He was also the unsuccessful Republican party nominee for California Attorney General in 1998, losing to Democrat Bill Lockyer.
Stirling served in the Assembly from 1976 until 1982 representing the southeast portion of Los Angeles County including Whittier, Hacienda Heights and Diamond Bar.
Stirling began a six-year career as the general counsel for the State Agricultural Labor Relations Board in the Deukmejian Administration.
In the general election, he faced then State Senate President Pro Tem Bill Lockyer.
Thirty two days after leaving the Attorney General's office, Stirling became the vice president of the Pacific Legal Foundation.