Senator George Runner

Elected in November 2010, taxpayer advocate George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the California State Board of Equalization.

Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature. Runner and his wife, Senator Sharon Runner, are the authors of California’s Jessica’s Law and honorary co-chairs of Proposition 83-Jessica’s Law which was passed by more than 70 percent of California voters in November 2006. He also authored the well-known California Amber Alert, which has resulted in more than 200 successful reunions of children with their parents, as well as California’s Blue Alert, which uses Amber Alert technology when a peace officer has been killed, seriously wounded or assaulted with a deadly weapon and the suspect has fled the scene.

Prior to his election to the State Senate in 2004, Runner served in the State Assembly for three terms, from 1996 to 2002. Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Runner served on the Lancaster City Council, including two years as mayor. In 1976 the Runners founded Desert Christian Schools, which is now one of the largest private schools in the State of California.

George and Sharon are the first husband and wife in California history to serve concurrently in the Legislature. They are proud parents of their son Micah, daughter-in-law Sandy, daughter Rebekah, son-in-law James, and three grandchildren.