Ken Cooley

From Ballotpedia

Ken Cooley
Image of Ken Cooley

Candidate, California State Assembly District 7

California State Assembly District 8

Tenure

2012 - Present

Term ends

2022

Years in position

9

Compensation

Base salary

$114,877/year

Per diem

$211/day

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 3, 2020

Next election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of California, Berkeley, 1977

Law

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1984

Contact

Ken Cooley (Democratic Party) is a member of the California State Assembly, representing District 8. He assumed office on December 3, 2012. His current term ends on December 5, 2022.

Cooley (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the California State Assembly to represent District 7. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 8, 2022. He advanced from the primary on June 7, 2022.

Cooley formerly was a candidate for the 2011 special election to District 1 of the California State Senate.

Biography[edit]

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

Cooley earned his B.A. in political science from University of California Berkeley in 1977 and his J.D. from Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1984. His professional experience includes working as the mayor of Rancho Cordova since 2002. Cooley worked as a staff member for Assemblyman Louis J. Papan from 1977-1985. He went on to practice law for 3 years, until returning to the Assembly as Chief Counsel to the Assembly's Finance and Insurance Committee. From 1991 until his retirement in 2008, he worked as Legal Counsel for the State Farm Insurance Companies. At State Farm, he specialized in law and policy formation as it relates to homeowners, renter, drivers, and business operations. Since 2009 he has worked for the State Senate, serving as Principle Consultant to the Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee. Cooley has lived in Rancho Cordova since 1977 with his wife Sydney. They have two sons.[1]

Committee assignments[edit]

This membership information was last updated in March 2021. Ballotpedia completes yearly updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2021-2022

Cooley was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Cooley was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

California committee assignments, 2017
Governmental Organization
Insurance
Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security
Rules, Chair
Rules, Chair

2015 legislative session[edit]

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Cooley served on the following committees:

2013-2014[edit]

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Cooley served on the following committees:

[edit]

The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections[edit]

2022[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2022

General election

The candidate list in this election may not be complete.

General election for California State Assembly District 7

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Josh Hoover are running in the general election for California State Assembly District 7 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/hooverjosh.jpg

Josh Hoover (R)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 7

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Josh Hoover defeated Raymond Riehle, Jeffrey Perrine, and Quintin Levesque in the primary for California State Assembly District 7 on June 7, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)
 
51.0
 
55,682

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/hooverjosh.jpg

Josh Hoover (R)
 
34.0
 
37,097

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Raymond_Riehle.png

Raymond Riehle (R) Candidate Connection
 
8.4
 
9,194

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Jeff_Perrine.jpg

Jeffrey Perrine (R)
 
5.5
 
6,026

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Quintin Levesque (R)
 
1.1
 
1,212

Total votes: 109,211
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign finance[edit]

2020[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2020

General election
General election for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Cathy Cook in the general election for California State Assembly District 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)
 
55.1
 
126,969

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/CathyCook.jpeg

Cathy Cook (R) Candidate Connection
 
44.9
 
103,496

Total votes: 230,465
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Cathy Cook advanced from the primary for California State Assembly District 8 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)
 
57.0
 
73,444

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/CathyCook.jpeg

Cathy Cook (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.0
 
55,376

Total votes: 128,820
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2018

General election
General election for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Melinda Avey in the general election for California State Assembly District 8 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)
 
55.8
 
95,450

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Melinda Avey (R)
 
44.2
 
75,742

Total votes: 171,192
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for California State Assembly District 8

Incumbent Ken Cooley and Melinda Avey defeated Janice Bonser and Lawrence Ray Murray in the primary for California State Assembly District 8 on June 5, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Ken_Cooley.jpg

Ken Cooley (D)
 
53.9
 
53,490

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Melinda Avey (R)
 
41.1
 
40,792

Image of tmp/1ZaJhQ8nokOy/data/media/images/Janice_Marlae_Bonser_.jpg

Janice Bonser (L)
 
3.0
 
3,017

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Lawrence Ray Murray (Independent)
 
2.0
 
2,025

Total votes: 99,324
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2016

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[2]

Incumbent Ken Cooley defeated Nick Bloise in the California State Assembly District 8 general election.[3][4]

California State Assembly, District 8 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Ken Cooley Incumbent 57.01% 104,552
     Republican Nick Bloise 42.99% 78,848
Total Votes 183,400
Source: California Secretary of State


Incumbent Ken Cooley and Nick Bloise defeated Janice Marlae Bonser in the California State Assembly District 8 Blanket primary.[5][6]

California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Ken Cooley Incumbent 58.25% 61,704
     Republican Green check mark transparent.png Nick Bloise 34.58% 36,630
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 7.16% 7,588
Total Votes 105,922

2014[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2014

Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Ken Cooley (D) and Douglas Haaland (R) defeated Janice Marlae Bonser (L) in the blanket primary. Cooley defeated Haaland in the general election.[7][8][9]

California State Assembly, District 8, General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley Incumbent 56.7% 62,892
     Republican Douglas Haaland 43.3% 48,057
Total Votes 110,949
California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley Incumbent 51.8% 35,294
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDouglas Haaland 41.1% 28,049
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 7.1% 4,830
Total Votes 68,173

2012[edit]

See also: California State Assembly elections, 2012

Cooley won election in the 2012 election for California State Assembly, District 8. He advanced past the June 5, 2012 blanket primary, defeating John Thomas Flynn (R), Barbara Ortega (R), Philip Tufi (R), and Janice Marlae Bonser (L). Cooley defeated Peter Tateishi (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[10][11][12]

California State Assembly, District 8, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley 54.3% 92,630
     Republican Peter Tateishi 45.7% 78,006
Total Votes 170,636
California State Assembly, District 8 Blanket Primary, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKen Cooley 42.6% 33,034
     Republican John Thomas Flynn 6.3% 4,853
     Republican Barbara Ortega 20.1% 15,592
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngPeter Tateishi 23.5% 18,237
     Republican Philip Tufi 3.1% 2,424
     Libertarian Janice Marlae Bonser 4.3% 3,368
Total Votes 77,508

2011[edit]

See also: State legislative special elections, 2011; California state legislative special elections, 2011

Cooley was defeated by Republican Ted Gaines in the January 4, 2011 special election to California State Senate District 1.[13]

Campaign themes[edit]

2022[edit]

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Ken Cooley has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia is seeking 100 percent participation so voters can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

  • 694 candidates completed the survey in 2021. This number represented 13.5% of all 5,138 candidates Ballotpedia covered in 2021. Out of the 694 candidates who completed Ballotpedia's candidate survey, 147 won their election. Candidates from 36 states completed the survey. Noteworthy respondents included Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Read the 2021 report for more information about that year's respondents.
  • 4,745 candidates completed the survey in 2020. This number represented 16.4% of all 29,002 candidates Ballotpedia covered in 2020. Out of the 4,745 respondents, 743 won their election. Candidates from all 50 states completed the survey. Noteworthy respondents included U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, U.S. Representative Kat Cammack, and U.S. presidential candidate Jo Jorgensen. Read the 2020 report for more information about that year's respondents.

You can ask Ken Cooley to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing ken@kencooley.com.

Twitter

Email

2020[edit]

Ken Cooley did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2011[edit]

Cooley's 2011 special election campaign site emphasized several key policy positions and campaign themes:

  • Jobs: "I know this election is about jobs. Still, I see a more fundamental need. California needs what we’ve lost -- a Legislature known for problem-solving instead of personal attacks. As your Senator, I’ll work on jobs. But job creation will lag, and families will suffer, until our Legislature regains a reputation for productive work, including on-time State Budgets. I pledge myself to work daily on jobs and restoring the Legislature’s honor."
  • A Respected Leader: "I'm known statewide. Between 2004 and 2009, city officials from Modoc to Sacramento County helped me become the #2 officer for California’s League of Cities. I’m also a respected voice in the Capitol. In 2007 the Governor appointed me with Senate confirmation as Seismic Commissioner for California’s cities."
  • Budget: "My home and work have made conservative financial principles a lifetime habit. This common sense way for my Church bookkeeper wife and I to manage our home was refined, along with my finance analysis skills, during 18 years as Counsel to State Farm Insurance, one of America’s most conservative financial institutions. Finally, I know that when government honors its trust, everyone gains. Rancho Cordova, which has balanced every budget, with yearly surpluses, last year earned a higher credit rating, despite the recession!"

Campaign donors[edit]


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.



Ken Cooley campaign contribution history
Year Office Result Contributions
2016 California State Assembly, District 8  ✔ $656,566
2014 California State Assembly, District 8  ✔ $1,403,358
2012 California State Assembly, District 8  ✔ $4,112,876
2011 California State Senate, District 1  ✖ $16,599
2002 California State Assembly, District 10  ✖ $37,979
Grand total raised $6,227,378

Source: Follow the Money


2016[edit]

Cooley won re-election to the California State Assembly in 2016. During that election cycle, Cooley raised a total of $656,566.

California State Assembly 2016 election - campaign contributions
Top contributors to Ken Cooley's campaign in 2016
California State Council Of Laborers$17,000
State Building & Construction Trades Council Of California$10,500
Association Of California School Administrators$8,500
American Federation Of State County & Municipal Employees / Afscme$8,500
California State Council Of Service Employees$8,500
Total raised in 2016$656,566
Source: Follow the Money

2014[edit]

Cooley won re-election to the California State Assembly in 2014. During that election cycle, Cooley raised a total of $1,403,358.

2012[edit]

Cooley won election to the California State Assembly in 2012. During that election cycle, Cooley raised a total of $4,112,876.

According to Follow the Money, the California Democratic Party’s top contributions were made to Cooley for the District 8 Assembly seat.[14] The California Democratic Party gave nearly $2.2 million to Cooley.[15][16]

Scorecards[edit]

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in California

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of California scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017


2016


2015


2014


2013


2012

Endorsements[edit]

2014[edit]

In 2014, Cooley's endorsements included the following:[17]

  • California Association of Highway Patrolmen
  • Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
  • American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) AFL-CIO
  • Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
  • California Federation of Teachers, AFT AFL-CIO
  • SEIU California
  • California School Employees Association
  • California Democratic Party
  • Professional Engineers in California Government
  • Association of California State Supervisors
  • California Association of Professional Scientists
  • California State Retirees
  • Sacramento County Asian-Pacific Islander Democratic Club
  • Youth Connections Unlimited Sacramento

See also[edit]


External links[edit]

  • Search Google News for this topic
  • Footnotes[edit]

    1. kencooley.com, "Biography," accessed March 13, 2014
    2. California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
    3. California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
    4. California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
    5. California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
    6. California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
    7. California Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 27, 2014
    8. California Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed July 15, 2014
    9. California Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 14, 2014
    10. California Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed March 13, 2014
    11. California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed March 13, 2014
    12. California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General election results," accessed March 13, 2014
    13. Roseville Press-Tribune, "Ted Gaines wins Senate race," January 4, 2010
    14. Neon Tommy, "Four Races That Helped Make California State Assembly Democratic Supermajority Viable," accessed November 14, 2012
    15. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named contributions
    16. Follow the Money, "Top Contributors," accessed November 15, 2012
    17. kencooley.com, "Endorsements," accessed May 8, 2014

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -
    California State Assembly District 8
    2012-Present
    Succeeded by
    -


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    Categories: [Current member, California State Assembly] [Democratic Party] [California] [2011 special election] [2011 defeated]


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