Committees

Accomplishment has been a hallmark of Jim Nielsen's career. Jim was raised on a small farm in the San Joaquin Valley, and he graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Business. After college, Jim Nielsen first worked as a ranch foreman; then founded a company that utilized rice hulls and rice straw for fuel; and, eventually operated his own cattle ranch. In 1978, Jim Nielsen was elected from the North State to his first of three terms in the State Senate, where he served as Senate Republican Leader from 1983-1987. In the Senate, Jim quickly established himself as a tough-on-crime conservative who championed the cause for lower taxes. Nielsen also authored legislation to promote welfare reform and reduce welfare fraud, including the renowned GAIN program, and he authored and coauthored bills to promote agricultural exports. After leaving the Senate, Nielsen continued his leadership on conservative issues, including service as Chairman of the Board of Prison Terms where he established a tough record of keeping hardened criminals behind bars. Jim is married to Marilyn; has two daughters, Prima and Brandi; three sons, Jim, Adam and Bryan; and one granddaughter, Logan.