Sharon Runner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sharon Runner
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| Member of the California State Senate from the district |
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| In office March 19, 2015 – July 14, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Knight |
| Succeeded by | Scott Wilk |
| Constituency | 21st district |
| In office February 18, 2011 – December 3, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | George Runner |
| Succeeded by | Bill Monning (redistricted) |
| Constituency | 17th district |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 36th district |
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| In office December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | George Runner |
| Succeeded by | Steve Knight |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 17, 1954 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | July 14, 2016 (aged 62) Lancaster, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
George Runner
(m. 1973–2016) |
| Residences | Lancaster, California |
| Alma mater | Antelope Valley College |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
Sharon Runner (May 17, 1954 – July 14, 2016) was an American politician. She was a member of the Republican Party. Sharon Runner served as a California State Senator. She represented the 21st Senate District when she passed away. Before that, she represented the 17th Senate District from 2011 to 2012.
She was also a member of the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008. There, she represented the 36th district. Sharon Runner was married to California State Board of Equalization Member George Runner. From 2004 to 2008, Sharon and George Runner made history. They were the first husband and wife to serve in the California State Legislature at the same time.
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Early Life and Education
Sharon Yvonne Oden was born in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the Antelope Valley. Sharon graduated from Antelope Valley High School. She later attended Antelope Valley College.
Political Journey
Sharon Runner was very active in politics. She was an officer for the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly. She also worked with many Republican groups. These included the Palmdale and High Desert Republican Women's Clubs.
She helped lead California Women Lead. This group helps women run for public office. She also served as President of the California's Women's Leadership Association.
Sharon Runner helped with several big political campaigns. She supported Governor Pete Wilson and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She also worked on the 2004 Bush/Cheney Presidential Campaign. She was chosen to be a delegate for the Republican National Conventions in 2000 and 2004.
In 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her to a state board. This was the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. She worked there until 2010. Later, in 2013, she worked for the California State Senate Republican Caucus. She also ran her own company, "The Runner Group," which she started in 1994.
Serving in the Assembly
In 2002, Sharon Runner was elected to the 36th Assembly District. She served three terms in the State Assembly, from 2002 to 2008.
While in the Assembly, she worked on important committees. These included the Veteran's Committee and the Housing Committee. She also helped with groups focused on Foster Care. She was part of a task force on the Environment, Energy, and the Economy.
She held important roles related to state money. She was the Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee. She was also a member of the Budget Committee.
Jessica's Law
In 2006, Sharon Runner and her husband, Senator George Runner, created Proposition 83. This law is also known as Jessica's Law in California. The law was approved by 71% of California voters. It passed in 57 out of California's 58 counties.
Serving in the Senate
Sharon Runner ran for the California State Senate in 2011. She sought to represent the 17th District. Her husband, George Runner, had previously held this seat. He had been elected to the State Board of Equalization.
Sharon Runner won the primary election on February 15, 2011. She defeated Darren Parker with 66% of the votes.
In 2012, she decided not to run for re-election. This was to focus on her health recovery. She had a double lung transplant. Steve Knight took her place in the renumbered 21st Senate District.
A special election for the 21st Senate District happened on March 17, 2015. This seat became open when Steve Knight was elected to Congress. Sharon Runner decided to run again. She was the only candidate on the ballot. She easily won with 100% of the vote. Sharon Runner was sworn into the State Senate on March 19, 2015. She served there until her passing the next year.
Community Involvement
In 1977, Sharon Runner and her husband, George Runner, co-founded Desert Christian Schools. This school has grown to be one of the largest private schools in California. It has almost 1,700 students across three campuses. Sharon served on the school's board until her death. Before this, she worked as a licensed realtor.
She volunteered her time with many groups. These included the United Way and the Antelope Valley Hospital Gift Foundation. She also helped the Antelope Valley Crime Task Force and Care Net. For five years, she was on the board of directors for the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. In 1998, California Governor Pete Wilson appointed her to the Antelope Valley Fair board. She managed the fair's operations and budget until 2002.
She was also very involved with her church, Grace Chapel Church in Lancaster, for over 30 years.
Awards and Recognitions
In 2013, Sharon Runner received the Marian Bergeson Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognized her work helping women run for office.
In November 2014, she received the Spirit of Leadership Award. The Scleroderma Foundation of Southern California gave her this award. It was for her efforts to get more funding for scleroderma research.
Family Life
Sharon married George Runner in 1973. They had a son named Micah, and a daughter named Rebekah. Rebekah serves in the U.S. Coast Guard. Sharon and George also had four grandchildren. Through her marriage, Sharon was an aunt to Major League Baseball player Casey Fien.
Health Journey and Passing
In 1984, at age 30, Sharon Runner was diagnosed with scleroderma. This is an autoimmune disease that affected her lungs. On February 24, 2012, she had a successful double-lung transplant. This surgery took place at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. She left the hospital ten days later. To focus on her recovery, she decided not to run for re-election in 2012.
Sharon Runner was a member of the Scleroderma Foundation's Legislative Committee. She worked to get federal funding for scleroderma research. She also served on the Advisory Committee for Sierra Donor Services. This group helps with organ donation.
She often connected with other lung transplant patients. In 2014, she was chosen to ride on the 11th annual Donate Life Rose Parade Float. She rode with 29 other people who had received organ donations.
Sharon Runner passed away at her home on July 14, 2016. Her death was due to "respiratory complications."
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Sharon Runner
