Jack O'Connell (politician)

For Australian politician, see Jack O'Connell (Australian politician)
For other people named Jack O'Connell, see Jack O'Connell (disambiguation).
Jack O'Connell
26th State Superintendent of Public Instruction of California
In office
January 5, 2003  January 3, 2011
Governor Gray Davis
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Preceded by Delaine Eastin
Succeeded by Tom Torlakson
Member of the California State Senate
from the 18th district
In office
December 5, 1994  November 30, 2002
Preceded by Gary K. Hart
Succeeded by Roy Ashburn
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 35th district
In office
December 6, 1982  November 30, 1994
Preceded by Gary K. Hart
Succeeded by Brooks Firestone
Personal details
Born Jack T. O'Connell
(1951-10-08) October 8, 1951
Glen Cove, New York, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Doree O'Connell
Alma mater California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Long Beach
Profession Politician
Teacher

Jack T. O'Connell (born October 8, 1951) is an American politician and the former 26th California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to the post in November 2002 with 61% of the vote. He was re-elected to his post by receiving a majority (52%) of the vote in the Primary election on June 6, 2006, thus avoiding a November run-off. He is a member of the Democratic Party. O'Connell was unable to run for a third term in 2010 due to term limits and was succeeded by former state assemblyman Tom Torlakson.

Early political career

O'Connell previously served in the California State Senate representing the 18th District from 1994 to 2002. O'Connell considered a bid for President Pro Tem of the State Senate in 1998 but ultimately decided not to run. He also served in the California State Assembly representing the Central Coast-based 35th District from 1982 to 1994. Before his election to the Legislature, O'Connell served on the Santa Barbara County School Board.

Personal life

O'Connell was born in Glen Cove, New York. In 1958, he moved with his family to Southern California, where he attended local public schools. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from California State University, Fullerton and earned his secondary teaching credential from California State University, Long Beach in 1975. He returned to Oxnard High School, his high school alma mater, to teach for several years and later served on the Santa Barbara County School Board.[1]

2006 Re-election

In his 2006 re-election campaign, he won every county in California with at least an electoral plurality. Although the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is officially a non-partisan position, O'Connell is a member of the Democratic Party, and political parties will routinely make endorsements of candidates in the election (which was the case with O'Connell).

See also

References

  1. "Biography - Biographies (CA Dept of Education)". Cde.ca.gov. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
Political offices
Preceded by
Delaine Eastin
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
January 5, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Succeeded by
Tom Torlakson
Preceded by
Gary K. Hart
California State Senator, 18th District
December 5, 1994 – November 30, 2002
Succeeded by
Roy Ashburn
California State Assemblyman, 35th District
December 6, 1982 – November 30, 1994
Succeeded by
Brooks Firestone
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