Nicole Parra
Encyclopedia
Nicole M. Parra was a California State Assembly
woman from 2002–2008. She is a Democrat
, who represented the 30th Assembly District which is in California's Central Valley.
. Her father has served Kern County as a Supervisor and her mother works for the Bakersfield Adult School. Parra is Catholic
. She attended Highland High School where her brother, Peter, now teaches. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
in 1992 with a B.A.
in Economics
. In 1998, she earned a J.D.
from the Catholic University School of Law in Washington D.C., although she has repeatedly failed the California Bar Exam and has consequently never become a licensed California attorney. In 1996, worked for her father Supervisor Pete Parra as a Field Director. Parra spent many years working on behalf of Congressman Cal Dooley
. Parra served as Dooley’s campaign manager in 2000 and as his district director from 1998 to 2002.
, Tulare County
and Kern County
and all of Kings County
.
, an enforcement only bill that would have made all illegal immigrants felons. She has received criticism from conservatives for supporting driver license for illegal immigrants. However, during election cycles none of her opponents campaigned against her immigration stance to prevent from alienating the district's majority Hispanic population.
, the mayor of Shafter
, ran to succeed Parra, who was prevented from seeking reelection in 2008 due to California state term limit
. Parra crossed party lines to endorse Fran Florez' Republican opponent, former assistant CHP chief Danny Gilmore
, who won by less than 900 votes.
Magazine.
Representing a region with a large agricultural sector, Parra has authored several key bills that would aid farmers and workers. She has also created an Agriculture Advisory Group, which gives farmers throughout the district a forum to discuss issues relating to the industry.
Public safety has been one of her Parra's main priorities. She chaired the Select Committee on Megan's Law
and Sex Offender Registration. She authored several key bills aimed at strengthening and expanding Megan's Law in California, target methamphetamine dealers, and toughen laws against child pornography.
She was honored by several organizations for her legislation on public safety. Parra has recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving
(MADD), the Sexual Assault Investigators Association, the California State Sheriffs Association, the Crime Victims United, and the California Police Chiefs Association. She was named 2003 Legislator of the Year by the California Main Street Alliance and the California Downtown Association based on her efforts to accelerate economic development and secure more jobs for struggling communities around the state. Recently, Assemblywoman Parra was honored with the 2006 Mark Bingham
Award for Achievement by the California Alumni Association, the alumni association for her alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley.
Her successful effort in authoring and co-authoring several bills and house resolutions relating to military personnel, veterans and their families has been recognized by several organizations. Parra was the recipient of the California National Guard’s highest honor for a civilian, the Order of California Public Service Award. The California Association of County Veteran Service Officers, the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Alliance, the Veterans of Foreign have also honored Parra for her work on behalf of veterans.
On February 1, 2008, Parra announced she would not run for the State Senate.
, who was running for the State Senate
. She won the election over businessman Dean Gardner by 266 votes.
by a margin of 52% to 48%.
, whose son, Democratic State Senator Dean Florez
, is a bitter political rival.
In something of a surprise, Parra crossed party lines to endorse the Republican nominee, Danny Gilmore
, who won the close race, angering Parra's fellow Democrats.
Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger
to be Director of the Governor's Regional Development Initiatives under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. On July 16, 2009, Parra announced that she would resign from the agency http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=10737744&nav=menu612_2_11.
Parra supported the candidacy of Carly Fiorina
, a Republican, to the United States Senate
.
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...
woman from 2002–2008. She is a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, who represented the 30th Assembly District which is in California's Central Valley.
Background
Parra's hometown is Hanford, CaliforniaHanford, California
Hanford is an important commercial and cultural center in the south central San Joaquin Valley and is the county seat of Kings County, California. It is the principal city of the Hanford-Corcoran, California Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Kings County, including the cities...
. Her father has served Kern County as a Supervisor and her mother works for the Bakersfield Adult School. Parra is Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
. She attended Highland High School where her brother, Peter, now teaches. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
in 1992 with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
. In 1998, she earned a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the Catholic University School of Law in Washington D.C., although she has repeatedly failed the California Bar Exam and has consequently never become a licensed California attorney. In 1996, worked for her father Supervisor Pete Parra as a Field Director. Parra spent many years working on behalf of Congressman Cal Dooley
Cal Dooley
Calvin M. "Cal" Dooley , American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 2005, representing the 17th and 20th districts of California....
. Parra served as Dooley’s campaign manager in 2000 and as his district director from 1998 to 2002.
The 30th District
The district includes portions of Fresno CountyFresno County, California
Fresno County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Stockton and north of Bakersfield. As of the 2010 census, it is the tenth most populous county in California with a population of 930,450, and the sixth largest in size with an area of . The county...
, Tulare County
Tulare County, California
Tulare County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, south of Fresno. Sequoia National Park is located in the county, as are part of Kings Canyon National Park, in its northeast corner , and part of Mount Whitney, on its eastern border...
and Kern County
Kern County, California
Spreading across the southern end of the California Central Valley, Kern County is the fifth-largest county by population in California. Its economy is heavily linked to agriculture and to petroleum extraction, and there is a strong aviation and space presence. Politically, it has generally...
and all of Kings County
Kings County, California
Kings County is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. It is located in a rich agricultural region. Kings County is also home to NAS Lemoore, which is the U.S. Navy's newest and largest master jet air station. The county seat is Hanford...
.
Political Views
Parra was widely known as one of the more moderate or conservative members of the California Assembly Democratic Caucus; she chairs the "New Democratic Caucus" which consists of moderate to conservative democrats http://www.law.com/jsp/ihc/PubArticleIHC.jsp?id=1176368655188.Abortion and Reproduction rights
Parra is pro-choice and supports comprehensive sex education programs over abstinence only programs.Gay Marriage
She is against gay marriage and has spoken out against gay marriage on several occasions, although she has stated she supports civil unions.Business
Parra is very pro-business (especially pro-farmer) and receives heavy criticism from liberals for her pro-business stance.Immigration Related Issues
Parra is pro-immigration and commonly opposes anti-immigrant legislation. In April 2006 Parra attended a rally at Jastro Park in downtown Bakersfield that drew 12,000 people to oppose the bill H.R. 4437H.R. 4437
The Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005 was a bill in the 109th United States Congress. It was passed by the United States House of Representatives on December 16, 2005 by a vote of 239 to 182 , but did not pass the Senate...
, an enforcement only bill that would have made all illegal immigrants felons. She has received criticism from conservatives for supporting driver license for illegal immigrants. However, during election cycles none of her opponents campaigned against her immigration stance to prevent from alienating the district's majority Hispanic population.
Her Base
Overall within her district Parra is popular among rural farmers and Hispanics, which make up a vast majority of the population of the 30th assembly district.Feud with Dean Florez
She has an ongoing feud with Dean Florez http://people.bakersfield.com/home/User/politicsanyone. The feud started when Florez had Michael Rubio run against Parra's father, Pete Parra for Kern County Supervisor. Rubio defeated Parra. In June 2007, Parra allowed several of Florez's bills to die in her agriculture committee without a motion for a vote http://www.bakersfield.com/hourly_news/story/175810.html. Senator Florez's mother Fran FlorezFran Florez
Fran Florez is an American politician from California and a member of the Democratic party.She is also the mother of Democratic State Senator Dean Florez, who has represented the area in the legislature since 1998.Florez is a past member and president of the Shafter Chamber of Commerce...
, the mayor of Shafter
Shafter, California
Shafter is a city in Kern County, California, United States. It is located west-northwest of Bakersfield. The population was 16,988 at the 2010 census, up from 12,736 at the 2000 census. Wired telephone numbers in Shafter follow the format 746-xxxx and the ZIP Code is 93263.The city is located...
, ran to succeed Parra, who was prevented from seeking reelection in 2008 due to California state term limit
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
. Parra crossed party lines to endorse Fran Florez' Republican opponent, former assistant CHP chief Danny Gilmore
Danny Gilmore (politician)
Danny Gilmore was a Republican Assemblymember from California's 30th State Assembly district. In the November 2008 election, Gilmore won an upset victory over Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, the mother of State Senator and former 30th District Assemblyman Dean Florez.-Education:Gilmore is a graduate of...
, who won by less than 900 votes.
Recognition
Parra was named the "Fourth Hottest Politician in the World" by MaximMaxim (magazine)
Maxim is an international men's magazine based in the United Kingdom and known for its pictorials featuring popular actresses, singers, and female models, sometimes pictured dressed, often pictured scantily dressed but not fully nude....
Magazine.
Assembly
Parra was elected to the Assembly in 2002 by 266 votes http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110004084. She served as Chair of the Agriculture Committee. She also serves on the Banking & Finance, Insurance, and Water Parks and Wildlife Committees.Representing a region with a large agricultural sector, Parra has authored several key bills that would aid farmers and workers. She has also created an Agriculture Advisory Group, which gives farmers throughout the district a forum to discuss issues relating to the industry.
Public safety has been one of her Parra's main priorities. She chaired the Select Committee on Megan's Law
Megan's Law
Megan's Law is an informal name for laws in the United States requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders. Individual states decide what information will be made available and how it should be disseminated...
and Sex Offender Registration. She authored several key bills aimed at strengthening and expanding Megan's Law in California, target methamphetamine dealers, and toughen laws against child pornography.
She was honored by several organizations for her legislation on public safety. Parra has recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a non-profit organization in the United States that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and overall push for stricter alcohol policy...
(MADD), the Sexual Assault Investigators Association, the California State Sheriffs Association, the Crime Victims United, and the California Police Chiefs Association. She was named 2003 Legislator of the Year by the California Main Street Alliance and the California Downtown Association based on her efforts to accelerate economic development and secure more jobs for struggling communities around the state. Recently, Assemblywoman Parra was honored with the 2006 Mark Bingham
Mark Bingham
Mark Kendall Bingham was an American public relations executive who founded his own company, the Bingham Group. During the September 11 attacks in 2001 he was a passenger on board United Airlines Flight 93...
Award for Achievement by the California Alumni Association, the alumni association for her alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley.
Her successful effort in authoring and co-authoring several bills and house resolutions relating to military personnel, veterans and their families has been recognized by several organizations. Parra was the recipient of the California National Guard’s highest honor for a civilian, the Order of California Public Service Award. The California Association of County Veteran Service Officers, the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Alliance, the Veterans of Foreign have also honored Parra for her work on behalf of veterans.
On February 1, 2008, Parra announced she would not run for the State Senate.
2002 Election
Parra entered the open race to succeed Dean FlorezDean Florez
Dean Raymond Florez was a California State Senator from the 16th Senate District from 2002 until the end of his second term in November of 2010.Florez was born and reared in the Central Valley....
, who was running for the State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
. She won the election over businessman Dean Gardner by 266 votes.
2004 Election
Parra once again beat Gardner. However, the margin was larger this time as Parra won 55-45%.2006 Election
Parra beat retired CHP officer Danny GilmoreDanny Gilmore (politician)
Danny Gilmore was a Republican Assemblymember from California's 30th State Assembly district. In the November 2008 election, Gilmore won an upset victory over Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, the mother of State Senator and former 30th District Assemblyman Dean Florez.-Education:Gilmore is a graduate of...
by a margin of 52% to 48%.
2008 Election
Nicole Parra was not eligible to seek a fourth term because of term limits. The Democratic nominee to succeed her was Fran FlorezFran Florez
Fran Florez is an American politician from California and a member of the Democratic party.She is also the mother of Democratic State Senator Dean Florez, who has represented the area in the legislature since 1998.Florez is a past member and president of the Shafter Chamber of Commerce...
, whose son, Democratic State Senator Dean Florez
Dean Florez
Dean Raymond Florez was a California State Senator from the 16th Senate District from 2002 until the end of his second term in November of 2010.Florez was born and reared in the Central Valley....
, is a bitter political rival.
In something of a surprise, Parra crossed party lines to endorse the Republican nominee, Danny Gilmore
Danny Gilmore (politician)
Danny Gilmore was a Republican Assemblymember from California's 30th State Assembly district. In the November 2008 election, Gilmore won an upset victory over Shafter Mayor Fran Florez, the mother of State Senator and former 30th District Assemblyman Dean Florez.-Education:Gilmore is a graduate of...
, who won the close race, angering Parra's fellow Democrats.
Post Assembly Career
In late January 2009, Parra accepted an appointment from CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
to be Director of the Governor's Regional Development Initiatives under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. On July 16, 2009, Parra announced that she would resign from the agency http://www.kmph.com/Global/story.asp?S=10737744&nav=menu612_2_11.
Parra supported the candidacy of Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina
Carly Fiorina is an American business executive and a former Republican candidate for the United States Senate representing California. Fiorina served as chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard from 1999 to 2005 and previously was an executive at AT&T and its equipment and technology spinoff,...
, a Republican, to the United States Senate
United States Senate election in California, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate election in California took place on November 2, 2010. The election was held alongside 33 other United States Senate election in addition to congressional, state, and various local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S...
.
External links
- http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a30/about.htm
- http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=MCA94281
- http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/makebio.asp?district=30
- Sourcing Parra's conservative record: http://www.law.com/jsp/ihc/PubArticleIHC.jsp?id=1176368655188, http://socalpundit.com/blog/index.php/2005/06/03/, http://www.law.com/jsp/ihc/PubArticleIHC.jsp?id=1176368655188
- http://www.maxim.com/girls/girls-of-maxim/76415/worlds-hottest-politicians.html#7