Julie Bornstein (D)

Educator and Community College Trustee. Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Wife and Mother. Attorney. Chief Deputy State Controller. California Assembly Member.

Julie Bornstein’s contributions to Riverside County, to her community and to California span an extraordinary range of posts, responsibilities and policy issues. Her financial and budgeting skills, ability to persuade, organize and follow-through and her creative, persistent leadership are well known to Riverside County residents.

Julie’s public career began in 1989 when she was elected to the Desert College Board of Trustees, serving as President in 1991. In 1992 she was elected to the California Assembly, representing the Coachella Valley as part of the 80th District. In the Assembly, she distinguished herself as only the second woman and the second freshman elected by her peers to the leadership position of Democratic Caucus Chair. She was selected by the non-partisan publication California Journal as the “Rookie of the Year” in 1994. In 1997, State Controller Kathleen Connell appointed her as Chief Deputy State Controller and Chief of Staff. She served in Governor Gray Davis’ Administration as Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, serving on numerous public boards and commissions dealing with affordable housing.

Widely recognized as a national leader on housing policy, over the past few years Julie led The Campaign for Affordable Housing, a national nonprofit devoted to expanding affordable housing opportunities.

Julie Bornstein has an extensive career in community service in Riverside County. After practicing law and teaching in Los Angeles County for ten years, Julie and her husband Steve Gordon moved to the Coachella Valley with their sons in 1984. She taught at College of the Desert and practiced law while holding leadership positions in The Desert AIDS project, the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, the COD Adjunct Faculty Association, and the Jewish Federation Women’s Division, Temple Isaiah, Girls’ Club and the Palm Desert Civic Arts Committee.

In 1985, Julie joined the Democratic Women’s Association of the Desert (DWAD) and served as its President in 1987 and 1988. She also served as Chair of the California Democratic Party’s Women’s Caucus and on their Rules and Campaign Services Committees, as a member of the Riverside County Central Committee and as 80th AD Chair.

Julie and Steve have been married for over 34 years, raised their two sons in the Coachella Valley-active in public schools and youth sports. Their oldest son, Loren is an attorney in Los Angeles, married to a public school teacher and their youngest Brian, works for the federal government in Washington. Julie is the Democratic nominee for the 45th Congressional seat now held by Republican Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack.