Chris Holden

Chris Holden
Majority Leader of the California Assembly
In officeDecember 1, 2014 (2014-12-01) – March 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)
Preceded byV. Manuel Perez
Succeeded byIan Calderon
Member of the California State Assemblyfrom the 41st district
In officeDecember 3, 2012 (2012-12-03) – November 30, 2024 (2024-11-30)
Preceded byJulia Brownley(redistricted)
Succeeded byJohn Harabedian
53rd Mayor of Pasadena
In officeMay 1997 (1997-05) – May 1999 (1999-05)
Preceded byBill Paparian
Succeeded byBill Bogaard
Personal details
Born (1960-07-19) July 19, 1960
Pasadena, California, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseMelanie Holden
Children5
Parent
Residence(s)Pasadena, California, U.S.
Alma materSan Diego State University
ProfessionSmall businessman

Christopher R. Holden (born July 19, 1960) is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2024. He is a Democrat representing the 41st Assembly District, which encompasses the northern San Gabriel Valley, and is centered in Pasadena.[1]

He was a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.[2] Prior to his election to the assembly in 2012, Holden was a mayor and City Councilmember in Pasadena. He is the son of longtime Los Angeles politician Nate Holden. Prior to his retirement, Holden served as chairman of the Appropriations Committee,[3] the most powerful position after speaker.

History

Before he was elected to the assembly, Holden was a member of the PasadenaCity Council, and a former mayor of the city, serving from 1997 to 1999.[4] Holden is the second longest-serving city council member in the city's history, having served since 1989.

Holden is an alumnus of Pasadena High School and San Diego State University. He first ran for seat 3 of the Pasadena City Council in 1985 but lost narrowly to incumbent Loretta Thompson-Glickman. He was elected four years later and was appointed mayor in 1997. During his term, the city charter was revised to allow for open election of the mayor. However, in the first citywide mayoral election, Holden was defeated by former Councilmember and former Pasadena mayor Bill Bogaard.

Holden previously served as the assembly majority floor leader.

Holden is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.[5]

Electoral history

2012 California's 41st State Assembly district election[6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden 20,718 29.4
RepublicanDonna Lowe 16,808 23.8
RepublicanEd Colton 12,399 17.6
DemocraticMichael Cacciotti 10,844 15.4
DemocraticVictoria Rusnak 9,727 13.8
Total votes70,496 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden 109,743 57.7
RepublicanDonna Lowe 80,362 42.3
Total votes190,105 100.0
Democratichold
2014 California's 41st State Assembly district election[6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 35,296 98.1
RepublicanNathaniel Tsai (write-in)394 1.1
RepublicanSamuel S. Forsen (write-in)120 0.3
LibertarianTed Brown (write-in)84 0.2
RepublicanLinda Hazelton (write-in)83 0.2
Total votes35,977 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 62,810 59.3
RepublicanNathaniel Tsai 43,126 40.7
Total votes105,936 100.0
Democratichold
2016 California's 41st State Assembly district election[6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 66,951 59.2
RepublicanCasey C. Higgins 30,017 26.6
RepublicanDan M. Taylor 8,891 7.8
IndependentAlan Reynolds 7,143 6.3
Total votes113,002 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 120,633 64.5
RepublicanCasey C. Higgins 78,817 39.5
Total votes119,450 100.0
Democratichold
2018 California's 41st State Assembly district election[6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 54,707 59.8
IndependentAlan Reynolds 25,345 27.7
DemocraticKenny Rotter 11,420 12.5
Total votes91,472 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 113,439 64.2
IndependentAlan Reynolds 63,272 35.8
Total votes176,711 100.0
Democratichold
2020 California's 41st State Assembly district election[7][6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 94,505 68.7
RepublicanRobin A. Hvidston 43,006 31.3
Total votes137,511 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 160,878 65.3
RepublicanRobin A. Hvidson 85,604 34.7
Total votes246,482 100.0
Democratichold
2022 California's 41st State Assembly district election[6]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 74,735 96.7
RepublicanMichael McMahon (write in)2,580 3.3
Total votes77,315 100.0
General election
DemocraticChris Holden (incumbent) 104,740 60.0
RepublicanMichael McMahon 69,835 40.0
Total votes174,575 100.0
Democratichold

Legislation

In his first term, Holden introduced legislation to require California schools to teach about the significance of the Barack Obama presidency.[8] He introduced legislation to tackle the problem of grease thievery at restaurants.[9] He also introduced legislation to study and foster economic development and job creation.[10]

Holden also has been a leader in the legislation to address California's wildfire crisis. He passed into law successful legislation on the topic, and was a lead negotiator during the process.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^41st District formerly covered the Santa Monica Mountains and adjacent valleys/communities, pre—2010 census and redistricting.
  2. ^"California Lawmaker Calling for Florida Boycott".
  3. ^"Welcome to Committee on Appropriations". California State Assembly.
  4. ^"Politics, Family Style". Jet. May 26, 1997. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  5. ^"Legislative Progressive Caucus". assembly.ca.gov. California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  6. ^ abcdef"Chris Holden". Ballotpedia. November 8, 2022.
  7. ^"2020 Primary Election"(PDF). elections.cdnc.sos.ca.gov.
  8. ^"Calif. Schools To Teach Students About 'Significance' Of Obama Presidency". August 26, 2014.
  9. ^"Bill tackles odd crime of grease thievery from restaurants". SFGate.
  10. ^"New Assemblyman Chris Holden Introduces First Bill". December 4, 2012.
  11. ^"Holden's Wildfire Legislation Signed into Law".
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