Full Biography for Jim Cunneen

Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 24

Assemblymember Jim Cunneen (R-San Jose) represents the 24th Assembly District which is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, including Cupertino, Saratoga, Campbell, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, and portions of Los Altos, Sunnyvale, and the San Jose neighborhoods of Almaden Valley, Blossom Valley, Cambrian, Santa Teresa and Willow Glen. Cunneen was first elected in 1994 and was re-elected in 1996.

Cunneen has been appointed Vice Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee for the 1997/98 Legislative Session. He has been appointed to serve on the Assembly's Rules Committee, Budget Committee, Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, Higher Education Committee, Insurance Committee and the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration. Cunneen has also been named Co-Chair of the Legislature's Internet Caucas.

Cunneen was named Outstanding Legislator of the Year by the American Electronics Association in 1995, 1996 and 1997. He was named Legislator of the Year by the Girl Scouts, California Park and Recreation Society, California Council for Adult Education and Planned Parenthood. Cunneen also was recognized by the California Community College Faculty Members as First-Term Legislator of the Year and by the Boy Scouts of America as Distinguished Citizen of the Year. Cunneen received the 1998 Appreciation Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley.

Prior to his election, Cunneen was the Global Corporate Affairs Manager for Applied Materials, a leading Silicon Valley high-tech company. Cunneen also assists his father-in-law with marketing and promotion of a family owned furniture retail business. Previously he served as a top aide for Congressman Tom Campbell, former State Senator Becky Morgan, and former Congressman Ed Zschau.

Cunneen is active in the community serving on the Board of Directors of CHARITech and the Advisory Board of Kids Voting. Cunneen also serves on the GreatSchools Steering Committee which is part of Smart Valley, Inc. and on the Advisory Board of the Detwiler Computer for Kids Program. Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Cunneen served on the Working Council of the Santa Clara Valley Manufacturing Group. He also served as a volunteer Corporate Campaign Coordinator for the United Way and Second Harvest Food Bank. Cunneen earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1976.

Jim is married to Jennifer Cunneen, a San Jose attorney. They have one child. They make their home in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. Jim's mother is a public school teacher in Santa Clara County and his father is a retired business consultant.