Biography

Steve Cottrell is a fourth-generation Californian –– born in San Francisco, raised in Arcata and for the past thirty years a resident of Nevada City.

He's been editor of four weekly newspapers and for the past seventeen years has taught local Gold Rush history through the national Elderhostel program while addressing groups as diverse as the Huntington Library, California Legal Heritage Institute, Conference of California Historical Societies, D.A.R. and the American Bar Association.

Cottrell began his political life in 1979 as a member of the Nevada County Board of Education, a position he held for six years including a term as president. Shortly after taking office, he registered as a Libertarian and was with Ed Clark later that year when Ed announced his candidacy for President of the United States.

Steve has also served on the Nevada City Planning Commission, is a past president of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce and twice has been named Citizen of the Year for his community involvement.

At the present time, Cottrell is serving his sixteenth year on the Nevada City Council and is the immediate past mayor. He has held public office for 23 of the past 29 years -- most as a registered Libertarian.