Jared Huffman (D-CA-6)

Jared Huffman California District 6

Jared Huffman, Biography from California Assembly

Biography of Assembly Member Jared Huffman

Elected to the Assembly in November 2006, Assembly Member Jared Huffman has earned respect as a legislator who tackles complex public policy challenges, works tirelessly, and gets results – often by forging consensus on seemingly intractable issues. In his first three years, he was among the state’s most prolific lawmakers, passing 30 pieces of legislation. As Chair of the Assembly’s Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, he was also instrumental in crafting and passing an historic package of water reforms in 2009.

One of Assembly member Huffman’s inspirations in politics is his hometown hero, President Harry S. Truman. Growing up in Independence, Missouri, Huffman’s earliest political memory was seeing Truman walking around the town square. Huffman still collects memorabilia and books on Truman.

Huffman’s priorities include protecting California’s environment and creating new jobs through policies that reduce global warming pollution and increase energy independence. He is one of the legislature’s leading advocates for sustainable water, land use and transportation policies. Revitalizing public education, improving our broken health care system and ensuring consumer protection are also among Assembly member Huffman’s top priorities.

Huffman brings unprecedented environmental policy experience to the Assembly. Prior to his election, he was a Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). One of his proudest accomplishments at NRDC was helping forge an agreement that is restoring a 153-mile stretch of the San Joaquin River in California’s Central Valley. Restoring the San Joaquin River is one of the largest river restoration projects in our nation’s history.

Prior to joining NRDC, Huffman was a successful public interest attorney in private practice. His court victories included several major jury verdicts in gender discrimination and race discrimination trials, and a historic case on behalf of the National Organization for Women that required all California State University campuses to comply with Title IX, creating new athletic opportunities for thousands of female scholar-athletes throughout the state.

Huffman’s first run for public office was in 1994 at the age of 30, when he won a seat on the board of the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD). He was re-elected twice and served a total of 12 years on the MMWD board, including three terms as Board President.

Huffman graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Santa Barbara, and cum laude from Boston College Law School. Prior to law school, he was a three-time NCAA All-American athlete and member of the World Champion United States Volleyball Team. Huffman’s competitive edge, honed from many years as an athlete, continues to serve him well: he is one of the few attorneys-turned-legislator who can claim to have never lost a trial or an election.

Assembly member Huffman lives in Marin with his wife Susan, and their two children. In his free time, Huffman enjoys all types of fishing, as well as tennis and home winemaking.

Huffman represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes southern Sonoma County and all of Marin County.

Assembly Member Huffman’s Committees