- Jim Nielsen
James Wiley Nielson (b.
July 31 ,1944 inFresno, California ) is an American politician fromCalifornia and a member of the Republican party. Nielson served on the Yolo County Republican Committee before winning election to theCalifornia State Senate in 1978. He did so by defeating 4th district incumbentJohn Dunlap , a freshman Democrat. Nielson won easy reelections in 1982 and 1986 and served as Republican Leader in the Senate from 1983 until 1987.cite web | last = Vassar | first = Alex | coauthors = Shane Meyers | title = James Wiley Nielson, Republican | work = JoinCalifornia.com | date = 2007 | url = http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/3645 | accessdate = 2007-01-25] By 1990, however, Nielson's reputation had taken a hit. He was stung by lingering ethical issues, possible conflict of interest allegations as well as controversial statements he had made (such as when he referred to AIDS as heavenly punishment against gays).cite web | title = Complete Primary Results | work = StateNet Publications | publish date = October 1990 | accessdate = 2008-10-03] He was unseated by DemocratMike Thompson , an aide to then AssemblywomanJackie Speier . Thompson made Nielson's troubles the focus of the campaign, which Nielson lost by less than 1 percent.cite web | title = Complete Primary Results | work = StateNet Publications | publish date = December 1990 | accessdate = 2008-10-03]After leaving the legislature, Nielsen served on the Agriculture Labor Relations Board. In 1992 he was appointed to the Board of Parole and Prison Terms and served as its chairman from 1993 until 2000. Nielsen is currently the Republican nominee for the 2nd district in the
California State Assembly .cite web | last = Vassar | first = Alex | coauthors = Shane Meyers | title = James Wiley Nielson, Republican | work = JoinCalifornia.com | date = 2007 | url = http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/3645 | accessdate = 2007-01-25]References
1.^ Vassar, Alex; Shane Meyers (2007). "Jim Nielsen, Republican". JoinCalifornia.com. Retrieved on October 3, 2008
2.^ California Journal Vol. XXI, No.10 (October 1990) "Wilson vs. Feinstein". StateNet Publications, October 1990.
3.^ California Journal Vol. XXVI, No.12 (December 1990) "Complete District By District Analysis". StateNet Publications, December 1990.
External Links
* [http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/3645 JoinCalifornia] , Election History for the State of California
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