernolte lauds fire fee suspension, but not deal that made it happen". VV Daily Press. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
38. Fron, Heidi (June 6, 2016). "Obernolte Fights Fire Insurance Increases". Mountain-News. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
39. Obernolte, Jay (April 4, 2016). "Minimum wage hike treats symptom, makes problem worse: Jay Obernolte". SB Sun. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
40. Johnson, Shea (May 12, 2016). "Ahead of hearing, Obernolte seeks local input on Frontier takeover". Daily Press. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
41. "Obernolte bill addresses judge shortage". Lucerne Valley Leader. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
42. Macduff, Cassie (August 12, 2016). "Cassie MacDuff: Another attempt to address Inland judge shortage goes down in flames". Press Enterprise. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
43. "EDITORIAL: I.E. needs more judges". Press Enterprise. August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
44. "Obernolte opposes Becerra as AG". Daily Press. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
45. Cassling, Steve (May 11, 2016). "Assemblymember Obernolte Seeks Nominations for Veteran of the Year". KBHR933. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
46. Gambone, L.J. (June 23, 2016). "Letner "Veteran of the Year"". Daily Press. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
47. "World War II vet from Victorville honored as 2017 Veteran of the Year for 33rd Assembly District". VV Daily Press. June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
48. "Assemblyman Obernolte Recognizes Ed Morgan as Veteran of the Year". VVNG.com. December 22, 2019.
49. Day, Peter (September 8, 2016). "Obernolte: Walker Highway dedication next year". The Leader. Archived from the original on October 2, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
50. Johnson, Shea (January 10, 2017). "On proposed budget, Republicans urge long-term caution". Daily Press. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
51. Koseff, Alexei (May 8, 2017). "Rolling bicycle stop bill pulled in California". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
52. Downing, Shane (May 10, 2017). "Flat Tire: 'California Roll' Bill Stalls In Assembly Committee Until 2018". Hoodline. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
53. "An act to amend Section 21200 of 21200 of, and to add and repeal Section 21200.1 of, the Vehicle Code, relating to bicycles". Caifornia Office of Legislative Counsel. February 17, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
54. Neufeld, Michael (December 13, 2013). "Jay Olbernolte Re-Elected Mayor of Big Bear Lake". ROTW News. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
55. Johnson, Shea. "Donnelly's son urges donations, votes". Daily Press. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
56. George, Fred. "Embraer Phenom 300". 1 June 2013. Aviation Week. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
57. Velocci, Tony (October 7, 2014). "Phenom 300: One Hot Airplane". Forbes. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
58. "The Racing Pilots". Racing Jets. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
59. Cox, Bill. "Twin Commander 1000: The Ultimate Turbine Commander". Plane and Pilot Mag. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
60. "Young Eagles 100+ Mission Pilots". Young Eagles. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
61. Fisher, Jerry (June 17, 2009). No Regrets: The Life of an American Martial Artist. Trafford Publishing. p. 294. ISBN 9781426935541. Retrieved October 22, 2014.

External links

• Representative Jay Obernolte, official U.S. House website
• State Assembly website
• Jay Obernolte for Congress campaign website
• Jay Obernolte at Ballotpedia

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress