Roderick D. Wright is a Democratic politician who was elected to represent California's 25th State Senate district

California's 25th State Senate district

California's 25th State Senate District is one of 40 Senate Districts. It is currently represented by Democrat Rod Wright of Inglewood.-District profile:9876774The 25th District serves much of the South Los Angeles area of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area...

 in 2008. Senator Wright previously represented California's 48th State Assembly district

California's 48th State Assembly district

California's 48th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Mike Davis of Los Angeles.-District profile:...

 from 1996 until he was term limited in 2002.

Education and Pre Legislative Career

Senator Wright obtained his degree in Urban Studies and City Planning at Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is an independent, private, medium-sized university affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university's campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in unincorporated Los Angeles County, California, United States, near Malibu, is the location for Seaver College, the School of...

.

Prior to his initial entrance into elected office in 1996, Senator Wright was the District Director to Congresswoman Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters

Maxine Waters is the U.S. Representative for , and previously the 29th district, serving since 1991. She is a member of the Democratic Party....

 where he assisted citizens with federal matters such as Social Security, Medi-Care and veterans issues among others.

Legislative career

Wright was then elected to the California State Assembly in 1996 representing the 48th Assembly District covering much of south Los Angeles County. From 1998 until 2002, Wright served as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce (U&C) which held legislative jurisdiction over electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, private water corporations and other issues related to commerce. Wright has been recognized for his work in the areas of public safety, education, energy and utilities, small business, family law and consumer privacy.

Personal life

Senator Wright was raised in a working class household with a two loving parents. He excelled in Track and Field, creating city records at Washington Prep High School in Los Angeles, California. He currently still has active interest in Track and Field and host a ceremony to celebrate the State Champions of California. A former participant of the ceremony was Reggie Bush of USC and the New Orlean Saints.

Senator Wright has two daughters, only one biological, though never having been married. He is also a grandfather of two little girls.

2008 Primary

Entering the 2008 primary season, Wright had been out of politics for six years and was initially not considered a strong candidate against the front runner, Assemblyman and long time politician Mervyn Dymally. However, with his own fundraising and help from independent expenditure groups, Wright was able to overcome his lack of name recognition in the area – most of the area Wright represented 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...

 is in California's 26th Senate District.