Born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area, Jerry Hill graduated from Balboa High School in San Francisco. Hill attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree after spending a year at the College of San Mateo. He later received a secondary teaching credential from San Francisco State University. Hill went to work with his father in the family's swimming pool business that he still owns and runs. In the 1980s Hill became president of his local homeowner's association, which led him to joining the battle to prevent mid-rise buildings from being constructed in downtown San Mateo. In 1991, he led a successful campaign for a seat on the San Mateo City Council.
San Mateo City Council (1991-1998)
During Hill’s tenure on the San Mateo City Council he authored a City of San Mateo ordinance that regulated the sale of tobacco and restricted smoking in public places. While a member of the city council and as Mayor of San Mateo, Hill also served as a board member for San Mateo Transit District and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Authority. Hill served a term as mayor in 1994
Elected to the San Mateo CountyBoard of Supervisors in 1998, Hill worked with stakeholders to establish a new homeless shelter for the county that was farther from local neighborhoods, yet more accessible for the people who depend on the services. Hill also led the charge to expand the Children’s Health Initiative so 17,000 children would get the health care they needed by leading health care leaders to explore the funding mechanism of the county’s nonprofits without any additional cost to the average taxpayer. While serving on the California Air Resources Board, Hill worked to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources while preserving the economic stability of the state and as chair of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Hill has tightened anti-pollution rules
California State Assembly (2008-2012)
Despite a strong showing by Millbrae Mayor Gina Papan, daughter of former Assembly Member Lou Papan, and Richard Holober, President of the San Mateo County Community College Board and consumer advocate, Hill won the Democratic primary for California's 19th State Assembly district in June 2008. The primary is often tantamount to election for the highly Democratic district. In the November 2008 general election, Hill earned 73 percent of the vote against Republican Catherine Brinkman's 23 percent. Hill succeeded South San Francisco Democratic Assembly memberGene Mullin, who had been termed-out of office. Hill was re-elected in 2010 with a similar percentage of the vote.
California State Senate (2012- )
Jerry Hill announced his campaign for the California State Senate after the California Citizen's Redistricting Commission released the new map of the 13th District. In the June 2012 primary election, Hill finished first among four competitors, with 51% of the vote. In 2015, Hill held a public hearing on the measures utilities were taking against forest fires. Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric said they prevent reclosers from automatically restoring power in fire season. Pacific Gas and Electric said it could do this but it would increase power outages.
Awards
Hill has been recognized by the California Healthcare Institute which named him its Legislator of the Year. Hill has also received recognition from the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS, TechNet, TechAmerica, California State Sheriffs Association, and California Small Business Association. He has received 100% voting records from LGBT community, California Labor Federation, Sierra Club, League of Conservation Voters, Consumer Federation of California, Congress of California Seniors, Equality California, and Planned Parenthood. The California Clean Money Action Fund named Jerry Hill "Clean Money Champion" for "his leadership in pushing for real reform".
