Richard Rainey
Richard Rainey was a Republican politician from Walnut Creek, California, a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area. He served in the California State Assembly from 1992 until 1996 and then served in the State Senate from 1996 until 2000 when he was defeated for reelection by Tom Torlakson, a Democratic Assemblyman from Antioch. In 1995, Mr. Rainey was named Legislator of the Year by the California Probation & Parole Correctional Association.[1][2][3][4] Also, during the 1995-96 legislative session, Mr. Rainey served as Chairman of the Assembly Local Government Committee when the Republicans briefly had a majority in the State Assembly.
Background
Rainey was born in Medford, Oregon. He became a police officer in Compton, California in 1962. He was hired by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's department in 1964 and he was promoted through the ranks as a deputy sheriff, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before he was elected County Sheriff in 1978. Mr. Rainey was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian during the 1980s to the State Board of Corrections and the Board of Trustees of the Robert Presley Institute of Corrections. He served until 1992 when he was elected to the Assembly to replace Bill Baker who was elected to Congress.
Education
Mr. Rainey has a bachelors in administration of justice from Sacramento State University (1973) and a masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University (1976).
Background
Mr. Rainey is married to Sue Rainey (née McNulty) and they reside in Walnut Creek. They have 7 adult children between them. Brett, Michael and Gina from Richard's 1st marriage to Micki DiLoreto (Micki died from cancer 4/86) and Rob, Steve, Kathy and Kevin from Sue's 1st marriage.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bill Baker |
California State Assemblyman, 15th District 1992–1996 |
Succeeded by Lynne Leach |
| Preceded by Daniel Boatwright |
California State Senate, 7th District 1996–2000 |
Succeeded by Tom Torlakson |
| Preceded by Art Agnos |
HUD Regional Administrator, Region 9 2003–2009 |
Succeeded by Ophelia Basgal |
References
- Wildermuth, John (21 April 2008). GOP down to its last Bay Area lawmaker, San Francisco Chronicle, Retrieved December 14, 2010
- (8 March 2000). STAGE IS SET FOR A BATTLE OF THE HEAVYWEIGHTS - REPUBLICAN SEN. RICHARD RAINEY WINS BY A LANDSLIDE AND WILL FACE DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYMAN TOM TORLAKSON IN THE FALL, Contra Costa Times, Retrieved December 14, 2010 (noting that Rainey had beaten primary opponent Daryl Chilimidos and would face Torlakson in general election)
- (8 October 2000). 7TH DISTRICT CONTEST A DUEL BETWEEN WINNERS, RAINEY AND TORLAKSON SHOW STARTLING CONTRAST OF STYLES AND POLITICAL BELIEFS, Contra Costa Times, Retrieved December 14, 2010
- (28 November 1996). FINAL COUNT CONFIRMS RAINEY WON, Contra Costa Times, Retrieved December 14, 2010