Dan McCorquodale

Dan McCorquodale (born December 17, 1934, in Longville, Louisiana) is an American politician from Newton, Texas, a former California State Senator, and a member of the Democratic Party.

Early career
Before entering politics, McCorquodale was a teacher in the California public schools. McCorquodale then served as a Santa Clara County Supervisor, winning election in 1972 and being reelected in 1976 and 1980.

State Senate
In 1982, McCorquodale was elected to the San Jose based 12th district in the California State Senate, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Dan O'Keefe. Early career[edit] From 1953 to 1956, McCorquodale was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After graduating from college and before entering politics, he served as a public school teacher in California. In 1964, he was the youngest person ever elected to the City Council in Chula Vista, where he served as Mayor from 1968 to 1969. Moving to San Jose, McCorquodale spent a year walking precincts—almost daily—to introduce himself to voters in Santa Clara County’s Third Supervisorial District. In 1972, “Walking Dan” as he was called upset an entrenched incumbent and was elected to three terms representing north and east San Jose, a portion of the City of Santa Clara, and the cities of Milpitas and Sunnyvale. Twice he served as Chairperson of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. During his three terms on the Board, he distinguished himself in the issues of environmental protection, transportation, water reclamation, parks, justice, and health and human services.

Awards and Honors
(partial list)[edit] 1986 - Legislator of the Year, California Trial Lawyers Association 1987 - Humanitarian of the Year, Humane Society 1988 – Legislator of the Year, California Planning and Conservation League 1991 – Legislator of the Year, National Organization for Women 1991 – Elected Official of the Year, California Governor’s Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons 1992 – Legislator of the Year, California Park and Recreation Society

Defeat
In 1986, he won a difficult reelection against Santa Clara County Supervisor Tom Legan. Although he won easy reelection in 1990, McCorquodale lost his seat in 1994 to Dick Monteith a conservative Republican businessman. His senate district had shifted from his home base of San Jose into the more conservative Central Valley after reapportionment partly leading to his defeat in a mid-term election in which the GOP made significant gains.