Chris Holden

Chris Holden
Majority Leader of the California State Assembly
In office
December 1, 2014  March 10, 2016
Preceded by V. Manuel Perez
Succeeded by Ian Calderon
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 41st district
Assumed office
December 3, 2012
Preceded by Anthony Portantino (redistricted)
53rd Mayor of Pasadena
In office
May 1997  May 1999
Preceded by Bill Paparian
Succeeded by Bill Bogaard
Personal details
Born (1960-07-19) July 19, 1960
Pasadena, California
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Melanie Holden
Alma mater San Diego State University
Profession Small businessman

Christopher Holden (born July 19, 1960) is an American politician currently serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Democrat representing the 41st Assembly District, which encompasses the northern San Gabriel Valley.[1]

He is 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.

History

Prior to being elected to the Assembly, Holden was a Pasadena city council member, and a former mayor of the city, serving from 1997 to 1999.[3] He is the second longest-serving city councilmember 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.

Electoral history

Pasadena General Election, 1999
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Bogaard 11,576 60
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 7,760 40
Total votes 19,336 100.0
Voter turnout %

2014

California's 41st State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 35,296 98.1
Republican Nathaniel Tsai (write-in) 394 1.1
Republican Samuel S. Forsen (write-in) 120 0.3
Libertarian Ted Brown (write-in) 84 0.2
Republican Linda Hazelton (write-in) 83 0.2
Total votes 35,977 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 62,810 59.3
Republican Nathaniel Tsai 43,126 40.7
Total votes 105,936 100.0
Democratic hold

In 2014, Holden was reelected to the Assembly with 59% of the vote. Nathaniel Tsai,[4] the 18-year-old challenger to Holden, finished with 41% of the vote.[5]

Legislation

In his first term, Holden introduced legislation to require California schools to teach about the significance of the Barack Obama presidency.[6] He introduced legislation to tackle the problem of grease thievery at restaurants.[7] He also introduced legislation to study and foster economic development and job creation.[8]

References

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