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David Broderick at 192

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today marks the 192nd anniversary of the birth of  David C. Broderick (born February 4, 1820 in Washington, DC). Broderick, a member of the Whig Party, was elected to the California State Senate a month at age 29 birthday and was became a U.S. Senator at 36. He served almost three years before being killed in a duel with Supreme Court Justice David Terry in September 1859. The duel, easily the most notorious in state history, played a significant part in the establishment of California’s “Wild West” reputation.

Saturday also marks the 146th anniversary of the death of Assemblyman Daniel Showalter, a participant in California’s second most famous duel. This fight, held in 1861, pitted two Democratic legislators against eachother at the home of Assembly Speaker Charles Fairfax. Showalter (died February 4, 1866) fled to Mexico after the fall of the Confederacy and was later fatally injured in a bar fight in Mazatlan.

Finally, it’s also State Senator Tim Leslie‘s 70th birthday. According to our research, Leslie has never fought in a duel.

Filed Under: Congress, Deaths, JoinCalifornia, State Senate

Senator Ruben Ayala died

January 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ruben S. Ayala

Former State Senator Ruben Ayala died Wednesday night in Ontario. A report in the Sacramento Bee noted that Ayala had fought a long illness. Ayala, who served in the Senate from 1974-1998, was the long-time Chair of the Agriculture and Water Committee, a powerful position that he used to draft a bill authorizing the construction of a peripheral canal through the Sacramento Delta.

Senior staffers at the Capitol noted that Ayala (who served in World War II) had been active in the Legislative Marine Brigade, a group of former Marines who had served in the legislature. Other members of the group included Pete Wilson, Bill Craven, and Don Rogers.

LINK: Sacramento Bee CapitolAlert obituary

Filed Under: Current Research, Deaths, State Senate

Oropeza Academy opens

December 8, 2011 By

Today marks the opening of the Jenny Oropeza Global Studies Academy in Long Beach. The Academy, located at Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School, is named for State Senator Oropeza, who died in office shortly before the 2010 General Election. The official ribbon-cutting will take place at 3:30 pm today.

Filed Under: Current Research, Deaths, State Senate

Congressman Carlos J. Moorhead died

November 30, 2011 By

Carlos J. Moorhead

Carlos J. Moorhead, who served in the State Assembly (1967-1972) and Congress (1973-1997) died last week. Born in California, Moorhead served in the Army in World War II before returning to California  to earn a law degree from the University of Southern California. He later served as President of the Glendale Bar Association and on the House Judiciary Committee while in Congress.

LINK: Los Angeles Times obituary

Filed Under: Congress, Current Research, Deaths

State Senator John Stull died

November 29, 2011 By

Senator John Stull

We learned today of the passing, on June 8th, of former State Senator John Stull, who served in the legislature between 1967 and 1978. Stull served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea, retiring as a Commander.

From his obituary: “After retiring from the Senate, John & Babbie moved to the Ozarks in 1979. Retirement created a new chapter in John’s life, as he and Babbie wrote articles for various magazines, traveled, and restored the historic Steele Mansion. Not long after settling in Hartville, the newly elected president, Ronald Reagan, asked John to serve in his administration in Washington, D.C. John declined; content to remain in Missouri at his home, which he christened as “Senator’s Rest”.”

Source: Holman-Howe Funeral Home in Hartville, Missouri

Filed Under: Current Research, Deaths, State Senate

Those we lost in 2011.

November 27, 2011 By

California lost a some notable state officials and candidates in 2011. Among those who died in 2011 were legislators, judges, mentors, and one who was trusted for more than four decades with keeping the candle of democracy lit if the world burned. As we near the end of the year, we wanted to take a moment to recognize their lives and contributions.

JANUARY
Donald D. Doyle – Assemblyman (1953-1958)
Wayne Grisham – Congressman (1979-1983), Assemblyman (1984-1988)

FEBRUARY
Steve Horn – Congressman (1993-2003)

MARCH
Robert L. Vickers – Disaster Acting Governor #3 (1969-2011)
Howard J. Thelin – Assemblyman (1956-1966)
Doug McNea – Candidate for Congress and Assembly

APRIL
Bob Epple – Assemblyman (1988-1994)

MAY
Frank S. Petersen – State Senator (1962-1966)

JUNE
Matt Fong – State Treasurer (1995-1998)
John Stull – Assemblyman (1967-1973), State Senator (1973-1978)

AUGUST
Floyd G. Sampson – Candidate for Congress
Gib Marguth – Assemblyman (1980-1982)
Dick Floyd – Assemblyman (1980-1992, 1996-2000)
Charles Gubser – Assemblyman (1951-1952), Congressman (1953-1975)

OCTOBER
Matthew G. Martinez – Assemblyman (1980-1982), Congressman (1982-2001)
Tim Hodson – Director of the Center for California Studies (1993-2011)

NOVEMBER
Teresa P. Hughes – Assemblywoman (1975-1992), State Senator (1992-2000)
Carlos J. Moorhead – Assemblyman (1967-1972), Congressman (1973-1996)

DECEMBER
*

Filed Under: Congress, Constitutional Officers, Deaths, JoinCalifornia, State Assembly, State Senate, Top Stories

Anniversary of Jonestown

November 17, 2011 By

Leo J. Ryan

Friday marks the thirty-third anniversary of the Jonestown Massacre, the cult mass-suicide that killed 918 people in and around the Jonestown compound in Guyana. The dead also included a congressional delegation (led by Congressman Leo Ryan) that was seeking information about alleged abuses by the leadership of the community.

It’s unfortunate that today, Congressman Ryan is remembered primarily for his murder in Jonestown. During his years in the Assembly (1959-1972), Ryan played a significant role in the operation of the legislature. In 1966, Ryan was led the opposition to Proposition 1A, which created California’s full-time legislature.

California State Assembly seal

A year later, Ryan authored the resolution (HR 410 of 1967) that established the design of the seal of the California State Assembly (which is still used today).

During the same period, Ryan also wrote a book about the legislature titled Understanding California Government and Politics. In it, Ryan describes the many interests that compete for the attention of a legislator, and offers some excellent advice to constituents who are thinking about contacting their legislators;

“You have a state legislator within easy reach of you. He does have an office. If you need information, call him. If you would like to have him speak to your class, invite him. When they have the time, most legislators will be interested in meeting you. You will find them sympathetic to your interests and far from unapproachable.”

Filed Under: Congress, Current Research, Deaths, State Assembly

The Ghost of Assemblyman Chalmers

November 12, 2011 By

Assemblyman Robert Chalmers

Sorry we missed Halloween with this one…

As research continues into the biographies of California’s legislators, occasionally a story emerges that we just have to share with you. Today: The story of Assemblyman Chalmers.

Robert Chalmers was born in Scotland and came to America as a young man. After his arrival in California, he was a successful miner and businessman (later operating a vineyard  in El Dorado County). In addition to being the father of at least nine children, Chalmers was a prominent citizen in his area (Elected Treasurer of El Dorado County in 1867 and to the Assembly in 1871). In 1879, Chalmers “went mad” (some websites indicate that his madness was the result of syphilis) and, to protect herself, his wife chained him to a brick wall in the basement of their home. Two years later, Chalmers died of starvation (still chained to the wall).

The Chalmers home, now known as the Vineyard House (in the town of Coloma) is reportedly still haunted by the ghost of Assemblyman Chalmers. The haunting was made a bit more famous when the location was featured on a 1979 episode of the show “In Search Of…” (hosted by Leonard Nimoy). In the episode, titled “Ghostly Stakeout“, a medium attempted to communicate with Chalmers and his wife.

 

Senator Voorheis
I’m only familiar with one other instance of a legislator remaining to haunt the living (other than the obvious lobbyist jokes) is State Senator Edward Converse Voorheis, who is claimed to haunt the Sutter Creek Inn (in the town of Sutter Creek). Senator Voorheis lived in the building for several years, but it’s unclear if he would have as convincing a reason as Assemblyman Chalmers to hang out. If you know of any other “legislative ghost stories”, please let us know by commenting below.

Filed Under: Current Research, Deaths, State Assembly

Dr. Timothy Alan Hodson (1950-2011)

October 25, 2011 By

“If your parents don’t vote, tell them that they’re idiots.” - Tim Hodson's instructions to high school students at an event in October 2008.

The Director of the Center for California Studies, Tim Hodson, died this morning in Sacramento. In addition to his service at the Center, Hodson been a member of California’s Fair Political Practices Commission and a long-time State Senate staffer.

A year and a half ago, Hodson asked me to run a list of the legislators who had served during the years that he worked in the Senate and at the Center. The updated total (through today) was 551 legislators including;

  • 90% of the women who have ever served in the legislature.
  • 85% of the members who have served since the legislature became full-time in 1967.

Hodson was a mentor to many in the Capitol community, including the Editor of this website. His advice and insight will be missed.

Filed Under: Deaths, Top Stories

Congressman Matthew G. Martinez died

October 19, 2011 By

Former Congressman Matthew Martinez, who represented AD-59 for the 1981-1982 session and was a member of Congress from 1982 to 2000, died October 15th at his home in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

LA Times Article: “Former Rep. Matthew G. ‘Marty’ Martinez dies at 82“

Filed Under: Congress, Current Research, Deaths, State Assembly
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