Connie Leyva
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Connie Leyva (born February 19, 1967) is a former American politician and union organizer, who now serves as the Executive Director of public radio and television station KVCR. She previously served as a member of the California State Senate in the 20th Senate District from 2014-2022. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Connie Leyva | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 20th district | |
| In office December 1, 2014 – December 5, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Alex Padilla (redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | Caroline Menjivar |
| President of the California Labor Federation | |
| In office 2004–2015 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Rankin |
| Succeeded by | Kathryn Lybarger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Connie Marie Thedford[1] February 19, 1967 (age 57) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Albert Leyva |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Chino, California |
| Alma mater | University of Redlands (BA) |
| Profession | Labor organizer |
Leyva was raised in Chino, California, where she attended public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communicative disorders from the University of Redlands.[2][3]
Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2014, she was president of the California Labor Federation. Leyva was elected to the California State Senate in 2014, receiving the endorsement of the local AFL–CIO chapter.[4]
In 2015, Leyva opposed legislation to end personal belief exemptions for mandatory vaccinations for students in California public schools.[5][6]
On January 6, 2022, Leyva announced that she would not run for reelection to the State Senate[7] as newly approved redistricting maps put state Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) in the same district as state Sen. Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) and the two would have had to face off in the fall.[8] On January 26, 2022, Leyva announced that she would be a candidate for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, seeking to unseat Curt Hagman.[9] She was defeated by a wide margin.[10]
In late October, 2022, the San Bernardino Community College District announced appointing Leyva as executive director of KVCR. KVCR is a public radio dual licensee that also operates First Nations Experience, a digital multicast channel for Native American and Indigenous programming.[11][12]
Leyva and her husband, Al, live in Chino, California and have twin daughters.[13]
- ^ "New senator from Chino".
- ^ "Biography". Senator Connie M. Leyva. 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "Connie M. Leyva". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ Cendejas, Danielle (April 14, 2014). "California Labor Federation Unites Behind Leyva". Connie Leyva for State Senate. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ^ "Vaccine bill clears key hurdle in state senate". 22 April 2015.
- ^ "SB-277 Public health: vaccinations, Votes".
- ^ "Leyva to bow out + New CalChamber executive + Sac City Councilman runs for Assembly". MSN.
- ^ "State Senator Connie Leyva Announces She Won't Seek Reelection". 7 January 2022.
- ^ "Chino lawmaker Connie Leyva makes bid for San Bernardino County supervisor". 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Connie M. Leyva".
- ^ "California state senator Connie Leyva to lead KVCR". 27 October 2022.
- ^ "Press Releases".
- ^ "Connie Leyva for State Senate". Connie Leyva for State Senate. Retrieved 2020-08-09.