Assemblywoman Bonilla Hires Van de Brooke

Here is a bit of interesting news out of Concord as Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla hired Tomi Van de Brooke as her District Director. Van de Brooke, its a step down after two straight campaign loses after she represented Ward II, Contra Costa Community College Governing Board for 7-years. If you recall, during this past June’s primary, Candace Andersen defeated Van de  Brooke pretty badly in the Contra Costa County Supervisor race.

In the primary, Andersen took 59.62% of the vote (29,203) compared to Van de Brooke  who took just 28.356% (13,888).  Van de Brooke also lost her Ward II race this past November to Vicki Gordon 28, 893 (34.19%) to 27,247 (32.25%).

This move appears to be nothing more than a gear up for the 2016 showdown against Joan Buchanan for Mark DeSaulniers seat where he terms out.  Bonilla appears to want Van de Brooks voting base for a head start.

Solid hire here and should do very well as a staffer with her connections and fundraising ability for “team Bonilla”. It will be interesting to see how the Buchanan campaign responds.

Here is the official press release from Bonilla’s office.

CONCORD – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) announced today that Tomi Van de Brooke will serve as her District Director.

“I have an ambitious agenda for my second term in the Assembly and I am proud to add Tomi to my team of talented professionals who are helping me serve my constituents,” said Bonilla, who was reelected in November 2012 to represent the 14th Assembly District. “I have known Tomi for many years and have worked with her in local government and education. She has proven skills, established relationships and high standards, and I am confident that she will build upon the reputation of my district office, which has done an outstanding job connecting with the residents and communities I represent.”

“I am honored to become Assemblywoman Bonilla’s District Director,” said Van de Brooke. “She is an effective leader who has made a difference on a range of issues including education, foster care, and economic development. I particularly admire her dedication and successful efforts to improve life in the Monument Corridor.”

Tomi Van de Brooke represented Ward II on the Contra Costa Community College Governing Board for seven years, serving twice as Board President. She started and ran her own small business, and was the managing partner of a Walnut Creek communications firm. Van de Brooke also worked for the California Alliance for Jobs, an organization dedicated to rebuilding California’s aging infrastructure, and most recently she served as Chief of Staff for the District III County Supervisor in the San Ramon Valley. She has served on a number of non-profit boards including the Contra Costa Council, East Bay Economic Development Alliance, and the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation.

Van de Brooke was born and raised in Contra Costa County and attended local public schools. She and her husband reside in Orinda with their two sons.

Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla was first elected to the Assembly in November 2010, and represents California’s 14th Assembly District, which is comprised of the north and central portions of Contra Costa County and southern portion of Solano County.