Rich Gordon

Rich Gordon

Richard S. "Rich" Gordon (born July 3, 1948 in San Mateo County , California ) is an American Democratic politician from Menlo Park , California. He was elected a member of the California State Assembly for the 24th District . Previously, he was a representative in the 21st District and president of the California State Association of Counties and served on the Board of Supervisors for San Mateo County. He was known to be gay throughout his political career. In 1992 he became San Mateo County's first gay candidate.

Early life and career

Rep. Gordon is a fourth generation Californian born and raised in San Mateo County. He graduated from Orange County high school and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University . His service to poor children in Chicago developed in him a strong sense of social justice. He married his then girlfriend Terri Tedford in 1974 and moved back to California.

Gordon found a job with the YMCA in Fullerton as a youth and family counselor. Two years later he moved to Redwood City . He led a federally funded project aimed at youths arrested by the police and advising them immediately. The aim was to save young men and women from prison. Under Gordon's eyes, the intervention efforts made such a difference that the federal government decided to write a second program - a sanctuary for runaway children called Your House. Gordon started his own nonprofit, Youth and Family Aid, in partnership with the San Mateo District. Over time, it grew from 4 employees and a budget of $ 100,000 to 60 employees and a budget of $ 5 million. In the early 1980s, Gordon ran a teenage health clinic and centers that counseled families ravaged by drugs, alcohol, and domestic violence. With the help of chain designer Johnny Rockets and See's Candies CEO , Gordon opened MiMe's Cafe in Redwood City, a joint venture of the Youth and Family Assistance and Opportunities Industrialization Center West.

Political career

Gordon first ran for public office in 1992, seeking a seat on the San Mateo County Board of Education. He defeated an incumbent who took the seat and was re-elected in 1996.

When Rep. Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) resigned from the California State Assembly in 2010 , Gordon declared his candidacy for the seat. He was one of three Democrats who ran for the seat, reaching the June 8, 2010 primary he 39% of the vote. His next challenger was nearly 2,000 votes behind him to 31.5%. He got 60% of the vote in the general election and beat Republican and Libertarian opponents who got 35% and 5% respectively.

Upon assuming office, Gordon served as chairman of the convention's Business & Professions Committee. In June 2012, the Speaker appointed Gordon to chair the Rules Committee. Gordon serves on the following committees: Budget, Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transport, Elections and Redistricts, Local Government and Data Protection, and Consumer Protection. He also chairs the Special Committee on Water Use and Alternative Sources and the Special Committee on Waste Prevention and Recycling for the 21st Century in California.

In his first term, Gordon was one of the most prolific legislators; 26 of its 35 laws were enacted by the governor. His success continued into his second term, when 24 of his 39 initiatives were signed by the governor. In 2014 Rep. Gordon saw 17 laws signed by the governor, the highest number among lawmakers. In 2015 he wrote 9 laws that were signed by the governor.

Gordon served as Chairman of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus from January 2012 to January 2015 .

Web links

• Campaign website ( Memento from February 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive )

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Richard Gordon: Biography ( Memento of May 7, 2016 in the Internet Archive )