Joel Anderson (born February 11, 1960) is an American politician serving as a member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. A Republican, he is a former California state senator, assemblyperson, and board member of a municipal water district. During his time in the Legislature, Anderson served on the board of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as California state chair. Early life and education Born and raised in Detroit, Anderson moved to San Diego County, California with his family when he was in high school. Anderson graduated from Grossmont College with an associate's degree in business administration. He attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and received a bachelor's degree in finance and business administration from the university. He has served within his community as treasurer on the board of the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County, a member of the board of the Water Conservation Garden, director of proceedings of the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, and as a volunteer at River Valley Charter High School. Political career San Diego activism In 1998, Anderson campaigned for a seat in the California Assembly but lost the election. In November 2002, he was elected to the Division 5 seat on the Padre Dam Board—representing Blossom Valley, Flinn Springs, Alpine, Crest and Harbison Canyon—with 44 percent of the vote while campaigning on the issues of fiscal responsibility and decreasing spending. Anderson criticized incumbent members of the board for excessive travel and for putting together a customer service center that cost more than he believed was necessary. After Anderson was elected, the Padre Dam Board voted unanimously to postpone the building project. In August 2003, the Padre Dam Board voted to build a new office building at the Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve; Anderson voted against the spending measure, and it passed 3–2 with a cost limit of $6 million. In 2006, Anderson was the Board President of the Padre Dam Water Board. California State Assembly (2006–2010) Anderson was elected to the California Assembly in 2006, as a representative of the 77th Assembly District in East San Diego County, California. His campaign issues included border security, combating illegal immigration, decreasing taxes and fighting government waste, and promoting Jessica's Law in order to prevent sex offenders residing nearby educational facilities and local parks. He received endorsements in his 2006 campaign, from Republican politicians in San Diego County including Ray Haynes, State Senator Bill