By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara resident and former State Senator Elaine Alquist, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024, at the age of 79.
A longtime Mission City resident, Alquist made history as the first Greek American woman elected to the California State Legislature in 1996.
Alquist served in the California State Assembly from 1997 to 2002.
Senator Alquist authored the groundbreaking Silver Alert to aid in the search for missing seniors.
In 1993, Alquist married Al Alquist who was a legendary political figure and State Senator from 1966 to 1996.
Before entering politics, Elaine served as a school counselor and was a dedicated member of the Cupertino Union School District Board of Education.
Dear Community,
While Elain was in Office, I called upon her for help in working for the Community.
She never turned me away or had me call back and never return that call.
I know she worked all day for little people through hearing her early talks at the La Raza Roundtable de California.
Our East Valley Family is truly saddened.
In Community Spirit,
Danny Garza
Ironworkrdanny@yahoo.com
President
Plata Arroyo Neighborhood Association and Gateway East N.A.C.
Please extend my sympathy to Senator Alquist’s family. I attended several of her Health
Conferences in Sunnyvale. She had introduce us to Kamala Harris at one
of these conferences. The Senator and her husband had many dinners at a local restaurant here in Santa Clara. I was always impressed and felt blessed by her friendliness toward me. She would come over to my booth at the restaurant and sit and chat awhile. She was a lovely person and I will always remember her smile and joyful personality.
May God bless and comfort her family.
Alma Guillot
Condolences to Senator Alquist’s family. This is very sad news.
Mayor Gillmor and I spoke with Sen. Alquist in February at her house. We were walking in her neighborhood for the No on Measure B campaign. Senator Alquist was very supportive of keeping the elected police chief and allowed us to place a sign in her yard.
Thank you, Senator Alquist, for your service in Sacramento as well as in education. May your memory be a blessing.
Elaine was a great Santa Claran. In 2009, she played a key role to mandate voting m regards to stadium construction. Elaine got a bill passed requiring such projects be voter approved. So Elaine’s support for the elected chief and clerk made sense as she vote for the right to vote.