Chris Holden

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]

Chris Holden
Majority Leader of the California Assembly
In office December 1, 2014 (2014-12-01) – March 10, 2016 (2016-03-10)
Preceded by	V. Manuel Perez
Succeeded by	Ian 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 by	Julia Brownley (redistricted)
Succeeded by	John Harabedian
53rd Mayor of Pasadena
In office May 1997 (1997-05) – May 1999 (1999-05)
Preceded by	Bill Paparian
Succeeded by	Bill Bogaard
Personal details
Born	(1960-07-19) July 19, 1960 (age 65) Pasadena, California, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Melanie Holden
Children	5
Parent	Nate Holden (father)
Residence(s)	Pasadena, California, U.S.
Alma mater	San Diego State University
Profession	Small businessman

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 Pasadena City 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	%
	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^[6]

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^[6]

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^[6]

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^[7][6]

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^[6]

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.^[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]