Diane Harkey

Diane Harkey
Diane Harkey
Born	June 20, 1951 (age 75); Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Public official, politician, banker
Years active	1989–present
Known for	Member of the California State Board of Equalization (2015–2019), California State Assembly (2008–2014), Mayor of Dana Point (2007–2008)
Political party	Republican Party

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Diane Harkey, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025

Diane Lynn Harkey (born June 20, 1951) is an American public official who represented the fourth district on the California State Board of Equalization from 2015 through 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she previously held office on the Dana Point City Council between 2004 and 2008, serving as Mayor from 2007 to 2008. Additionally, Harkey was a legislator in the California State Assembly from 2008 until 2014. In the 2018 congressional elections, she was the Republican contender for California's 49th congressional district but was defeated by Democrat Mike Levin.

Early life and education

Originally from Joliet, Illinois, Harkey relocated to California during her childhood. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of California, Irvine, graduating cum laude.

Career in banking

Harkey’s professional background spans three decades in corporate banking and financial services, including holding a vice-presidential role within the banking sector.

Dana Point

Harkey’s political engagement began in 1989 when she advocated for establishing the City of Dana Point. She served on its City Council from 2004 to 2008 and held the mayoral position in 2007. Her community involvement included board membership at the Ocean Institute, support for the Dana Point Fifth Marine Regiment Group, trusteeship with the Capistrano Valley Symphony, and active participation in the Chamber of Commerce.

2006 State Senate race

In 2006, Harkey narrowly missed securing the Republican nomination for the 35th State Senate District, losing to Assemblyman Tom Harman by a slim margin of 225 votes (0.2%). Harman subsequently won the general election by a wide margin.

Service in California State Assembly

During the 2008 election, Harkey ran as the Republican candidate for the 73rd Assembly district. Her campaign received endorsements from prominent Republicans such as Congress members, Assemblywoman Mimi Walters, former rival Tom Harman, and over eighty elected officials. She secured victory with 53.4% of votes compared to Democrat Judy Jones’s 40.6%, serving from November 2008 until November 2014.

State Board of Equalization tenure

Term-limited in the Assembly by 2014, Harkey pursued election to the California State Board of Equalization representing its 4th district, which includes Imperial, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties along with portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. She finished second in the June nonpartisan primary with a 34.0% vote share and triumphed in the November general election with 61.6%. In 2017, her peers selected her as chair of the board.

Opting not to seek another term in 2018, Harkey instead campaigned for Congress in California's 49th district. Her service on the Board concluded in January 2019.

Legislative focus and controversies

Harkey’s district encompassed cities such as Aliso Viejo, Coto De Caza, Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Trabuco Canyon.

She was an outspoken critic of the California High-Speed Rail project and introduced measures aimed at halting its funding.

In a 2017 audit by the California Department of Finance concerning a conference held within Harkey’s district, it was revealed that ninety-eight board employees were assigned duties including registration and parking lot management; Harkey denied any role in directing staff assignments.

That same year, an audit by the California State Personnel Board recommended termination of one of Harkey’s aides after discovering that this aide worked remotely from New York and that Harkey’s team exerted improper pressure on BOE leadership to obtain a permanent civil service appointment for that individual.

Committee assignments

Chair of the Business Tax Committee
Member of the Franchise Tax Board
Former member of the State Assembly; served as Vice Chair for the Assembly Committees on Revenue and Taxation and Appropriations

Immigration

Harkey calls for enhanced border security measures and emphasizes this as a key priority for California. She endorses President Trump's initiative to construct a wall along the southern border.

Environment

Although she supports environmental stewardship, Harkey criticizes climate change policies that she believes negatively impact the U.S. economy. She contends that the United States should not bear the primary responsibility for global climate action when nations such as India and China produce greater greenhouse gas emissions. While opposing expanded offshore drilling in California, she favors an exemption similar to Florida’s approach.

Economic policies

Harkey supports the 2017 tax reform enacted under the Trump administration, especially its advantages for businesses; however, she disapproves of the removal of state and local tax deductions, which affects many Californians. She advocates for free trade but expresses reservations about certain Trump trade policies, anticipating these concerns will be addressed over time.

Firearm regulations

Opposing gun control legislation, Harkey asserts that "criminals will always possess firearms." She attributes school shootings more to factors like substance abuse, mental health challenges, and excessive screen time rather than gun accessibility. Her proposals include limiting cell phone use in schools, enhancing mental health services, strengthening school security, and permitting teachers who choose to carry firearms—though she acknowledges this is not a universal remedy.

Healthcare

Harkey has criticized the Affordable Care Act for driving up healthcare expenses in California and opposes expanding Medicare, which she considers ineffective. She promotes federal programs aimed at encouraging healthy behaviors among children and advancing medical technology to lower costs. Additionally, she urges increased NIH investment in mental health treatment research.

President Donald Trump

Endorsed by Donald Trump, Harkey supports many of his policies but has remarked on his lack of "charisma" and off-putting behaviors that may alienate women. She has also expressed a desire for him to reduce his activity on Twitter.

Election results

2014 Election: 4th District Board of Equalization Member
California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District election, 2014
		Votes
Party	Candidate	Imperial	Orange	Riverside	San Bernardino	San Diego	District Total	%
Republican	Diane Harkey	9,539	389,404	203,475	58,978	369,184	1,030,580	61.4
Democratic	Nader Shahatit	10,771	198,570	129,383	51,272	258,984	648,980	38.6

2012 Election: State Assembly District 73
California State Assembly District 73 election, 2012
		Votes
Party	Candidate	Orange	District Total	%
Republican	Diane Harkey	130,030	130,030	64.3
Democratic	James Corbett	72,196	72,196	35.7

2010 Election: State Assembly District 73
California State Assembly District 73 election, 2010
		Votes
Party	Candidate	Orange	San Diego	District Total	%
Republican	Diane Harkey	56,784	24,380	91,164	62.0
Democratic	Judy Jones	30,359	49,846\| 38.0\|

2008 Election: State Assembly District 73
California State Assembly District 73 election, 2008

Party	Candidate	Orange	San Diego	District Total	%

California State Senate District 35 Republican primary special election, 2006

2018 Election for California's 49th Congressional District

During the California "jungle primary" held on June 5, 2018, Harkey emerged at the forefront of a competitive candidate pool, securing a position to compete in the November general election for California's 49th congressional district. Her opponent was Democratic environmental advocate Mike Levin from nearby San Juan Capistrano, guaranteeing that the district would continue to be represented by a resident of Orange County.

In May 2018, Harkey received an endorsement from the Orange County Register for her congressional campaign. Subsequently, in July, she was also supported by the Tea Party Express, recognized as the largest tea party political action committee in the United States. Later in August, President Donald Trump publicly expressed strong support for Harkey via Twitter, which the San Francisco Chronicle described as a "glowing endorsement."

Ultimately, in the November 2018 election, Levin defeated Harkey, capturing 55% of the vote compared to Harkey’s 45%.

2022 Election for Orange County Board of Supervisors, 5th District

In her 2022 bid for a seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 5th district, Harkey finished third in the primary election with 18.5% of votes cast. As a result, she did not advance to the runoff, which featured Katrina Foley and Patricia Bates.

Personal life

Following the financial crisis in 2008, legal actions were initiated against Diane’s husband, Dan Harkey, and his business due to investor disputes related to real estate losses. Although Diane was initially named in a lawsuit filed in 2009, she was fully exonerated after a public jury trial and was dismissed with prejudice in 2013.

External links

Party	Candidate	Votes	%