With Bush in, Runner relaxes - for now

Assemblyman's wife still volunteering

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press December 15, 2000

By LISA WAHLA
Valley Press Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Her pager no longer fills with dozens of messages, and the days of 400 e-mails awaiting replies are mercifully over.

After working full-time on George W. Bush's presidential campaign since November 1999, Sharon Runner finally can sit back and relax in the afterglow of aiding a successful drive to the White House.

More likely she'll remain just as busy with her work on the numerous volunteer groups she helps lead. Runner's high energy, people skills and organization make her an asset to every campaign she touches, say those who work with her.

"She is among the brightest, most people-oriented, highly skilled managers I've ever seen," said Bush's L.A. region campaign chairman, Stephen Kass. "If I'm asked to be involved in a political campaign again, one of first things I'd do would be to call Sharon to see if she'd do it with me."

Runner directed about 2,500 Bush volunteers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and locally within the 25th Congressional District. She kept tabs on the get-outthe-vote effort, recruited volunteers and helped organize a local GOP presence at key events, such as Bush's October stop in Burbank.

Runner even spoke at two Bush rallies near the Staples Center this year, emerging from the behindthe-scenes role she prefers. She also took the lead on the "Yes on T" campaign, the successful Palmdale initiative to build a Wal-Mart in east Palmdale, and helped with husband George's re-election to the state Assembly.

"I don't know how that woman keeps going," said fellow Bush volunteer Donna Beach. "She's so full of energy and she's very positive, ... very steady and very genuine."

Volunteer Lisa Moulton was impressed by Runner's delegating and problem-solving skills, which came in handy with absentee-voting snafus and other situations as Election Day neared.

"She didn't lose her cool, even when she had 15 people talking to her, asking questions," Moulton said. "I'd stand back and be amazed. She does it all and she does it well."

Runner, Beach and Moulton called themselves the "Bushettes" and could finally take deep breaths following Vice President Al Gore's concession Wednesday. The three spent Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, where they met former first lady Nancy Reagan at a book signing.

Runner said the Reagan Library was an appropriate place to be the day Bush claimed victory, because she believes Bush will "bring integrity back to the White House" as it was during the Reagan era.

Runner said she takes a measure of pride in being one of "hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the country" who helped propel Bush's narrow victory.

Her political interest started early. She registered to vote on her 18th birthday in 1972, the year the legal voting minimum age was lowered from 21. Her friends recall Runner dragging them to Antelope Valley College to register as soon as they turned 18.

She has volunteered for the Republican Party for years, serving numerous times as a delegate and district chairwoman. She ran the local arm of Bob Dole's presidential campaign in 1996.

"This was much more exciting and a lot more work," said Runner, who spent hours every day responding to e-mails from across the region.

Now she's looking forward to Bush's inauguration, which she and George will attend in Washington. Her husband was one of the first 25 legislators to sign a Jan. 20, 1999, letter encouraging the Texas governor to run. A copy of the letter with a picture of the two Georges hangs in the assemblyman's Lancaster office.

Though the inauguration won't compare to the excitement of her husband's first swearing-in in 1996, Runner said she's "thrilled" to be going to the Inauguration. "It's the chance of a lifetime."