SHEILA KUEHL looks back on 20 years in office. She got things done.

Written on April 17th, 2023
SHEILA KUEHL has long been one of my favorite elected officials. A true public servant, she served 8 years in CA’s State Senate, 6 in the State Assembly, and 8 more on LA County’s Board of Supervisors. Kuehl was the first openly gay or lesbian person elected to the Legislature, first woman named Speaker pro Tem of the Assembly, and authored 171 bills signed into law. One of my go-to sages re state and local politics, now retired, we look back together at how she was so successful – not just at overcoming prejudice but also at achieving real world results. Is it possible to still succeed in today’s political climate?