Chris Holden

Chris Holden
Majority Leader of the California Assembly
In office
December 1, 2014 (2014-12-01) – March 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)
Preceded byV. Manuel Perez
Succeeded byIan Calderon
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 41st district
In office
December 3, 2012 (2012-12-03) – November 30, 2024 (2024-11-30)
Preceded byJulia Brownley (redistricted)
Succeeded byJohn Harabedian
53rd Mayor of Pasadena
In office
May 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
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.

Since leaving office, Holden has been the chief executive officer of LA Fire Justice, a legal organization which files lawsuits to hold those responsible for the Eaton Fire accountable.[4]

History

Before he was elected to the assembly, Holden was a member of the Pasadena City Council, and a former mayor of the city, serving from 1997 to 1999.[5] 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.[6]

After leaving the Assembly, Holden joined LA Fire Justice. Although he is the CEO, the attorney responsible for the firm is Doug Boxer, son of former US senator Barbara Boxer. LA Fire Justice has sued Southern California Edison on behalf of those whose properties were destroyed by the Eaton Fire, as well as Genasys on behalf of a woman who was killed due to delayed evacuation notices in western Altadena.[7][8]

Electoral history

2012 California's 41st State Assembly district election[9]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden 20,718 29.4
Republican Donna Lowe 16,808 23.8
Republican Ed Colton 12,399 17.6
Democratic Michael Cacciotti 10,844 15.4
Democratic Victoria Rusnak 9,727 13.8
Total votes 70,496 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden 109,743 57.7
Republican Donna Lowe 80,362 42.3
Total votes 190,105 100.0
Democratic hold
2014 California's 41st State Assembly district election[9]
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
2016 California's 41st State Assembly district election[9]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 66,951 59.2
Republican Casey C. Higgins 30,017 26.6
Republican Dan M. Taylor 8,891 7.8
Independent Alan Reynolds 7,143 6.3
Total votes 113,002 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 120,633 64.5
Republican Casey C. Higgins 78,817 39.5
Total votes 119,450 100.0
Democratic hold
2018 California's 41st State Assembly district election[9]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 54,707 59.8
Independent Alan Reynolds 25,345 27.7
Democratic Kenny Rotter 11,420 12.5
Total votes 91,472 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 113,439 64.2
Independent Alan Reynolds 63,272 35.8
Total votes 176,711 100.0
Democratic hold
2020 California's 41st State Assembly district election[10][9]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 94,505 68.7
Republican Robin A. Hvidston 43,006 31.3
Total votes 137,511 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 160,878 65.3
Republican Robin A. Hvidson 85,604 34.7
Total votes 246,482 100.0
Democratic hold
2022 California's 41st State Assembly district election[9]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 74,735 96.7
Republican Michael McMahon (write in) 2,580 3.3
Total votes 77,315 100.0
General election
Democratic Chris Holden (incumbent) 104,740 60.0
Republican Michael McMahon 69,835 40.0
Total votes 174,575 100.0
Democratic hold

Legislation

In his first term, Holden introduced legislation to require California schools to teach about the significance of the Barack Obama presidency.[11] He introduced legislation to tackle the problem of grease thievery at restaurants.[12] He also introduced legislation to study and foster economic development and job creation.[13]

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.[14]

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. ↑ "As a state lawmaker, he served Pasadena for years; after the Eaton fire, he hopes to help his community rebuild". Pasadena Star News. February 26, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Politics, Family Style". Jet. May 26, 1997. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Legislative Progressive Caucus". assembly.ca.gov. California State Assembly. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
  7. ↑ "For Altadena's Fire Survivors, a Monrovia Town Hall on the Case Against Edison – Pasadena Now". pasadenanow.com. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Altadena Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Over Eaton Fire – Pasadena Now". pasadenanow.com. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chris Holden". Ballotpedia. November 8, 2022.
  10. ↑ "2020 Primary Election" (PDF). elections.cdnc.sos.ca.gov.
  11. ↑ "Calif. Schools To Teach Students About 'Significance' Of Obama Presidency". August 26, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Bill tackles odd crime of grease thievery from restaurants". SFGate.
  13. ↑ "New Assemblyman Chris Holden Introduces First Bill". December 4, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Holden's Wildfire Legislation Signed into Law".
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