Rich Gordon
Richard "Rich" S. Gordon (b. July 3, 1948) is a former Democratic member of the California State Assembly, representing District 24 from 2010 to 2016. He formerly served as a supervisor on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors from 1997 to 2010. Gordon is also the former chairman of the Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce.
Gordon did not seek re-election to the California State Assembly in 2016.
Biography
Gordon earned his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Southern California in 1970 and his Master's of Divinity from Northwestern University in 1973. His professional experience includes working as executive director of Youth and Family Assistance, as a member of the San Mateo County Board of education from 1992 to 1997 and from 1995 to 1997, as vice president of that board nd as president of the California State Association of Counties in 2008.
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Gordon served on the following committees:
| California committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Budget |
| • Elections and Redistricting |
| • Local Government |
| • Privacy and Consumer Protection |
| • Rules, Chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Gordon served on the following committees:
| California committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Budget |
| • Business, Professions and Consumer Protection, Chair |
| • Local Government |
| • Revenue and Taxation |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Gordon served on these committees:
| California committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Budget |
| • Health |
| • Local Government |
| • Revenue and Taxation |
| • Sunset Review |
Campaign themes
2014
Gordon's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[1]
- Excerpt: "Continuing to increase the role and responsibility of local governments – cities, school districts, and counties, which are closer to the communities they serve. As we realign greater responsibility to local governments, we must also provide local government with the tools to successfully serve the needs of Californians."
- Excerpt: "Continuing efforts to stabilize our fiscal house, including the adoption of outcome-based budgeting and an enforceable reserve policy so that the state has a “savings account” in the form of a rainy day fund."
- Excerpt: "Provide greater transparency in elections, and in particular greater disclosure of who is funding advertisements, mailers, and other political messaging."
- Excerpt: "Reforming the initiative process to increase transparency, prevent its use as a tool of those seeking to end-run the public legislative process, and requiring that measures clearly identify a source of funding or the elimination of some other state expenditure."
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2016
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 25, 2016, for candidates filing with signatures. The deadline for candidates using a filing fee to qualify was March 11, 2016.[2] Incumbent Rich Gordon (D) did not seek re-election.
Marc Berman defeated Vicki Veenker in the California State Assembly District 24 general election.[3][4]
| California State Assembly, District 24 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Marc Berman |
54.43% | 92,419 | |
| Democratic | Vicki Veenker | 45.57% | 77,362 | |
| Total Votes | 169,781 | |||
| Source: California Secretary of State | ||||
The following candidates ran in the California State Assembly District 24 Blanket primary.[5][6]
| California State Assembly, District 24 Blanket Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Marc Berman |
28.15% | 30,649 | |
| Democratic | Vicki Veenker |
22.23% | 24,201 | |
| Republican | Peter Ohtaki | 19.77% | 21,525 | |
| Democratic | Barry Chang | 10.92% | 11,890 | |
| Democratic | Mike Kasperzak | 10.42% | 11,343 | |
| Libertarian | John M. Inks | 4.18% | 4,546 | |
| Independent | Jay Blas Jacob Cabrera | 2.39% | 2,603 | |
| Democratic | Sea Reddy | 1.93% | 2,102 | |
| Total Votes | 108,859 | |||
2014
Elections for the California State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 7, 2014. Incumbent Richard S. Gordon (D) and Diane Gabl (R) defeated Greg Coladonato (D) in the blanket primary. Gordon defeated Gabl in the general election.[7][8][9]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard S. Gordon Incumbent |
70% | 77,986 | |
| Republican | Diane Gabl | 30% | 33,419 | |
| Total Votes | 111,405 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |
Rich Gordon Incumbent |
60.1% | 38,758 | |
| Republican | Diane Gabl |
27.9% | 18,021 | |
| Democratic | Greg Coladonato | 12% | 7,738 | |
| Total Votes | 64,517 | |||
2012
Gordon won re-election in the 2012 election for California State Assembly District 24. Due to redistricting following the 2010 census, he was displaced from District 21. He advanced past the blanket primary on June 5, 2012, defeating Geby Espinosa (D) and Joseph Antonelli Rosas (I). Gordon defeated Chengzhi Yang (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[10][11][12]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Richard S. Gordon Incumbent |
70.4% | 118,120 | |
| Republican | Chengzhi "George" Yang | 29.6% | 49,700 | |
| Total Votes | 167,820 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Geby Espinosa | 10.4% | 7,654 | |
| Democratic | Rich Gordon Incumbent |
57% | 42,018 | |
| Republican | Chengzhi Yang |
28.4% | 20,949 | |
| Independent | Joseph Antonelli Rosas | 4.2% | 3,129 | |
| Total Votes | 73,750 | |||
2010
Gordon defeated Josh Becker and Yoriko Kishimoto in the June 8 primary. He then defeated Republican Greg Conlon and Libertarian Ray M. Bell, Jr. in the November 2 general election.[13][14]
| California State Assembly, District 21 General Election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Rich Gordon (D)
|
89,927 | |||
| Greg Conlon (R) | 52,809 | |||
| Ray M. Bell, Jr. (L) | 6,925 | |||
| California House of Representatives, District 21 Democratic Primary (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Rich Gordon (D)
|
14,850 | |||
| Josh Becker (D) | 12,720 | |||
| Yoriko Kishimoto (D) | 10,190 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2015.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Civil Liberties Advocacy — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to civil liberties.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- California ProLife Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by CPC.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on senior issues.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on consumer issues.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on LGBT issues.
- Health Access California — Legislators are scored by Health Access California on how they voted in the session on "critical health policy legislation that impacts consumers, communities, patients and the public interest."
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues.
- Secular Coalition for California — Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2014.
- California Chamber of Commerce — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the chamber.
- California Civil Liberties Council — Legislators are scored by the California Civil Liberties Council on their votes on "bills related to due process, privacy rights, equal protection, and criminal justice."
- California Clean Money Action Fund — Legislators are scored by California Clean Money Action on their votes on bills "to limit the undue influence of Big Money in politics in California."
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills that relate to senior issues.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to consumers.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported by the organization.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on taxpayer-related issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business — Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Secular Coalition for California — Legislators are scored on their stances on secular policy.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2013.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- California Humane Society — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills and letters supported by CHS.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California ProLife Council — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by CPC.
- Capital Resource Institute — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to family issues.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to senior issues.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to consumers.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported by EQ CA.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by PP.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
Below you can find the scorecards found for the California State Legislature in 2012.
- California Clean Money Action Fund — Legislators are scored by California Clean Money Action on their votes on bills "to limit the undue influence of Big Money in politics in California."
- California Humane Society — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills and letters signed supported by CHS.
- California Labor Federation — Legislators are scored on their votes on issues related to labor.
- California League of Conservation Voters — Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.
- Clean Water Action — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to water issues.
- Congress of California Seniors — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to senior issues.
- Consumer Federation of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to consumers.
- Equality California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported by EQ CA.
- Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association — Legislators are scored on their votes on taxpayer-related issues.
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Sierra Club California — Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- The American Conservative Union — Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
In 2011, the California State Legislature was either not in session or no scorecards were found. Please contact us if you would like to suggest a scorecard.
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Gordon's endorsements included the following:[15]
- Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
- Congresswoman Jackie Speier
- Steve Westly, State Controller (Former)
- Assemblymember Nora Campos
- Assemblymember Paul Fong
- Assemblymember Kevin Mullin
- Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski
- Carole Groom, Supervisor-San Mateo County
- Don Horsley, Supervisor-San Mateo County
- Dave Pine, Supervisor-San Mateo County
- Warren Slocum, Supervisor-San Mateo County
- Adrienne Tissier, Supervisor-San Mateo County
- Robert Adler, Controller-San Mateo County
- Sandie Arnott, Treasurer-San Mateo County
- Robert Foucrault, Coroner-San Mateo County
- Greg Munks, Sheriff-San Mateo County
- Steve Wagstaff, District Attorney-San Mateo County
- Cindy Chavez, Supervisor-Santa Clara County
- Dave Cortese, Supervisor-Santa Clara County
- Joe Simitian, Supervisor-Santa Clara County
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Gordon has a husband, Dennis McShane.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Rich + Gordon + California + Legislature
See also
- California State Legislature
- California State Assembly
- California Assembly Committees
- California State Assembly District 24
External links
- Profile from the California State Assembly
- Official campaign website
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2010
- Rich Gordon on Facebook
Footnotes
- ↑ richgordon2014.com, "Policies," accessed May 9, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed April 18, 2017
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for the November 8, 2016, General Election," accessed September 7, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "2016 General Election results," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Certified List of Candidates for Voter-Nominated Offices," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Statement of Vote," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2014 Primary election candidate list," accessed March 27, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary election results," accessed July 15, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official general election results," accessed December 14, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official primary candidate list," accessed March 13, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 Primary election results," accessed March 13, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General election results," accessed March 13, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2010 Primary election results," accessed March 13, 2014
- ↑ California Secretary of State, "Official 2010 General election results," accessed March 13, 2014
- ↑ richgordon2014.com, "Endorsements," accessed May 9, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by James Beall Jr. (D) |
California State Assembly District 24 2012-2016 |
Succeeded by Marc Berman (D) |
| Preceded by Ira Ruskin (D) |
California Assembly District 21 2010-2012 |
Succeeded by Adam Gray (D) |
