Past Members
Past Members
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The Honorable Frederick M. RobertsAssembly Member Roberts, a Republican from Los Angeles, was the first African American State legislator. He served from 1918 to 1933, authoring early California civil rights legislation. |
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The Honorable Augustus HawkinsAssembly Member Hawkins, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1934 to 1960, succeeding Frederick M. Roberts. He served on the important Rules Committee of the Assembly during part of his over twenty years in the Legislature. His agenda continually focused on education, labor and employment issues. |
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The Honorable W. Byron RumfordAssembly Member Rumford, a Democrat from Berkeley, served from 1948 to 1966. He earned a master's degree in public administration and applied his knowledge diligently, particularly in the areas of housing, health, and narcotics legislation, and authored the Rumford Fair Housing Act. Just after World War II, he was asked by the U.S. State Department to visit Germany as a citizen ambassador. |
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The Honorable Mervyn M. DymallyAssembly Member Dymally, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served in the Assembly from 1962 to 1966 when he was elected to the California Senate. He was the first African American Senator in California and performed in that position until 1974. He then went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor, the first African American to be elected to an elected State Executive Office. |
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The Honorable F. Douglas FerrellAssembly Member Ferrell, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1963 to 1966. A doctor of divinity, his political philosophy states: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men would do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." His vocation as a pastor and legislator focused on youth and missionary causes. |
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The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr.Assembly Member Willie L. Brown, Jr., a Democrat from San Francisco, served from 1964 to 1996. A prominent attorney, he became the first African American elected Speaker of the House in 1980, a position he held for 16 years. He was the first and only person to be appointed Speaker Emeritus and is a past chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. |
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The Honorable Yvonne Brathwaite BurkeAssembly Member Brathwaite Burke, a Democrat from the southwest part of Los Angeles, served from 1966 to 1972. A noted civil rights attorney, her many accomplishments include a master of laws degree. She was the first African American woman to hold office in the California Legislature. |
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The Honorable Bill GreeneAssembly Member Greene, a Democrat from South Central Los Angeles, served from 1966 to 1975, succeeding Mervyn Dymally, for whom he had been working at the time. In 1975, he moved to a State Senate seat until 1992. Before elected to office, he was the first African American to serve as a Clerk of the Assembly. With roots in union advocacy, he made major contributions through service to the fields of education, child care, employment, and civil rights. |
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The Honorable John J. MillerAssembly Member Miller, a Democrat from Berkeley, served from 1966 to 1975. A successful attorney, he earned an L.L.B. and advanced to candidacy for a master of laws degree. As successor to Byron Rumford, he fought to retain the Rumford Fair Housing Act. In 1970, he was named the Assembly Democratic Leader. |
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The Honorable Leon RalphAssembly Member Ralph, a Democrat from South Central Los Angeles served in the Assembly from 1966 to 1975. Active in California Democratic leadership and a force during his tenure in the Assembly, he chaired the powerful Rules Committee during the restoration of the Historic State Capitol. |
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The Honorable Wilson RilesWilson Riles is the only African American elected as the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of California, serving a total of 12 years from 1971 - 1983. In addition to a masters degree, he holds nine honorary doctorates. He held numerous executive positions in the field of education and management, including service as an ex-officio Regent of the University of Californiaand a Trustee of the California State Universities and Colleges, and has been an advisor to four Presidents of the United States on national educational issues. |
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The Honorable Frank HolomanAssembly Member Holoman, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1972 to 1974. His interests in urban improvement and local government have led him to pursue these causes in the Legislature as well as through his position as chair of the Black Caucus of Southern California. |
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The Honorable Julian DixonAssembly Member Dixon, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1972 to 1978. He holds a juris doctorate degree. He served as chair of both the Southern California Legislative Black Caucus and the California Congress of Black Elected Officials. He has many accomplishments in the area of juvenile justice and penal system reform as well as the fight for equal access for women and minorities in business and professional services. |
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The Honorable Nate HoldenSenator Holden, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1974 to 1978. He earned a master of science degree in engineering. He served as President of the California Democratic Council and was described by the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee as "the finest example of a man whose total commitment is in improving life conditions for all people." |
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The Honorable Curtis R. Tucker, Sr.Assembly Member Tucker, a Democrat from Inglewood, served from 1974 to 1988. A former soldier in the Army, he taught atWest Point Academy. He and his son, Curtis R. Tucker, Jr. were the first father and son to both win election to the California Legislature, though the two did not serve at the same time. |
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The Honorable Teresa P. HughesAssembly Member Hughes, a Democrat from South Central Los Angeles, served from 1975 to 1992, succeeding Bill Greene. She was elected to the State Senate in 1992 and is a past chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. She holds a Ph.D. in education administration. A long-time educator, Hughes has sponsored legislation to broaden learning through museums, bring peace to schools, and provide equal opportunity for homeowner loans. |
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The Honorable Maxine WatersAssembly Member Waters, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1976 to 1990. She holds two honorary doctoral degrees. During her distinguished tenure, she served as chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and was a member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. |
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The Honorable Gwen MooreAssembly Member Moore, a Democrat from the Crenshaw District in Los Angeles, served from 1978 to 1994. She earned a master's degree in public administration as well as a teaching credential. Known in the Legislature as an authority on utilities and telecommunications issues, she authored legislation which opened the utility rate-setting process to more public scrutiny. She served as a Democratic Whip and is a past Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. |
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The Honorable Elihu M. HarrisAssembly Member Harris, a Democrat from Oakland, served from 1978 to 1990. He holds a master's degree in public administration as well as a juris doctorate. He is a past executive director of the National Bar Association and chaired the powerful Assembly Judiciary Committee. |
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The Honorable Diane E. WatsonSenator Watson, a Democrat from South Central Los Angeles, began serving in 1978. She was the second woman and the first African American woman to serve in the State Senate. She earned a Ph. D. in education administration. She has been a paragon of leadership as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. She also served as chair of the Legislative Black Caucus and was the founder of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislators/Women (NOBEL/Women). |
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The Honorable Willard H. Murray, Jr.Assembly Member Murray, a Democrat from Compton, served from 1988 to 1996. He dedicated more than 25 years to government service, working with Congressman Dymally, the Los Angeles City Council, and the Los Angeles Mayor's office. He and his son Kevin Murray were the first father and son to serve in the Assembly during the same term. He is a past chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. |
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The Honorable Curtis R. Tucker, Jr.Assembly Member Tucker, a Democrat from Inglewood, served from 1989 to 1996. His primary concerns were education, health care, and fighting crime. He and his father, Curtis R. Tucker, Sr. were the first father and son both to be elected to the California Legislature, though they did not serve at the same time. |
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The Honorable Marguerite Archie-HudsonAssembly Member Archie-Hudson, a Democrat from Los Angeles, served from 1990 to 1996. She earned a Ph. D. in education administration. Having focused her prior career on education, she served on the Los Angeles Community College Board and was director of the Educational Opportunity Program for the California State University System. She served as Chief of Staff for Speaker Willie Brown and for Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite-Burke. |
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The Honorable Barbara LeeAssembly Member Lee, a Democrat from Oakland, served from 1990 to 1996. In 1996, she was elected to the State Senate. She holds a master's degree in social welfare and served as a senior advisor to Congressman Ron Dellums. She has held many board memberships which have put her at the forefront of issues concerning African American economic and social status as well as the safety of women and children. |
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The Honorable Juanita McDonaldAssembly Member McDonald, a Democrat from the Carson-Compton area, served from 1992 to 1996. She earned a master's degree in education. With a previous career in education and local government, she focused on these areas as well as housing and community development and transportation issues. |
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The Honorable Kevin MurrayAssembly Member Murray, a Democrat from Los Angeles, began his service in the Legislature in 1994. An entertainment attorney, he also earned a masters of business administration degree. In his first term of office, he was elected Assistant Democratic Floor Leader and in his second term, chair of the Legislative Black Caucus. |
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The Honorable Edward VincentAssembly Member Vincent, a Democrat from Inglewood, began his service in the Legislature in 1996. The military veteran earned a degree in corrections and social welfare. Formerly the Mayor of Inglewood, California, where he was the first African American to hold that position, Vincent enjoyed a long career in public safety and held numerous board memberships. |
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The Honorable Carl WashingtonAssembly Member Carl Washington, a Democrat from Compton, began his service in the Legislature in 1996. Called to the ministry in 1983, he has been active in devising alternatives to gangs in Los Angeles as well as educating others in public safety professions. Prior to his legislative service, he served on the staff of Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke. |
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The Honorable Roderick WrightSenator Roderick Wright, a Democrat from South Central Los Angeles, served in the Assembly from 1996 to 2002. He was elected to the State Senate in 2008. Involved in politics for many years, he served as district administrator for Congresswoman Maxine Waters and became a driving force within the African American Caucus of the California Democratic Party. |
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The Honorable Herb WessonAssemblyman Herb J. Wesson, Jr., a Democrat from Los Angeles, began his service in the Legislature in 1998, succeeding Kevin Murray. He was elected Speaker of the Assembly in 2002 and is the second African American to hold this powerful position. Prior to his election, he served as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. |
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The Honorable Jerome E. HortonAssemblyman Jerome E. Horton, a Democrat from the City of Inglewood, began his service in the Legislature in 2001. He holds a degree in Accounting from California State University at Dominguez Hills. During his first session he was appointed as a member of the powerful Rules Committee. He currently serves on the California Board of Equalization. |
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The Honorable Mervyn DymallyMervyn Dymally served in the State Assembly from 1962 to 1966. Following an extraordinary career in government service as a State Senator (1966), Lieutenant Governor (1974), Member of Congress (1980), and Honorary Consul, Republic of Benin, West Africa, he was re-elected to the Assembly in 2002, forty years after first serving in that body. |
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The Honorable Speaker Emeritus Karen BassSpeaker Emeritus Karen Bass was the first African American woman to be elected as Speaker of the Assembly. She was the 67th Speaker. During her tenure in the Assembly, she was an advocate for foster care carrying several bills to support programs and funding to ensure foster youth have better chances for success. She was a champion of job creation and healthcare. She served in the Assembly from 2005-2010, representing the 47th District. She was elected to serve in the 112th Congress representing the 33rd District in November, 2010. |
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The Honorable Mark Ridley-ThomasMark Ridley-Thomas is a graduate of Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles and earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Immaculate Heart College. He went on to receive his doctorate from the University of Southern California. Mark Ridley-Thomas was first elected to public office in 1991 to the Los Angeles City Council and served there for nearly a dozen years. In 2002, Mr. Ridley-Thomas was elected to serve in the California State Assembly, where he chaired the Assembly Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy Committee. He then ran successfully and was elected to serve in the California State Senate in 2006. While in the Senate, he chaired the Business, Professions and Economic Development. In January 2008, he became Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. He served in the Senate from 2006 – 2008, and was subsequently elected to serve as LA County Supervisor, 2nd District. |