William Jules Filante (October 22, 1929 – December 9, 1992) was an American physician and politician from California and member of the Republican Party.
State Assembly Filante first won election to the Marin-Sonoma based 9th district in the California State Assembly in 1978 by defeating Democratic incumbent Michael Wornum. Thanks to his moderate voting record, Filante became a pro at winning crossover votes, enough to hold his left-leaning seat with relative ease for 7 terms. In 1992 he vacated his assembly seat when he ran for election to the Congress.
Congressional race Filante made a run for the Marin county-based 6th Congressional district being vacated by Democrat Barbara Boxer, who was running for the United States Senate. Even though the 6th District was heavily Democratic, Filante had represented a large chunk of it in the state legislature for 14 years and tried to parlay his moderate reputation into a win. However, just before the start of the campaign, Filante underwent brain surgery and spent most of the race recuperating. Fellow GOP assemblywoman Bev Hansen often served as his surrogate. In the end, Democrat Lynn Woolsey won handily. Filante died of a brain tumor later that December.California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.7 (July 1992) "Complete Primary Results". StateNet Publications, July 1992.
Personal life He was Jewish.
Electoral history + Member, California State Assembly: 1979-1993YearOfficeDemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct1978California State Assembly District 9Michael Wornum46,48543.4%Bill Filante55,30451.7%1980California State Assembly District 9Anne Charles59,78645.2%Bill Filante67,60351.1%1982California State Assembly District 9Paul Chignell55,03544.9%Bill Filante67,61955.1%1984California State Assembly District 9Paul Chignell63,86743.4%Bill Filante83,40256.6%1986California State Assembly District 9Joanna Willman53,55345.1%Bill Filante65,15454.9%1988California State Assembly District 9Francis Parnell65,06543.5%Bill Filante84,66156.5%1990California State Assembly District 9Vivien Bronshvag52,65942.5%Bill Filante63,67251.4%1992U.S House of Representatives District 6Lynn Woolsey190,32266%Bill Filante98,17134%
References
External links JoinCalifornia, Election History for the State of California