Career
She also lost in a special election primary to Don Perata for the 9th District Senate seat in 1998. She currently owns her own lobbying firm with two of her former staffers. Since leaving the Assembly, Aroner has also been part of the legislator-in-residence program at the University of California, Berkeley.
Bates is also the husband of Aroner"s successor, Loni Hancock.
Currently, Dion Aroner works as a public relations consultant for businesses and organizations that are interested in purchasing access to government officials, lobbying, and other legislative and policy influencing strategies.