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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 | |
|---|---|
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| Majority Leader of the California 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 | |
| In office December 3, 2012 – November 30, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Julia Brownley (redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | John Harabedian |
| 53rd Mayor of Pasadena | |
| In office May 1997 – May 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Paparian |
| Succeeded by | Bill Bogaard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 19, 1960 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Melanie Holden |
| Children | 5 |
| Parent |
|
| 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.
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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]
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| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
| 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 | ||||
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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]
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