Name Manny Diaz | ||
Manolo J. Diaz (born July 4, 1953 in San Francisco, California) is a former California State Assemblyman who served from 2000-2004. He left his seat in 2004 to make an unsuccessful run for the State Senate. Diaz represented the 23rd District. He was a San Jose city councilman from 1995 to 2000 prior to going to the Assembly.
Contents
- Beginnings
- Pre Assembly career
- Senate race
- City Council race 2006
- Personal and education
- Election history
- References
Beginnings
Diaz was one of four children, raised in San Francisco's Mission District. His first job, at age nine, was delivering newspapers. Diaz has stated that education was his way out of poverty.
Pre-Assembly career
Diaz worked as an engineer for 17 years prior to going into politics. He served on the San Jose Planning Commission from 1986-1993 before going to the City Council in the 1994 elections.
Senate race
Diaz ran for the 13th Senate District seat in 2004 after John Vasconcellos was termed out. Diaz ran against Elaine Alquist, the wife of Vasconcellos' predecessor in the Senate, Al Alquist. He lost by a margin of 50%-46%.
City Council race, 2006
Diaz attempted to regain his seat on the City Council in 2006; however, he lost to Sam Liccardo by a margin of 61%-39%.
Personal and education
Diaz is married to Sandra Diaz, who works in crime prevention for the city of San Jose, and they have one child. Diaz is an alumnus of California State University, San Francisco.
Election history
2006, San Jose City Council District 3
2006, California State Senate District 13 (Democratic Primary)