Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) has been selected for the prestigious Rodel Fellowship Class of 2027, joining 24 other state and local elected leaders from across the country. She is the only California official in the class.
“This is an incredible honor, especially as I finish my first term in the Assembly,” Hadwick said. “I came to Sacramento determined to work hard, build relationships with my colleagues and deliver results for the people of District 1. Being selected for this fellowship is meaningful recognition of that approach, and I’m grateful to the colleagues who saw something in my work and leadership.”
Founded in 2005, the Rodel Fellowship brings elected leaders from both political parties together for three multi-day seminars over two years. Guided by leading scholars, fellows discuss ethical leadership, democratic principles and the responsibilities of public service. More than 450 elected officials have participated in the program.
California alumni include former Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Attorney General Rob Bonta, former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, State Treasurer Fiona Ma, and former Assembly Republican Leaders Kristin Olsen and Chad Mayes. Other alumni include former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords.
“To be selected for a fellowship with such a remarkable history, including leaders who have served in Assembly Republican leadership, is especially meaningful to me,” Hadwick said. “We may come from different places and hold different views, but public service asks all of us to listen, build relationships and do the work.”
Hadwick represents California’s 1st Assembly District, spanning 11 rural counties from the Oregon border through the Sierra Nevada. Before joining the Assembly, she worked as a teacher, school safety specialist, dispatch supervisor and deputy director of emergency services. She also served as a school board president and owns Hadwick Family Farm with her family in Modoc County. In the Assembly, she serves as vice chair of the Agriculture and Emergency Management committees.
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished for rural Northern California in my first term, and I know there is much more to do,” Hadwick said. “I want to bring the experiences of our farmers, families and small communities into this national conversation. I’m looking forward to learning from my classmates, building lasting relationships and bringing new ideas home to the district.”
The Rodel Fellowship Class of 2027 includes:
Imani Barnes, Georgia state representativeThomas Beadle, North Dakota state treasurerJustin M. Bibb, mayor of Cleveland, OhioEliot Bostar, Nebraska state senatorDerek Brown, Utah attorney generalNick Brown, Washington attorney generalBarbara Buffaloe, mayor of Columbia, MissouriLaura Cadena, Dallas City Council member, TexasBarry Crago, Wyoming state senatorChris Croft, Kansas state representativeJohn Damoose, Michigan state senatorDaniel Elliott, Indiana state treasurerSteve Fitzpatrick, Montana state representativeHeather Hadwick, California state assemblymemberTristan Leavitt, West Virginia state delegateEmerson Levy, Oregon state representativeJames Lomax, Alabama state representativeBritt Raybould, Idaho state representativeMike Reichenbach, South Carolina state senatorErick Russell, Connecticut state treasurerHeidi Silverio, Providence Public School Board member, Rhode IslandWilliam C. Smith, Jr., Maryland state senatorKristin Stephens, Larimer County commissioner, ColoradoAngela Stroud, Wisconsin state representativeJulia Wheatley, mayor of Queen Creek, Arizona
