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 theCalifornia State Assembly from the41st 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 |
|
| Residence(s) | Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | San Diego State University |
| Profession | Small businessman |
Christopher R. Holden (born July 19, 1960) is an American politician who served in theCalifornia State Assembly from 2012 to 2024. He is aDemocrat representing the41st Assembly District, which encompasses the northernSan Gabriel Valley, and is centered inPasadena.[1]
He was a member of theCalifornia Legislative Black Caucus.[2] Prior to his election to the assembly in 2012, Holden was amayor and City Councilmember inPasadena. He is the son of longtimeLos Angeles politicianNate Holden. Prior to his retirement, Holden served as chairman of the Appropriations Committee,[3] the most powerful position afterspeaker.
Before he was elected to the assembly, Holden was a member of thePasadenaCity 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 ofPasadena High School andSan Diego State University. He first ran for seat 3 of the Pasadena City Council in 1985 but lost narrowly to incumbentLoretta 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 mayorBill Bogaard.
Holden previously served as the assembly majority floor leader.
Holden is a member of theCalifornia Legislative Progressive Caucus.[5]
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| 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 | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
In his first term, Holden introduced legislation to require California schools to teach about the significance of theBarack 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]
