John Laird (politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other persons named John Laird, see John Laird (disambiguation).

John Laird is a Californian politician representing the 27th district of the California State Assembly, and a member of the Democratic Party. This vast district stretches from Santa Cruz County down through the Monterey Bay and down the coast to the San Luis Obispo county line. The district is home to UC Santa Cruz, Calstate Monterey, and Cabrillo College. The district also has 30 park units including Big Sur, Henry Cowell Redwoods, Big Basin, and Natural Bridges State Park.

John Laird is the chair of both the Assembly Budget Committee as well as the Special Session Committee on Budget Process. He also serves on the Judiciary Committee, the Labor and Employment Committee, and the Natural Resources Committee.

Before being elected to the assembly in 2002, John Laird had served as a member of the Santa Cruz City Council. He was re-elected to the assembly in 2004 and 2006, and will be termed out in 2008. He was elected mayor of Santa Cruz in 1983 and again in 1987, becoming one of the first openly gay mayors in the United States. His election campaigns have often won the backing of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Preceded by enter name here

Mayor of Santa Cruz 1983–1985

Succeeded by enter name here