Richard Polanco
Encyclopedia
Richard G. Polanco is a former California State Senate Majority leader and member of the California State Assembly
. He is known for his significant efforts in increasing Latino representation in the California Legislature.
who been elected in late 1985 to the Los Angeles City Council
, Polanco served in the California State Assembly
(District 55 in the 1980s, District 45 in the 1990s) for eight years. In 1994 he was elected to the California State Senate
(District 22, Los Angeles) and served as Senate Majority Leader from 1998 until his retirement in 2002.
For most of his tenure in the Legislature, he served the Northeast Los Angeles area which includes Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Atwater Village, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Montecito Heights and Cypress, in addition to Boyle Heights and City Terrace. In the 1980s, he also represented the western areas of Pasadena, including the Northwest and Linda Vista areas. In the Senate, his areas expanded to include downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and other communities.
Polanco is best known for his work with the Latino Legislative Caucus, which he chaired from 1990 to 2002. Under his leadership, the Senator led efforts to increase the number of Democratic Latino legislators from seven to 24. Eventually, his efforts contributed to election of the first Latino Speaker of the Assembly, Cruz Bustamante
.
In 1998, he authored legislation that provided $115 million for after-school and summer school programs. He pioneered California’s citizenship education program assisting more than 500,000 Californians in becoming naturalized citizens.
Polanco authored legislation that created the California state holiday honoring the legendary labor and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez
.
In 2001 he was seen as the presumptive front-runner to succeed termed-out Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez
, but he abruptly dropped out of the race for reasons that many found rather unconvincing. He has since begun a lucrative career as a lobbyist.
Prior to elected office, he served on the staff of Los Angeles County Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman
, Assemblyman Richard Alatorre and former Governor Jerry Brown
.
, he graduated from James A. Garfield High School where he served as senior class president. He attended both the University of Redlands
and the Universidad Nacional Mexico, majoring in business administration.
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
. He is known for his significant efforts in increasing Latino representation in the California Legislature.
Background
First elected in 1986 to fill the unexpired term of Richard AlatorreRichard Alatorre
Richard Alatorre is an American politician from California. He served as a prominent member of the California State Assembly from 1973 to 1985, and as a noted member of the Los Angeles City Council from 1985 to 1999.-Background:...
who been elected in late 1985 to the Los Angeles City Council
Los Angeles City Council
The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles.The Council is composed of fifteen members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro tempore are chosen by the Council at the first regular meeting after...
, Polanco served in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
(District 55 in the 1980s, District 45 in the 1990s) for eight years. In 1994 he was elected to the California State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
(District 22, Los Angeles) and served as Senate Majority Leader from 1998 until his retirement in 2002.
For most of his tenure in the Legislature, he served the Northeast Los Angeles area which includes Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, Glassell Park, Atwater Village, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Montecito Heights and Cypress, in addition to Boyle Heights and City Terrace. In the 1980s, he also represented the western areas of Pasadena, including the Northwest and Linda Vista areas. In the Senate, his areas expanded to include downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and other communities.
Polanco is best known for his work with the Latino Legislative Caucus, which he chaired from 1990 to 2002. Under his leadership, the Senator led efforts to increase the number of Democratic Latino legislators from seven to 24. Eventually, his efforts contributed to election of the first Latino Speaker of the Assembly, Cruz Bustamante
Cruz Bustamante
Cruz Miguel Bustamante is an American politician. He was the 45th Lieutenant Governor of California, a former Speaker of the State Assembly and a member of the Democratic Party...
.
In 1998, he authored legislation that provided $115 million for after-school and summer school programs. He pioneered California’s citizenship education program assisting more than 500,000 Californians in becoming naturalized citizens.
Polanco authored legislation that created the California state holiday honoring the legendary labor and civil rights leader, Cesar Chavez
César Chávez
César Estrada Chávez was an American farm worker, labor leader, and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers ....
.
In 2001 he was seen as the presumptive front-runner to succeed termed-out Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Hernandez
Mike Hernández
Mike Hernandez was a Los Angeles, California City Councilman. In 1997 Hernandez was arrested and pleaded guilty to purchasing and possessing cocaine. Because he struck a plea agreement whereby he agreed to seek treatment, the arrest was not in his record, and he was not required to resign his seat...
, but he abruptly dropped out of the race for reasons that many found rather unconvincing. He has since begun a lucrative career as a lobbyist.
Prior to elected office, he served on the staff of Los Angeles County Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman
Edmund D. Edelman
Edmund D. Edelman was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 1965 to 1974 and of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors from 1975 to 1994...
, Assemblyman Richard Alatorre and former Governor Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
.
Early life
A native of East Los Angeles, CaliforniaEast Los Angeles, California
East Los Angeles is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
, he graduated from James A. Garfield High School where he served as senior class president. He attended both the University of Redlands
University of Redlands
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts and sciences university located in Redlands, California. The university's campus sits on near downtown Redlands. The university was founded in 1907 and was associated with the American Baptist Church. The land for the university was donated by...
and the Universidad Nacional Mexico, majoring in business administration.