Ronald Calderon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ronald Steven Calderon (born August 12, 1957, in Montebello, California) is a DemocraticCalifornia State Senator from the 30th Senate District. He was elected to the Senate in 2006.[2]

Early life, education, and business career[edit]

Calderon attended Montebello High School, graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He then graduated from the Western State University of Law.

Calderon served as a manager in the manufacturing industry, a mortgage banker, and a real estate agent.[1][3]

Senator Ronald Calderon is the second of his family to serve in the senate and the third to hold a seat in the legislature. Prior to Ronald's election his brothers Charles and Thomas also served the state assembly.

California Assembly[edit]

Elections[edit]

After redistricting, Tom Calderon decided to run for California Insurance Commissioner in 2002. His brother, Ron, decided to run for the seat and won the Democratic primary with 46% of the vote.[4] He won the general election with 63% of the vote.[5] In 2004, he won re-election with 62% of the vote.[6] In 2006, he retired to run for the California Senate. His brother, Charles, succeeded him.

Committee assignments[edit]

He served as Chairman of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. He was also elected Assistant Majority Leader.

California Senate[edit]

Calderon was elected to the 30th Senate District, which includes: Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, La Mirada, Los Angeles, Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, California, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate, Whittier, East La Mirada, East Los Angeles, Florence-Graham, Hacienda Heights, South Whittier, and West Whittier.[7][8]

Elections[edit]

In 2006, incumbent Democrat State Senator Martha Escutia decided to retire. In the Democratic primary, Calderon defeated fellow State Representative Rudy Bermúdez 50.4%-49.7%, a difference of just 305 votes.[9] He won the general election with 71% of the vote.[10] In 2010, he won re-election with 69% of the vote.[11]

Committee assignments[edit]

Calderon is chairman of the Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee. Senate President Don Perata selected Calderon to lead senate efforts to reform term-limits and redistricting laws, as well as moving the state’s presidential primary from June to February.[citation needed] Calderon also chairs the Select Committee on International Business Trade, in addition to sitting on the Appropriations and Energy, Utilities and Communications committees. Calderon also sits on the California Film Commission, which is tasked with promoting and subsidizing the California film industry.[1]

2012 congressional election[edit]

In August 2011, Calderon announced he would be running for congress in the newly redrawn California's 38th congressional district. He currently represents around 70% of the new CD in the State Senate for the past four years. He will face U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sánchez in the Democratic primary.[12]

Legal Troubles[edit]

On June 4, 2013, the Federal Bureau of Investigations raided Calderon's offices in the California State Capitol in an attempt to find evidence regarding accusations of criminal activity.[13] On the same day, the FBI also raided the office of California's Latino Legislative Caucus of which Calderon is vice chair.

Personal life[edit]

Calderon lives in Montebello with his wife Ana of 30 years and their two children, Jessica and Zachary.

External links[edit]