Bill Essayli

American politician

Bill Essayli


Member of the California State Assembly from the 63rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 5, 2022
Preceded by	Anthony Rendon (redistricting)

Personal details
Born	Bilal Ali Essayli (1985-11-24) November 24, 1985 (age 38)^[1] Corona, California
Political party	Republican
Education	Chapman University School of Law

Bilal Ali "Bill" Essayli is an American lawyer and politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is the first Muslim elected to the California State Assembly. A Republican, he represents California's 63rd State Assembly district, which includes Canyon Lake, Corona, Eastvale, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Norco, Riverside, Temescal Valley, and Woodcrest.^[2]

Early life

Essayli's parents are immigrants from Lebanon who fled to the country to escape its civil war.^{[citation needed]}

Education

Essayli is the first member of his family to graduate from college. He received his undergraduate degree from the Kellogg Honors College of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Chapman University School of Law.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Essayli served as an intern in the White House Counsel's Office in 2008. He then worked in private practice, where he focused on employment law. Then he joined the Riverside County District Attorney's office as a prosecutor. He then became an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Among the cases he worked on was the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino.^[3]

Political campaigns

In 2018, Essayli ran for the California State Assembly against incumbent Democrat Sabrina Cervantes. He lost the election, but made a strong showing, which raised his local profile.

In 2022, Essayli ran for the state Assembly in the newly created 63rd Assembly District. He defeated Eastvale Mayor Clint Lorimore in the primary and businesswoman Fauzia Rizvi in the general election.

Personal life

Essayli is the first Muslim in history to be elected to the California State Assembly.^[4]

References

^ "JoinCalifornia - Bill Essayli".
^ "Biography - AD63 | ESSAYLI". 12 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
^ "Bill Essayli for Assembly".
^ Christopher, Ben (5 May 2018). ""I'm not running for president": How the California Republican Party tries to put on a new face in the era of Trump". Calmatters.