Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 73

Anna Bryson is a Republican candidate for south Orange County's 73rd Assembly District seat currently held by Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, who is not seeking reelection because of term limits. Anna is an education reformer, owns a successful small business, and volunteers in local law enforcement's anti-gang programs.

As a trustee on the Capistrano Unified School District, Anna has been one of California's leading education reformers. As she took her place on the board of the state's 10th largest school district it faced massive budget deficits and a "go along to get along" administration. Anna didn't accept that less money meant giving children a less-than-excellent education. So she got down to work.

Anna took a leading role in the often-painful process of balancing the budget while increasing educational excellence. Employees took salary reductions, competitive bidding was enacted, and anti-nepotism rules were passed. The checkbook and budget were placed on-line so parents could be empowered to act. Soon, the district was in the black.

Anna has carefully watched every dollar of spending. She recently voted to save Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Ladera, and Talega residents $59 million in taxes.

At the same time Anna was dealing with tough financial decisions she was protecting and enhancing the programs that led to better performing schools. She fought for smaller classroom sizes, protected parental rights, and supported charter school expansion. Anna has consistently worked to expand arts education. During Anna's service CUSD became the top performing large school district in the state, and has remained so for three years.

Anna's experience in a wide variety of real world business experience has helped her to be effective on the CUSD board. She was the vice president of a marketing firm that serviced major corporate clients, owned a restaurant, and currently owns IEnterprise Technologies, which was a customer-mangement software company, and now provides local businesses with government and media relations advice.

For several years, Anna has worked with local law enforcement's Gang Reduction Intervention Program (GRIP). Anna's role has been in the expansion of the program within San Clemente schools. Fluent in Spanish, she has particularly focused on Latino families with at-risk children. The program has increased literacy rates, decreased truancy and gang affiliation.

Anna is married to Dr. Bill Evers, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education and currently a Research Scholar at the Hoover Institution. She has two children, two stepchildren, and five grandchildren. Anna has received awards for her charitable work from the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the United Way. She is past president of the Orange County Federation of Republican Women.