Connie Conway


Connie Conway is a former Republican politician from California. She was the minority leader in the California State Assembly. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Conway served as a Tulare County Supervisor from 2000 until 2008. Conway serves on the State Board of Directors for California Women Lead, a women's nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

Early life

On September 25, 1950, Conway was born in Bakersfield, California.

Career

In 1988, Conway became a Wellness Coordinator at Kaveah Delta, until 1991. In 1991, Conway worked at Sweet's Home Medical, until 1994. In 1994, Conway became a District Manager at CorVel Corporation, until 2000.

2008 election

Conway entered the race to succeed termed out Bill Maze. In the primary, she faced two candidates, Rebecca Maze and Bob Smith, a retired sheriff's deputy.

Assembly Republican Leader

Following her successful re-election to the State Assembly on November 2, 2010, Conway was elected by her Republican colleagues as the Assembly Republican Leader after a closed-door meeting of Assembly Republicans on November 4, 2010. Conway stated that outgoing Minority Leader Martin Garrick had voluntarily stepped down and she had been elected unanimously. Conway is the first woman to serve as GOP assembly leader since 1981.

Early political career

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Assemblywoman Conway served on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors for 8 years. She chaired the Board in both 2005 and 2008. Assemblywoman Conway also chaired the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, an appointment she received from the governor. The partnership works to improve the economy and quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley by making policy recommendations to the governor. In 2006, Assemblywoman Conway served as president of the California State Association of Counties, which represents California's 58 counties at the state and federal levels. She later became a director of the National Association of Counties, chaired its membership committee, and worked on its economic development committee.

Background

Assemblywoman Conway attended, but did not graduate from, Fresno State University. Her father, John Conway also served on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors from 1981 until his death in 1991.