[2] Tanner's political career began as a volunteer for the 1956 Adlai Stevenson II presidential campaign[2][3] followed by experience as an Administrative Assistant to both 58th District California Assemblyman Harvey Johnson for ten years[3] and Congressman George E. Danielson.

[3][4] The committee generally considered bills relating to environmental pollutants, chemical and toxic hazards, and product safety.

"[3][6][7][8] It mandates refunds, replacements or compensation to consumers for life-threatening problems unfixed in new vehicles for the first 18,000 miles or 18 months, whichever is first.

[2] In 2009, as part of Women's History Month, Assemblyman Wes Chesbro named Tanner to be the First Assembly District's Woman of the Year.

[3] Chesbro said, "The Northcoast was very fortunate when one of California's great environmental leaders, Sally Tanner chose to move to Ferndale for her retirement.

Sally has lived quietly in Ferndale, but she has been a great source of wisdom and advice for me and my predecessors in the Assembly, Patty Berg and Dan Hauser.