Dion Aroner
Encyclopedia
Dion Louise Aroner is a Democrat
who represented California's 14th Assembly District, including parts of Alameda
and Contra Costa
counties, from 1996 until 2002. She also lost in a special election primary to Don Perata
for the 9th District Senate
seat in 1998. She currently owns her own lobbying firm Aroner, Jewel, & Ellis with two of her former staffers. Since leaving the Assembly
, Aroner has also been part of the legislator-in-residence program at the University of California, Berkeley
. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Aroner served as the Chief of Staff to her predecessor Tom Bates
from 1972 until 1996. Bates is also the husband of Aroner's successor, Loni Hancock
.
Currently, Dion Aroner works as a public relations consultant (http://www.ajepartners.com/) for businesses and organizations that are interested in purchasing access to government officials, lobbying, and other legislative and policy influencing strategies.
Aroner's move from public servant to paid industrial consultant has not been without some controversy. One particular client of Aroner's, Pacific Steel Casting, has been the subject of several lawsuits and pollution violations, for repeatedly affecting the nearby community. In fact several local publications and reports have commented on the recent community air testing and the history of air quality complaints have led many residents to question the relationship between Pacific Steel Casting and former politicians that move into the public relations industry and begin profiting from their access to government officials.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
who represented California's 14th Assembly District, including parts of Alameda
Alameda County, California
Alameda County is a county in the U.S. state of California. It occupies most of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,510,271, making it the 7th most populous county in the state...
and Contra Costa
Contra Costa County, California
Contra Costa County is a primarily suburban county in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,049,025...
counties, from 1996 until 2002. She also lost in a special election primary to Don Perata
Don Perata
Don Richard Perata is a California Democratic politician, who was President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008. He came in second place in the November 2010 ballot for Mayor of Oakland...
for the 9th District Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
seat in 1998. She currently owns her own lobbying firm Aroner, Jewel, & Ellis with two of her former staffers. Since leaving the Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, Aroner has also been part of the legislator-in-residence program at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Aroner served as the Chief of Staff to her predecessor Tom Bates
Tom Bates
Thomas H. Bates is an American politician and is currently serving as the Mayor of Berkeley, California. He previously served 20 years as a member of the California State Assembly before being termed out in 1996. Bates is married to Loni Hancock, a former mayor of Berkeley and State Assembly...
from 1972 until 1996. Bates is also the husband of Aroner's successor, Loni Hancock
Loni Hancock
Loni Hancock is currently serving in her first term as the representative of California State Senate District 9. The 9th Senate District currently includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, and San Pablo...
.
Currently, Dion Aroner works as a public relations consultant (http://www.ajepartners.com/) for businesses and organizations that are interested in purchasing access to government officials, lobbying, and other legislative and policy influencing strategies.
Aroner's move from public servant to paid industrial consultant has not been without some controversy. One particular client of Aroner's, Pacific Steel Casting, has been the subject of several lawsuits and pollution violations, for repeatedly affecting the nearby community. In fact several local publications and reports have commented on the recent community air testing and the history of air quality complaints have led many residents to question the relationship between Pacific Steel Casting and former politicians that move into the public relations industry and begin profiting from their access to government officials.