Candidate for
State Senator; District 37

Sedalia L. Sanders is the Democratic Candidate for the California State Senate 37th District

Sedalia Sanders served as Mayor and Councilmember of the City of El Centro from 1984 to 1999

Sedalia began her political career in 1982 as a member of the Board of Trustees of El Centro Community Hospital, now known as El Centro Regional Medical Center. This position catapulted her into a distinguished career beginning in August of 1984 when the Mayor and Councilmembers of the city of El Centro appointed her to fill the vacancy of a retiring Councilmember. She ran to retain the seat in a special election in March of 1985. She went on to serve the city for the next 15 years as Councilmember and three terms as Mayor, until voluntarily steeping down in November of 1999.

She emerged as a state and national figure when she was elected in 1995 to be President of the League of California Cities and 1996 she was elected, for a two year term, to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. Sedalia is the first elected official from El Centro to hold these post. And she is the first woman from Imperial County to be elected President of the League of California Cities. In her capacity as President of the League of California Cities and Director of the National League of Cities, she steadfastly championed issues important to cities.

In 1992, Governor Pete Wilson appointed her to his Task Force on Rural Competitiveness. She chaired the K-12 Education Sub-Committee. Governor Wilson called on her again in 1994 - this time to serve as Vice-Chair of his Rural Development Council. This group made policy recommendations for rural Californians on such diverse issues as: Economic Development, Job Creation and Retention, Education, Health Care, Affordable Housing, Public Safety and Transportation.

Sedalia is a native of El Centro, California. She is one of nine children. Her parents are Edith L. White, a retired Elementary School Teacher and the late Eddie White.

Sedalia has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and she is a Graduate of the College of Medical Technology, Minneapolis, Minnestoa.

Her Political Career Highlights Are:

Councilmember, City of El Centro, 1984-1999; Three terms as Mayor; Chair, Imperial Valley Association of Governments (IVAG), 1989-1990 and 1996-1997; President, Imperial County Division, League of California Cities, 1989-1990 and 1990-1991; State League of California Cities, President, 1995 1996; Director, Board of Directors, National League of Cities, 1996-1998; Vice-Chair Rural Development Council, 1994-1998; Director, Board of Directors, California Elected Women's Association for Education and Research (CEWAER) 1992-1994

Sedalia's Professional Career Experience:

Public Health Laboratory Technoician; Administrative Analyst; Project Coordinator; Program Manager, Imperial County Public Health Department Employee, 1965-current.

Member of CSEA: California School Employees Association, Imperial County Technical Unit, Chapter #2004

President, Kiwanis Club of El Centro, 1993-1994

Awards:

1977 "Employee of the Year", County of Imperial; 1979 "Outstanding Faithful Service." Sweethome Baptist Church, El Centro; 1980 "V.I.P." Babe Ruth Baseball, Imperial and San Diego Counties; 1986 "Sojourner Truth Meritorious Service Award", National Association of Negro Professional and Business Women, San Diego Branch; 1989 "Kiwanian of the Year", El Centro Kiwanis Club; 1989 "Fascinating Woman," Imperial Valley Press, El Centro; 1990 "Woman of the Year", Imperial County Womanhaven, El Centro Chapter; 1992 "Emma V, Kelley Achievement Award", Grand Temple of Daughters of IBPOE of W (Elks).

Sedalia and, her husband, Albert have been married for 37 years. She is the proud mother of two sons and proud grandmother of four grandsons.