Rhonda Shader

Candidate for State Senate District 34

Rhonda Shader owns a small business. She is a former elected official from Placentia, California. She is the Republican candidate for California State Senate District 34. The election is November 3, 2026. She joined the Placentia City Council in 2016. She was later elected Mayor of Placentia. She served two terms. She says that as mayor the city started its first municipal fire department. She credits herself with budget savings and with a joint city-county infrastructure district. Shader owns an insurance agency. She is a State Farm agent. She also runs a life coaching practice. She has past work in banking and risk management. She holds a bachelor's degree in management. It is from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a paralegal degree from Rancho Santiago College. Shader has served on local boards, too. One is the St. Jude Medical Center Community Health Committee. She has also served on the Orange County Human Relations Commission. This is her second run for State Senate District 34. She lost to Democrat Tom Umberg in the 2022 general election. Umberg is not running again in 2026. So the seat is open. Shader placed second in the June 2, 2026 primary, with 49,569 votes (34.8%). She faces Democrat Avelino Valencia in the general election. Home: Placentia, California. Occupation: Small business owner. She runs an insurance agency as a State Farm agent. She is also a life coach. Prior office: Former Placentia City Council Member. She was Mayor of Placentia for two terms. She holds no office now. This is an open-seat race with no incumbent.

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