M. David Stirling
Encyclopedia
M. David Stirling is a Republican politician, lawyer, and author. He served in the California State Assembly
representing Orange County
from 1976 until 1982. He was also the unsuccessful Republican party nominee for California Attorney General
in 1998, losing to Bill Lockyer
.
. In 1962, he received his undergraduate degree from Principia College
in Elsah, IL. He excelled in track and football at Principia and even received offers to try out for the San Diego Chargers
and the Chicago Bears
of the National Football League
. Well known as an excellent writer, in his senior year he was on the Dean's List. He opted against a football career and instead, in 1965, received his law degree from Tulane University
in New Orleans.
as Attorney General in 1990, Stirling resigned from the court to become the Chief Deputy Attorney General, the second ranking position in the California Department of Justice. He held the post for eight years.
. In the general election, Stirling obtained 42% of the vote to Lockyer's 52% of the vote. Stirling's vote count was the highest of any non-incumbet Republican in this statewide election.
. He has also authored, Green Gone Wild: Elevating Nature Above Human Rights," a book which documents the extreme positions of modern environmentalism and is a call for balance between preserving plant and wild life and the needs of humans [www.greengonewildbook.com]
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
representing Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
from 1976 until 1982. He was also the unsuccessful Republican party nominee for California Attorney General
California Attorney General
The California Attorney General is the State Attorney General of California. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced" The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.The...
in 1998, losing to Bill Lockyer
Bill Lockyer
William Westwood "Bill" Lockyer is an American politician. He is the current 32nd State Treasurer of California, elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. He has also served as California Attorney General and President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate...
.
Early life and education
Stirling is a native of Morgan City, LouisianaMorgan City, Louisiana
Morgan City is a city in St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 12,404 at the 2010 census....
. In 1962, he received his undergraduate degree from Principia College
Principia College
Principia College is a four-year private co-educational liberal arts college in Elsah, Illinois. The campus sits on bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River between Alton and Grafton, located about thirty miles north of St. Louis. In 1934, Principia College graduated its first class as a full...
in Elsah, IL. He excelled in track and football at Principia and even received offers to try out for the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Well known as an excellent writer, in his senior year he was on the Dean's List. He opted against a football career and instead, in 1965, received his law degree from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in New Orleans.
Assembly terms
Stirling served in the Assembly from 1976 until 1982 representing the southeast portion of Los Angeles County including Whittier, Hacienda Heights and Diamond Bar. During his tenure, he was primarily focused on criminal justice and issues relating to public safety. In 1982, he stepped down to run for California Attorney General; however, he lost in the primary to George Nicholson who at the time was a special assistant Attorney General.Post Assembly career
Stirling began a six year career as the general counsel for the State Agricultural Labor Relations Board in the Deukmejian Administration. He also spent just over a year as a superior court judge in Sacramento County. After the election of Dan LungrenDan Lungren
Daniel Edward "Dan" Lungren is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. The district covers most of Sacramento County and part of Solano County, as well as all of Alpine, Amador and Calaveras counties...
as Attorney General in 1990, Stirling resigned from the court to become the Chief Deputy Attorney General, the second ranking position in the California Department of Justice. He held the post for eight years.
Second bid for Attorney General
Stirling made a second bid for Attorney General in 1998. In the primary he faced Mike Capizzi, the Orange County District Attorney. Stirling won 66% of the vote to his opponent's 34%. In the general election, he faced then State Senate President Pro Tem Bill LockyerBill Lockyer
William Westwood "Bill" Lockyer is an American politician. He is the current 32nd State Treasurer of California, elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. He has also served as California Attorney General and President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate...
. In the general election, Stirling obtained 42% of the vote to Lockyer's 52% of the vote. Stirling's vote count was the highest of any non-incumbet Republican in this statewide election.
Post political career
Thirty two days after leaving the Attorney General's office, Stirling became the vice president of the Pacific Legal FoundationPacific Legal Foundation
Pacific Legal Foundation is the first and oldest conservative/libertarian public interest law firm in the United States. PLF was established for the purpose of defending and promoting individual and economic freedom in the courts...
. He has also authored, Green Gone Wild: Elevating Nature Above Human Rights," a book which documents the extreme positions of modern environmentalism and is a call for balance between preserving plant and wild life and the needs of humans [www.greengonewildbook.com]