Ken’s career in public service began in 2002 when he went door-to-door expressing his belief in Rancho Cordova’s future as a city. Rancho Cordova, where he has lived since 1977, had been hard hit by 10 years of job loss after Mather Air Force Base’ 1993 closure. Embracing this vision, voters approved cityhood and put him on its new City Council for 10 years, including two terms as Mayor in 2005 and 2010. In the city’s first decade, Rancho Cordova grew back the Mather job losses – reaching its pre-closure job levels faster than McClellan – aided by more than a million square feet of new commercial office space.
The California Police Chiefs and firefighters support Ken because he is a strong ally and advocate for keeping our communities safe. He opposes defunding the police and has voted to increase penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence, organized theft and drug trafficking.
Ken cares deeply about families in the foster care system and is a longtime champion and advocate for foster parents and foster youth. He has sponsored a multitude of bills during his time in the State Assembly to support foster families. He holds monthly roundtable meetings with advocates and stakeholders to ensure their voices are represented in Sacramento.
Ken remembers a time when abortions were illegal, dangerous and inaccessible. He supports a woman’s right to choose and will keep fighting to make sure that California remains a place where a woman’s private healthcare decisions belong to them.
Ken is working to address the homelessness crisis in our communities. He supported millions in new funding to build more affordable housing and for additional mental health and substance abuse services. He also authored legislation to remove illegal campsites on the American River Parkway and ensure it’s safe for our community.
Ken’s entire career in public service has been based around a few key principles: connecting, listening, and respect.
He believes we are stronger when we treat those with whom we disagree with respect and actually listen to them. This is borne out by the fact that Ken has consistently earned the support of Republicans and Independents and is considered to be one of the most moderate and consensus-building legislators in the entire state.
“When outdated state regulations stopped us from expanding our medical rehabilitation facility in our community, Ken Cooley stepped in to help cut through the red tape. He worked to change the law and today we are expanding our facility to help care for the sick and those in need of rehabilitation. – Larry Kelley, President McClellan Business Park
He is a fixture in our neighborhoods—holding dozens of community gatherings and coffees to meet with neighbors. Ken listens and finds a way to help.
“It has been an honor to serve this community in the State Assembly. My wife Sydney and I have lived here for almost 40 years. We raised our family here and I am so blessed that they have stayed here. This past year we welcomed a new member to our family, our adopted granddaughter, and I will fight to make this a better place for her, her sister and all of our children. I would be honored to have your support for State Assembly.”
As an Assemblymember, Ken has been creating jobs, fighting for more transparency, helping businesses grow with targeted tax credits.