Delaine Eastin, influential East Bay and statewide official, passes at 76

Eastin was first woman to serve as state superintendent. Wiener-Wahab Bay Area transpo bill moves forward; Hayward mayor tried to mothball homelessness task force; Sign-stealing season in Berkeley

Delaine Eastin at a rally in Union City a week before the 2018 California gubernatorial primary. PHOTO/Steve Tavares

—REMEMBRANCE—Words of condolences and praise for Delaine Eastin’s accomplishments and life in East Bay and statewide politics poured in on Wednesday as news of her passing reverberated across the region.

—Eastin died of complications from a stroke on Tuesday. She was 76.

• “California lost an icon in our school system today. Delaine Eastin’s legacy as a trailblazer in public education will forever inspire us,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

• “Delaine was a champion for public education and a dynamic East Bay leader. She was a mentor to many and broke glass ceilings; clearing a path for younger generations of women to lead and make change,” said state Sen. Aisha Wahab.

• “Her service has inspired a generation of women in politics and touched the lives of countless students. My deepest condolences to her loved ones,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

—ALL BEGAN IN THE U.C.—Eastin started her political career on the Union City Council where she served for six years beginning in 1980.

She moved on to the state assembly in 1986 where she represented the East Bay and parts of Santa Clara County until 1992.

—RISE TO STATEWIDE OFFICE—In 1994, Eastin made the leap to statewide office by becoming the first woman elected as California’s superintendent of public instruction.

—During two terms in office, ending in 2003, Eastin supported smaller class sizes, shrinking bureaucratic waste, improving school nutrition, and universal pre-school.

Eastin passed away in Davis, Calif. on Tuesday following complications from a stroke.

—Over the next 15 years, Eastin pulled away from the political spotlight, but continued working behind-the-scenes and providing guidance for the next wave of female leaders in the East Bay and beyond.

—A RETURN TO POLITICS—In 2018, Eastin reintroduced herself to California voters with a run for governor.

—Although, Eastin garnered just over three percent of the gubernatorial primary vote, her hallmark direct, no-nonsense personality and progressive chops endeared her to a new generation of young people.

THERE’S MUCH MORE INSIDE! Subscribe today to receive all the East Bay political news in your inbox every weekday morning at 6 a.m.