Rich Gordon
Rich Gordon | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the California State Assembly from the 21st district | |
| Assuming office December 1, 2010 | |
| Succeeding | Ira Ruskin |
| Member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors | |
| In office April 1997 – November 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ted Lempert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | San Mateo County, Calif. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dr. Dennis McShane |
| Residence | Menlo Park, Calif. |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Website | richgordon2010.com |
Richard S. Gordon is an American politician from Menlo Park, California who currently serves on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. On November 2, 2010, he was elected to the California State Assembly, succeeding the term-limited Ira Ruskin in the 21st district. A Democrat, he will take office on December 1.
Early life and career
Gordon, a fourth generation Californian, was born and raised in San Mateo County before his family moved to Orange County whilst he was in his teens. He then attended the University of Southern California, working at Disneyland to fund his studies. He graduated from USC in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.[1][2]
On leaving USC, Gordon became a minister in the United Methodist Church, receiving a Masters of Divinity from Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in 1973. He returned to San Mateo County in 1976, working for the YMCA in Redwood City. He later worked for Youth and Family Assistance.
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 to take the seat and was re-elected in 1996.[3]
When Ted Lempert was elected to the Assembly in 1996, a vacancy opened up on Board of Supervisors and Gordon ran for the seat. In the special election held on April 8, 1997, Gordon took 41% of the vote in a seven-candidate field and was elected.[4] He was re-elected in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
State Assembly candidacy, 2010
When Assemblyman Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City) was termed out of the California State Assembly in 2010, Gordon declared his candidacy for the seat. He was one of three Democrats to file for the seat and, in the primary election held on June 8, 2010, he took 39% of the vote. His nearest challenger was almost 2,000 votes behind on 31.5%.[5] He faced Republican and Libertarian opponents in the general election but prevailed handily.
Personal
Gordon is openly gay; his partner of 26 years is Dr. Dennis McShane. The couple were married on August 16, 2008 during the brief window of legal same-sex marriages in California that ended with the passage of Proposition 8 in November 2008.[1]
References
- ^ a b "San Mateo County Supervisor Richard Gordon: Biography".
- ^ "Rich Gordon for Assembly: About Rich Gordon".
- ^ "Board victor views tasks in education, he's not making issue of being gay". San Jose Mercury News. November 25, 1992.
- ^ "Voters elect Gordon Supervisor: San Mateo Board keeps 3-2 Democrat majority". San Jose Mercury News. April 9, 1997.
- ^ "Gordon wins primary". San Mateo Daily Journal. June 9, 2010.