Sharon Runner (May 17, 1954 – July 14, 2016) was an American politician and member of the Republican Party. She served in both houses of the California Legislature, first as a member of the California State Assembly and later as a California State Senator. Her public life focused on representing communities in the Antelope Valley and broader inland regions of Southern California.

Political career and offices

  • State Assembly (36th District): Elected to the California State Assembly in 2002, she served through 2008, representing local interests at the state level.
  • State Senate (17th and 21st Districts): She won election to the State Senate and returned to the Legislature in 2011. She represented the 17th Senate District beginning in 2011 and, after district changes, was serving the 21st Senate District at the time of her death.
  • Partisan affiliation: Throughout her legislative career she was identified with the Republican caucus and worked within that legislative context to advance regional priorities.

In these roles Runner participated in the committee work, constituent services and lawmaking duties typical of state legislators: drafting or supporting bills, responding to local concerns, and working with colleagues across party lines on regional infrastructure, public safety and budget matters. Her time in Sacramento was characterized by attention to the needs of smaller and more rural communities within the state.

Community focus and public issues

Runner's public service emphasized the practical needs of her districts. She supported efforts to improve local health services, transportation and economic opportunities, and she took part in initiatives affecting families, seniors and veterans. Like many regional legislators, she balanced statewide policy debates with constituent-driven priorities, seeking to bring state resources and attention to the Antelope Valley and surrounding areas.

Outside the Legislature, Runner was active in community organizations and civic life. She worked closely with local leaders and stakeholders to address hospital, education and public safety concerns, and she used her office to promote projects intended to strengthen regional infrastructure and services.

Runner was married to George Runner, who served on the California State Board of Equalization. From 2004 to 2008 the pair made history as the first husband and wife to serve at the same time in the California State Legislature, an unusual arrangement that drew media attention and underscored their shared engagement in state government.

Death and legacy

Sharon Runner died on July 14, 2016 at her home in Lancaster, California at age 62. Her passing was attributed to complications of respiratory failure. Colleagues and constituents remembered her for her long-standing commitment to the communities she represented and for a legislative career that bridged local concerns with state policymaking.

Her career illustrates the role of state legislators who focus on regional advocacy: combining constituent services, committee participation and bill sponsorship to address the practical needs of their districts while contributing to statewide debates. The partnership she shared with her husband remains a notable chapter in California political history.