Nate Holden, Trailblazing L.A. Politician and Crenshaw Rebuilder, Dies

Nate Holden, a longtime Los Angeles political figure who played a central role in rebuilding the Crenshaw area after the 1992 Los Angeles riots and helped shape public policy in California for more than three decades, died Wednesday. He was 95.

Holden is survived by his sons Reginald Holden and Chris Holden, a former Pasadena Mayor, Councilmember and State Assemblymember.

Holden’s public service career spanned more than 30 years, including roles as a California State Senator, Los Angeles City Councilmember, and assistant chief deputy to a Los Angeles County Supervisor. From 1987 to 2003, he represented Los Angeles’ 10th District on the City Council, where he chaired key committees including Transportation, Air Quality and Waste Management, and Inter-Government Relations.

According to his website, during his time on the City Council, Holden introduced a gun buyback program in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department and sponsored legislation requiring toy guns to be brightly colored to avoid confusion with real firearms. His leadership was pivotal in the post-riot revitalization of South Los Angeles, particularly in the Crenshaw corridor, where he championed economic redevelopment and community rebuilding.

Before his tenure at City Hall, Holden served in the California State Senate from 1974 to 1978, representing the 30th District. There, he co-authored more than 70 bills that became law, and chaired several influential committees, including the Select Committee on Rapid Transit and the Elections and Reapportionment Committee. Among his legislative accomplishments was the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a California state holiday.

A champion of consumer rights, civil rights, public safety, and education, Holden sponsored measures addressing redlining in mortgage lending, expanding services for seniors, increasing inner-city school funding, and securing property tax relief. He also advocated for mandatory jail sentences for crimes against seniors and supported California’s “Use a Gun, Go to Jail” law.

Holden’s international outreach reflected his dedication to global cooperation. He represented Los Angeles on trade missions to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Israel, and consulted with Canadian officials on modernizing transit systems. In 1988, he provided support to Jamaica following Hurricane Gilbert. He also participated in the London Marathon as part of a Los Angeles Marathon goodwill delegation and attended the 25th anniversary celebration of Los Angeles’ sister-city partnership with Berlin.

A United States Army veteran, Holden served in the Military Police Corps during World War II in Germany and Italy. Before entering politics, he worked as an aerospace design engineer on projects including the Surveyor lunar lander. He earned degrees in applied physics and systems engineering, and held honorary doctorates from Southwestern University School of Law and Pacific State University.

Holden’s legacy was commemorated in 2003 with the naming of the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. After retiring from public office, he continued to serve as a government affairs consultant.

He was born in Macon, Georgia, and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.