California State Assemblymember Jim Frazier said Wednesday he will resign at the end of the year to pursue opportunities in the field of transportation.
The Fairfield Democrat, whose district encompasses parts of eastern Contra Costa County along with parts of Solano and Sacramento counties, departs to join an industry he oversaw as a previous chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee.
“This is the best job that I have ever had,” Frazier said in a statement. “My future plans are to put to use my passion and experience in the transportation sector, explore new career opportunities and spend additional time with family and friends.”
It has been a joy and a privilege to represent District 11. I extend my sincerest appreciation to each of you. Thank you all. pic.twitter.com/FNaFZy8Ig4
— Asm Jim Frazier (@AsmFrazier) December 1, 2021
The lawmaker’s departure will prompt a special election, with his replacement serving out the remainder of his term, which ends in late 2022.
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom said a special election will take place in April for Assembly District 17 in San Francisco, which David Chiu vacated to become the city attorney. And in September, Mia Bonta won a special election to represent District 18, which her husband, Rob Bonta, left when he became the state’s attorney general.
Frazier, 62, was first elected to the Assembly in 2012.
More than a decade earlier, in December 2000, his daughters were involved in an auto collision, a result of black ice, as they were on their way to Tahoe. The older, who was 20, was killed, and the younger, 17, suffered serious injuries. The collision prompted Frazier to lobby Caltrans to make changes that would prevent black ice on the stretch of highway where the incident occurred, and the pursuit sparked his ongoing interest in transportation infrastructure.
Prior to joining the Assembly, Frazier served as mayor of Oakley.
Source: www.mercurynews.com