Diane Harkey

Early years, education and career

Harkey resided in Coastal Orange County for more than thirty-five years. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Irvine and has served as a Vice-President in the banking industry. Harkey earned a degree in Economics from the University of California-Irvine, graduating cum laude, and has had a 30-year career in corporate banking and finance.

Political career

Harkey's involvement in public affairs began in 1989, when she actively campaigned for the incorporation of the City of Dana Point. Harkey has served as a board member of the Ocean Institute and Dana Point Fifth Marine Regiment Support Group, a trustee for the Capistrano Valley Symphony, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. She was elected to the Dana Point City Council in 2004, and served as its mayor in 2007.

In 2006, Harkey ran against then-Assemblyman Tom Harman for the 35th State Senate District in one of the closest California State Senate races in the state's history. Harman defeated Harkey for the Republican nomination by 236 votes or roughly 0.2% of the vote and went on to win the general election by 44,000 votes.

In 2008, she ran as the Republican nominee for the 73rd State Assembly district against Democratic nominee Judy Jones. Harkey received the endorsements of the Republican Congressional delegation in the district, Assemblywoman Mimi Walters (who vacated the seat to run for State Senate), former opponent state Senator Tom Harman, as well as over 80 elected officials in Orange and San Diego Counties, and the Republican Assembly Women's Caucus. Harkey won the election with 53.4% of the vote compared to Jones, who received 40.6% of the vote.

In 2014, Harkey became term-limited in the State Assembly and ran to be a member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 4th district, which encompasses Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties, as well as small portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. She came in second place in the June 3 nonpartisan blanket primary with 34.0% of the vote, and subsequently won the November general election by a wide margin of 61.6% to 38.4%.

Committee Membership

Harkey represents the communities of Aliso Viejo, Coto De Caza, Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Trabuco Canyon.

Political positions

Harkey is politically a conservative Republican: she supports Proposition 13, is in favor of controlling illegal immigration to the United States and opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants. Harkey believes in returning gold to California, increasing private sector jobs, reining in wasteful spending, reducing the debt, and balancing the state budget. She has been an outspoken opponent of California High Speed Rail, introducing several pieces of legislation to defund the project. Harkey has earned an “A” rating from the NRA and a 100% rating from the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers Association.

Policy Positions at the Board of Equalization

Expediting Taxpayer Refunds: On April 29, 2015, Board of Equalization Member Diane Harkey voted with a unanimous Board to make the taxpayer refund process more business friendly. This vote eliminated the lengthy Board approval process for taxpayer refunds in excess of $100,000 by giving staff the authority to approve refunds of any amount. Going forward, staff approval of refunds will reduce agency costs, caseloads and allow for added efficiency in the refund process.