Brian Cronin

Brian C. Cronin (born September 16, 1970) served as Idaho State Representative for District 19's B seat from 2008 to 2012.[1] District 19 includes downtown Boise, the North End, East End, Foothills, Warm Springs Mesa, Foothills and Highlands areas of Boise. In 2010, Cronin was chosen by fellow House Democrats as Minority Caucus Chairman.[2]

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Brian Cronin
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
from District 19 Seat B
In office
December 1, 2008 – December 1, 2012
Preceded byNicole LeFavour
Succeeded byHolli Woodings
Personal details
Born (1970-09-16) September 16, 1970
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Verónica Franco
Alma materHaverford College
Harvard University
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and career

Cronin was born in New York City and attended elementary and junior high school in Ridgewood, New Jersey. In 1986, he moved to Idaho, where he graduated from high school. He earned a bachelor's degree in History at Haverford College in 1992.[3] In 1995, he earned an Ed.M in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University. In between college and graduate school, Cronin worked in Ecuador as a WorldTeach volunteer, teaching English at the Universidad Técnica de Manabí in Portoviejo.

After returning to the United States, Cronin taught history at Scarsdale High School in Scarsdale, New York. He then served as communications director for Junior Chamber International in Miami before returning to Idaho in 1998. Cronin worked in a variety of marketing/communication roles for Hewlett-Packard and Wirestone before starting his own consulting firm in 2003.

Personal

In 1996, Cronin married Verónica Franco Lopez. Verónica founded and directs the Garabatos Spanish Preschool in Boise. The couple has twin daughters, Kyra and Alana, born in 2002.

Political career

In 2002, Cronin worked as press secretary for gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brady, who was defeated by Dirk Kempthorne. The following year, Cronin served as press secretary for State Representative Dave Bieter in his successful bid for Mayor of Boise. Cronin ran for office in 2004, for the Idaho House seat in District 19 that was vacated by longtime Representative Ken Robison. Cronin placed second in a three-way Democratic primary, losing to Nicole LeFavour.

In 2008, when Senator Mike Burkett retired and LeFavour ran for his Senate seat,[4] Cronin ran again for state representative in District 19, defeating Republican Kevin McGowan. He was re-elected to a second term in 2010, defeating Republican John Magnan. In late 2010, House Democrats elected Cronin as their Minority Caucus Chairman.[5]

Cronin, who serves on the Environment, Energy, & Technology Committee, graduated from the Legislative Energy Horizon Institute in 2010.[6] The Institute, sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the U.S. Department of Energy, selects energy-minded legislators from both the U.S. and Canada to participate in an 18-month university certificate program in energy policy planning awarded through the University of Idaho.[7]

In the 2011 legislative session, Cronin became known as the leading voice opposing Superintendent Tom Luna's "Students Come First" reform plan. Despite his fierce opposition, Cronin earned praise from Luna and House Education Committee Chairman Bob Nonini in an Idaho Statesman profile of Cronin.[8]

Cronin's impassioned debate against the various pieces of legislation that Luna proposed was widely quoted throughout Idaho and around the country.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

In the fall of 2011, Cronin was selected as a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Each year, the Aspen Institute selects 24 “rising stars” in state or local government from around the nation for a two-year fellowship, designed to foster thoughtful leadership, bi-partisan collaboration, and new approaches to problem solving.[16] Following the 2011 legislative session, Cronin was named an MVP by the Idaho Public Employees Association along with Senator Dean Cameron (R-Rupert).[17] In November 2011, Cronin was recognized, together with Senator Denton Darrington (R-Declo), as an "Idaho Statesman of the Year" by the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society at Idaho State University.[18] And in December 2011, New DEAL Leaders—a group of "pro-growth progressives" headed up by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Senator Mark Begich (D-Alaska)--announced that Cronin was one of their honorees.[19]

Cronin did not seek reelection to the Idaho Legislature in 2012. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Holli High Woodings.

Committee Assignments

Cronin's committee assignments include:

  • Business Committee
  • Education Committee
  • Environment/Energy/Technology Committee
  • House Ways & Means Committee
  • Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs[20]
  • Information Technology Resource Management Council
  • Interim Energy Committee[21]

Awards
  • Idaho Business Review’s “Accomplished Under 40,” 2008[22]
  • A+ Friend of Education Award, Idaho Education Association
  • Food Producers of Idaho “Ag All-Star”

Community involvement
  • Commissioner, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs
  • Delegate, Idaho Human Rights Education Center mission to Jordan, 2009[23][24]
  • Vice President, Leadership Boise, Class of 2005-07
  • Board Member, Boise State Public Radio Community Advisory Board
  • Board Member, Idaho Human Rights Education Center[25]
  • Board Member, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Success Center
  • Vice Chairman, Ada County Highway District Neighborhood Advisory Committee
  • Chairman, Ada County Democrats (2005–2008)[26]
  • Volunteer: United Way Community Impact Review Team and Direct Impact Response Team
  • Volunteer: Agency for New Americans
  • Volunteer: Roosevelt Elementary School
  • Member, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce; Idaho Technology Council
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References
  1. "Representative Brian C. Cronin's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  2. "Idaho State Legislature - House Leadership". Idaho Legislature. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. "Haverford College History Department Junior Seminar Papers HC.Coll.811" (PDF). Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections. March 7, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 13, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  4. "Musical Chairs". Boise Weekly. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. Hurst, Dustin (December 2, 2010). "House Republicans retain leadership team, House Democrats fill two posts". Idahoreporter.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  6. Popkey, Dan (April 13, 2010). "Four Idaho lawmakers graduate from U of I Legislative Energy Institute". Idaho Statesman. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  7. "Legislative Energy Horizon Institute". Pacific Northwest Economic Region. Archived from the original on 2012-04-06.
  8. Murphy, Brian (March 14, 2011). "Boise Democrat Brian Cronin gives voice to the frustrated Idaho Legislature". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  9. "Rep. Brian Cronin's debate against S1108". Idaho Education Association. March 8, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  10. "Idaho legislature strips teachers' collective bargaining rights". Daily Kos. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  11. "Rep Cronin's testimony on S 1184". Idaho Education Association. April 1, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  12. "Idaho bill cuts teacher bargaining rights". The Spokesman-Review. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  13. Epstein, Jennifer. "Idaho OKs bill limiting bargaining". Politico.Com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  14. Zuckerman, Laura (March 17, 2011). "Idaho governor signs union curbs on teachers". Reuters. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  15. "Idaho Votes To Phase Out Teacher Tenure, Restrict Collective Bargaining". Fox News Channel. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  16. "About the Rodel Fellowship Program". The Aspen Institute. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  17. Botkin, Ben (May 11, 2011). "Cronin, Cameron recognized by IPEA". Times-News. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  18. "Idaho Statesman of the Year Banquet". Idaho State Journal. December 7, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  19. Blake, Aaron (December 13, 2011). "Afternoon Fix". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  20. "ICHA - Commissioners". Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  21. "Idaho State Legislature - 2011 Interim Committees - Energy, Environment and Technology Interim Committee". Idaho Legislature. October 20, 2011. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  22. "IBR announces 2008 Accomplished Under 40 honorees". Idaho Business Review. May 16, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  23. "Cultural Exchange in Jordan with Representative Brian Cronin". Boise Weekly. May 19, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  24. "Guest Blogging from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan". Boise Weekly. November 10, 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  25. "Center Sponsors Education Mission to Jordan" (PDF). Changing Hearts and Minds. Winter 2009. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  26. "Brian Cronin Leaves His Chair". Boise Weekly. January 18, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
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