American politician

James L. Brulte (born April 13, 1956) is an American politician and former chairman of the California Republican Party, having served from March 3, 2013 to February 24, 2019. Brulte formerly served as a Republican in the California State Senate, representing the 31st district, from 1996 to 2004. He also served as the Senate Republican leader from 2000 to 2004. Brulte also served as Vice-Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. He was previously the Republican Leader of the California State *embly from 1992 to 1996. Brulte is the only freshman to ever serve as a party leader in both houses of the California State Legislature.

Contents

• 1 Early life and education
• 2 Political career
• 3 References
• 4 External links

Early life and education

Brulte served in the California Air National Guard and was chosen as "Outstanding Airman of the Year" for the United States and its territories. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). Brulte is married to Superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District, Kirsten Vital Brulte.

Political career

Brulte with President George W. Bush

He was elected to the *embly in 1990 to represent San Bernardino County's 65th District and was re-elected from the 63rd District in 1992 and 1994. In 1995 as the majority leader in the *embly, Brulte was unable to prevent a democrat from being elected Speaker of the *embly.

When term limits forced Brulte out of the *embly, voters elected him to the State Senate in 1996 with 58% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2000 with 59% of the vote. Brulte retired from the Senate in 2004 due to term limits.

Brulte considered running for the State Board of Equalization in 2006; however, he decided not to run against Michelle Steel, the eventual victor.

Following the 2010 and 2012 election results in California, Brulte was widely encouraged to run for the chairmanship of the California Republican Party and was elected chairman on March 3, 2013. Coincidentally, Brulte was born in Glen Cove, New York as was his predecessor, Tom Del Beccaro.

References

External links

• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Join California Jim Brulte