Delaine Eastin

Who is Delaine Eastin?

Delaine Eastin is an American politician. She served as the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1995 to 2003. A native Californian, Eastin received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis, and her master's degree in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. After teaching political science and women's studies for seven years, Eastin served as a corporate manager for Pacific Telesis Group, a position she held until her election to the State Assembly. Eastin now lives in Davis. Prior to her election as State Superintendent, Eastin served four terms in the State Assembly representing parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, and chaired the Assembly Committee on Education. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Eastin was unable to run for a third term in 2002 due to term limits and was succeeded by former State Senator Jack O'Connell.

On November 8, 1994, Eastin was elected to a four-year term as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, becoming the highest-ranking official in California's elementary and secondary public school system and the first woman to be elected State Superintendent.