William Wheeler Monning (born April 2, 1951) is an American politician who was elected to the California State Senate in 2012. A Democrat, he served in the 17th Senate District which encompasses the Central Coast. Monning was reelected to the Senate in 2016 for a second and final term. Education, the environment and public health are areas of particular interest to Senator Monning. Before his election to the State Senate in 2012, Monning served in the California State Assembly, representing the 27th Assembly District.