Sharon Quirk-Silva is a mother, teacher, former Mayor of Fullerton and former Member of the California State Assembly representing the 65th Assembly District.

Sharon has deep ties to Orange County.  Sharon has lived in Fullerton since she was two years old, was educated in Fullerton's public schools, earned her associate of arts degree from Fullerton College, received her bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and secured her California Teacher Credential from California State University, Fullerton, which named her one of its 50 leading Latina graduates.

Sharon found her passion for education, helping her community as a college student.  She currently teaches at Golden Hill Elementary School. Education is a family affair.  Her husband Jesus Silva teaches math at Nicolas Junior High School and her four children, Molly, Catherine, Patrick and Jack Ryan, all attended local public schools.

As a wife and mother Sharon understands the challenges California families face in today’s difficult economy.  As a teacher she is passionate about all Californians having access to a quality education. As a former Councilwoman and Mayor she earned a reputation for solving problems and working together. That’s what teachers do with their students, and that’s how she approaches public service.

As a former Councilwoman and Mayor, Sharon earned a reputation for solving problems and working collaboratively as a part of a team. That’s what teachers do with their students, and that’s how she approaches public service.  Sharon knows it doesn’t take a Democrat or a Republican to pave a street, fix a pothole or rebuild an aging bridge.  It takes people working together, regardless of party, to find common ground when solving the state’s challenges.

Her history of local service guides her philosophy on how state government should operate.  Sharon believes strongly in transparency, innovation and collaboration.  An advocate for reaching out to citizens, Sharon created the popular “Walk and Talk” program in Fullerton, in which she led citizens on walks through specific areas of the community and discussed issues of concern. Solutions are found at home in our neighborhoods- not with special interests that have overrun our State Legislature in Sacramento.

Sharon’s priorities are simple: 

• Use constituent feedback to prioritize the issues important to our community.

• Focus on finding and adopting solutions, not scoring political points.

• Work across party lines to move our state forward.  

• Demand Orange County be treated fairly by state government.