Jackie Speier is the representative for California’s 14th Congressional District.

I really played by a set of rules that you served on the Board of Supervisors and then you ran for the Legislature and then you ran for Congress. I really came to Congress too late in my political career. I was 57 years old when I got elected to Congress. It’s based on seniority, so it takes forever to get to a position of authority, and everything is run through the chairs of committees. I had the luxury in the State Legislature where I served for 18 years and had 300 bills become law. It’s a record that will probably never be broken. [But] I think that waiting my turn was something I wouldn’t recommend other people do.

Notes and references from this episode:

Congresswoman Jackie Speier - CA-14 - home page

“Rep. Jackie Speier will retire after her term ends,” by A Martinez, NPR,

Congressman Leo Ryan biography - American Experience, PBS

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple - documentary by Stanley Nelson

“Bob Swanson: The Toughest CEO in Silicon Valley,” by Robert Ristelheuber, EDN

“Gordon Moore Is the Nerdy Moses of Silicon Valley,” by J.P. O’Malley, The Daily Beast

=====

Produced, hosted and edited by Stu VanAirsdale

Theme music: Sounds Supreme

Twitter: @WhatCalifornia

Substack newsletter: whatiscalifornia.substack.com

Email: hello@whatiscalifornia.com

Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. And if you liked What is California?, please rate and review What is California? on Apple Podcasts! It helps new listeners find the show.