Ellen Corbett Remembered

Ellen Corbett, a giant of East Bay and state government, died on Friday at age 69. The cause of death was not immediately revealed. 

Corbett served as the first directly elected woman mayor of San Leandro from 1994 to 1998 before moving on to the state assembly from the 18th District from 1998 to 2004 and the state senate from the 10th District from 2006 to 2014. She was Senate Majority Leader from 2010 to 2014.

She ran unsuccessfully for Congress from the 15th District in 2014, just missing the runoff in a race ultimately won by Eric Swalwell. 

In her time in Sacramento, Corbett built a reputation as an advocate for public education, the environment, and consumer protection. 

Earlier, she had taught government at Chabot College in Hayward.

At the time of her death, she was serving on the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) board, which she had been elected to in 2016. 

“Ellen was an incredible champion of our mission and a tireless advocate for communities to have access to open space, public parks, and nature,” said EBRPD General Manager Sabrina Landreth. 

San Leandro’s school superintendent, Dr. Michael McLaughlin, remembered her as a tireless advocate for schools locally and in Sacramento.

“Ellen’s passion for public service was evident in every role she took on,” McLaughlin said. “In our school district, she was a tireless advocate for increased state funding and was instrumental in securing vital state support for our schools. 

In 2022, she received the first Champion of San Leandro Award from the San Leandro City Council and then-Mayor Pauline Cutter. Another former mayor, Stephen Cassidy, presented it. 

San Leandro Mayor Juan González said Friday, “Tonight, we mourn the loss of the Honorable Ellen Corbett, a dedicated and experienced public servant whose contributions to our community will inspire future generations.” 

“Her legacy of service and stewardship will continue to inspire us all,” he added.