Mariko Yamada

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Mariko Yamada (born 23 October 1950) is a Democratic assemblywoman from California's 8th Assembly district. Assemblywoman Yamada was elected in 2008 after defeating West Sacramento mayor Christopher Cabaldon in a competitive Democratic primary, a defeat that many considered an upset win for Yamada. She is the third consecutive woman from Davis to be elected to this seat following in the footsteps of Helen Thomson and Lois Wolk.

Education

Assemblywoman Yamada received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and received her masters degree in social work from the University of Southern California.

Political Career

Prior to serving in the Assembly, Ms. Yamada represented the city of Davis on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors.

Career

Assemblymember Yamda's experience includes a decade in Washington, D.C. in federal service, first with the U.S. Census Bureau working on the undercount reduction campaign of the 1980 Census. She later worked as an investigator with Civil Rights division of the United States Department of Commerce. Assemblymember Yamada also co-produced and co-hosted "Gold Mountain, D.C.", a jazz and information show on WPFW 89.3 FM.

Personal

Assemblymember Yamada and her husband, Mr. Janlee Wong live in the city of Davis. They have two children -- Meilee who is a 2007 alumna of the University of Southern California and Midori who is a 2008 alumna of the University of California at San Diego.