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Biography

Born in Oakland, Senator Bill Emmerson has spent the majority of his life in Southern California, in Orange and Riverside Counties.

He graduated from La Sierra University in Riverside, with a B.A. in History and Political Science and continued his studies thereafter at American University in Washington, D.C. in Public Administration, while simultaneously working on staff for Congressman Jerry Pettis.  He eventually made his way back to the Golden State and joined the staff of the Assembly Republican Floor Leader, W. Craig Biddle.

In 1975, after six years of working within the Legislature, Bill enrolled at Loma Linda University for dentistry.  He graduated in 1980 with a D.D.S. degree and decided to continue his dental studies in orthodontics, graduating with his M.S. degree in 1982.  For the next 26 years, he practiced orthodontics in Hemet, California. During his practice, Bill was instrumental in the establishment of a dental hygiene program at Riverside Community College.  He is also very active in his hometown of Hemet where he serves as a member of the Ramona Bowl Advisory Board and the Hemet Kiwanis.

Elected to the California State Senate in June of 2010, after serving in the California State Assembly for 6 years, Senator Emmerson has a proven record of making Riverside County a better place to live. Currently, he is Vice-Chair of the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, the Human Services Committee, and the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. In addition, Senator Emmerson is a member of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. To further the issues facing Riverside County, Bill also serves as Chair of the Inland Southern California Caucus.

During his term in office, Bill Emmerson has been honored with numerous awards including Outstanding Assembly Member for 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 by the California State Sheriffs’ Association, Legislator of the Year by the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California, Legislator of the Year by California Society Health-System Pharmacists, and Legislator of the Year by the California Disability Services Association.  He has also received the Easter Seals Senate Leadership Award, The Value of One Legislative Excellence ARC Award, and the California Hospital Association Public Service Award.  Senator Emmerson has also passed landmark legislation to help combat poor oral health by requiring all school children to have an oral health assessment during kindergarten or their first year in school, ensuring that children receive the dental care they need.

Together Bill and his wife, Nan, have two daughters, Kate and Caroline, and two family dachshunds, Bridget and Hank.