Diane Papan is a Democratic Assemblymember representing California's 21st Assembly District, which covers the Bayside of San Mateo County from Brisbane to East Palo Alto. Elected in November 2022 and reelected in 2024 with 73.8% of the vote, she chairs the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife and serves on committees including Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, Judiciary, Transportation, and Utilities & Energy. Notable achievements include prior service as mayor and city councilmember for San Mateo, where she championed infrastructure, transit, and climate adaptation; her legislative priorities encompass climate strategies against flooding, drought, and wildfires, water quality, women’s health, gun safety, affordable housing, and public schools. A San Mateo County native raised in Daly City and Millbrae, she is 62, married to Dan with one teenage daughter, and her father, Lou Papan, was a longtime Assemblymember known as the “Dean of the Assembly.”

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.A. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles ; J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law .
• Professional Experience: Attorney at various firms, including her own private practice for small businesses; executive director of nonprofit John's Closet in Daly City, providing clothing to children in need.
• Political Experience: Mayor and city councilmember, San Mateo; California State Assemblymember, District 21 , with additional roles on select committees like Youth Mental Health, Housing Construction Innovation, and Biotechnology.