Retired legislator Patricia “Pat” Wiggins, who served as Humboldt County’s representative in the State Senate from 2006-2010 has died at the age of 73. 

Born in Pasadena, Wiggins was elected a member of the Santa Rosa City Council in 1994 before moving on to serve three terms in the State Assembly in 1998. In 2006 she defeated Republican Lawrence R. Wiesner to represent California’s 2nd State Senate district. In late 2009, she announced she would not seek a second term due to health issues.

There will be a memorial in Santa Rosa on Nov. 3. Read more in a press release from Wiggins’ office below:

Patricia “Pat” Wiggins died today in Sonoma County, CA, after a long illness. Pat’s life included a public service as a member of both the California State Assembly and California State Senate.  

“Pat lived life to the fullest,” said Guy Conner, Wiggins husband of 30 years. “As a parent, friend and public servant, Pat’s considerable talents and vivacious personality leave the people she touched far better off.”

Wiggins achieved significant local and statewide policy changes that reflected her love of the North Coast and its way of life, including adopting “smart growth” provisions in state planning and funding critical research on the phylloxera virus that devastated vineyards in the 1990s. 

“Pat was a great friend and tremendous public servant. I’ve known her since before I started my career in public office,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “She was with me in my earliest campaigns. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for her guidance. Pat devoted her life to public service and to the idea that each of us has a responsibility to make our communities better places. Because of her work, Sonoma County has been left stronger for our kids and grandkids.”

A native Californian from Pasadena, she moved to Santa Rosa in 1984.

She was elected to the Santa Rosa City Council in 1994, serving thru 1998. In 1998, Pat won election to the State Assembly. She served three terms, left the Assembly in 2004, and was elected to the State Senate in 2006. Pat retired from the Senate in 2010 after her term ended.

“I will always remember Pat as a gracious, thoughtful and visionary public servant, but more importantly, a reliable and trusted friend,” Senate President pro tempore Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said. 

Pat put herself into the public spotlight despite developing a profound hearing deficit later in life, which required technologically advanced hearing aids to overcome.  She rarely spoke of her condition and never let it affect her work.  While some doubted that a severely hearing-impaired person could even effectively campaign for office, Pat’s policy achievements while in office showed a determination and spirit that defined her public service record.

“Pat Wiggins was a powerful leader for her constituents and for all of the people of California,” said Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro. “Representing overlapping districts in the Assembly and state Senate, we were legislative partners who worked together to defend the coast, restore fisheries and protect rural health care and education. Pat Wiggins leaves a lasting legacy that will touch the lives of every Californian for many years to come.” 

She leaves a legacy of cooperation and innovation, one that shows what communities can do when they pull together. 

Pat actively nurtured the development of other people for public office.  She played a key role in the election of literally scores of local and state elected officials from the North Coast, changing the landscape of local elected bodies toward a more progressive and publicly accountable frame of mind.

Pat is survived by her husband, Guy, her two stepsons, Steve Silverman of Scottsdale, Arizona, and James Silverman of Owings Mills, Maryland, and her four grandchildren, Shane, Ava, Leah, and Solana.   

A celebration of her life will be held at the Friedman Center in Santa Rosa at 1:00 Sunday, November 3. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Sonoma Land Trust, or to the Pat Wiggins Fund at Conservation Action Fund for Education.