Runners reflect on their careers

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press August 4, 2000

By THOMAS FRANCIS
Valley Press Staff Writer

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - For a politician and a political activist, a week's stay in Philadelphia, amid countless statues and paintings of Jefferson, Franklin and Washington, probably inspires a renewed perspective about the reasons for choosing the political life.

The Union League Club in downtown Philadelphia, where Lincoln and other Civil War figures reportedly met to consider the state of the nation, seemed an apt place to ask George and Sharon Runner, the Antelope Valley's most visible, energetic couple, to reflect on their own foray into politics.

"It's not any specific issue as much as it is the process, the fact that we live in a country where we can participate in the arena of ideas," George Runner said. "To me, that arena has always been an exciting place to be."

George Runner is the Assemblyman for the state's 36th District, which includes Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley.

Sharon Runner, his wife, has spread her volunteer time across the spectrum of public-service positions, from the Antelope Valley Fair Board to Neighbors Who Care and, most recently, as one of the five chief campaign organizers for the George W. Bush presidential campaign efforts in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties.

"I feel Bush is a good candidate, so give me a chance to call people," Sharon Runner said. "I love the organization; I love to recruit people to do things on the campaign. They go running when they see me coming."

She is in Philadelphia as a Republican delegate and George Runner joined her as an alternate delegate.

Prior to their engagement in politics, the Runners founded Desert Christian School in Lancaster in 1977. With that completed, George Runner ran for Lancaster City Council in 1992, won, then served as mayor in 1995-96 and won election to the Assembly in 1998.

Sharon Runner calls herself a "behind-the-scenes person," and has prided herself on her organizing and campaign energy, working most of the last decade with the Republican Central Committee and previously on the Bob Dole 1996 presidential campaign.

But she also admits that she's thought about one day campaigning for her own election.

"Yes, I have (considered public office), but more so that I could serve and change policy, not that I would change any of George's policies," Sharon Runner joked.

"But it's something I could do in the future, whether it be City Council or some other way to serve the community."

If so, she could probably count on her husband's endorsement during the election. As for sharing endorsements of other candidates, though, that is less of a guarantee.

"Philosophically, we agree on most core issues," Sharon Runner said, "but there are instances where he may have supported a candidate and I felt I wouldn't lend my name to it."

The Runners also differ a bit in their method of delivering a political message.

While George Runner hits the government chambers, committees and lobbies, Sharon Runner is inclined to hit the streets.

"I love it," she said of activism. "I want to protest the Democratic National Convention, but George tells me that's for college kids to do."

"Sharon's the zealot," George Runner admitted. "I'm a little more reserved."

George Runner's own political ambitions will be tested in the nottoo-distant future. He is up for reelection in the fall and is the overwhelming favorite to win, but the biggest question is what he'll do after his term limits expire in 2002.

He is not yet giving any clue about what his next move will be, but he seems to still be interested in a job representing the Valley.

"We've got redistricting coming (in 2001) and who knows what would happen at that time?" George Runner said. "But I think it's important to have leaders at every level that understand the needs of people in the Antelope Valley."