Assemblymember Chris Holden Launches Campaign for County Board of Supervisors, Challenges Barger

Democratic Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) announced on Thursday he is entering the race for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors 5th District. 

“Throughout my public service, I’ve worked to ensure people feel like their government is responding to their needs. I’ve brought people together to pursue progressive solutions that work for Los Angeles County. I’ll continue solving our biggest challenges as your next County Supervisor,” Holden said. 

Holden is a husband, father, Pasadena resident, former small business owner, lifelong Democrat, and dedicated public servant. In 2012, he was elected to represent the San Gabriel Valley Foothill communities in the California State Assembly.  

In a statement released on Thursday, Holden touted his fight for equity and justice in the classroom, the workplace, transportation, and the criminal justice system. He’s running for County Supervisor to bring a more urgent response to Los Angeles County’s challenges.

“I’ve advanced progressive policies that have impacted Californians’ lives such as expanding educational equity, improving workplace conditions, protecting reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, and delivering millions in state funding for the Metro Gold Line, public libraries, hiking trails, and our beloved Rose Bowl and Pasadena Playhouse. The challenges we face need to be more urgently addressed. It’s time for Democratic leadership with a proven track record of getting things done for our County,” said Assemblymember Holden.

The statement said that throughout his time in the Assembly, Holden has fought for equity and justice in the classroom, the workplace, transportation, and the criminal justice system. He has authored and led the passage of legislation that:

• Allows high school students to take community college courses. The College and Career Access Pathways dual enrollment program helps close the achievement gap and reduces the time and money needed to earn a degree.
• Improves standards for wages, work schedules, and workplace conditions for Fast Food Workers.
• Requires police officers to intercede when witnessing excessive use of force by their colleagues, known as the “George Floyd Law.”
• Mandates childcare centers test their drinking water sources for lead.
• Ensures parents with special needs children are informed of their rights.
• Secures $89 million to retain vital services for individuals with disabilities, including autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and intellectual disabilities.
• Addresses discrimination in the real estate appraisal process.
• Streamlines foster youth enrollment into college educational assistance programs.
• Requires idle and abandoned oil and gas wells to test for atmospheric emissions of hydrocarbon pollutants.
• Provides millions in state funding for public libraries, hiking trails, the Pasadena Playhouse, and the Rose Bowl Stadium.

As the Assembly Appropriations committee chair, Assemblymember Holden sent forward legislation that promotes gender equity, protects our natural environment, and ensures Californians’ mental health and medical needs are met. He has worked to ensure California protects reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ equality, expanding access to prosperity for everyone, regardless of their background.

Assemblymember Holden attended Pasadena High School and received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University, where he played basketball. He lives in Pasadena with his wife, Melanie. They have five adult children.

He was elected to the Pasadena City Council at 28 years old and was the second African-American to serve as Mayor in the city’s history. Under his leadership, Pasadena created its first living wage ordinance to ensure that workers could earn decent pay for their hard work and contribute to the local economy. Holden was appointed to the Pasadena Light Rail Alignment Task Force. He was instrumental in the planning and execution of the initial stops connecting Pasadena to Downtown LA. Assemblymember Holden continued to help extend the Gold Line further, securing $290 million in state funding for six new stations and introducing a plan to have the Gold Line connect the Burbank and Ontario airports.

Los Angeles County Supervisorial District 5 includes the cities in the San Gabriel, Antelope, Crescenta, and Santa Clarita Valleys, and portions of the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. The district is currently represented by Republican Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The election will take place March 5, 2024. The 2021 redistricting process drew new boundaries for the 5th district with 46% registered Democrats, 24% Republicans, and 23% No Party Preference. President Joe Biden won the district by a 24% margin.