John Burton (American politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Burton
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| Chair of the California Democratic Party | |
| In office April 13, 2009 – May 20, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Art Torres |
| Succeeded by | Eric C. Bauman |
| In office 1973–1974 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Manatt |
| Succeeded by | Bert Coffey |
| 47th President pro tempore of the California Senate | |
| In office February 5, 1998 – November 30, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Lockyer |
| Succeeded by | Don Perata |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 3rd district |
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| In office December 2, 1996 – December 6, 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Milton Marks |
| Succeeded by | Carole Migden |
| Member of the California State Assembly | |
| In office April 14, 1988 – December 2, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Art Agnos |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Shelley |
| Constituency | 12th district (1992–1996) 16th district (1988–1992) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office June 4, 1974 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | William S. Mailliard |
| Succeeded by | Phillip Burton |
| Constituency | 6th district (1974–1975) 5th district (1975–1983) |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 20th district |
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| In office January 4, 1965 – June 4, 1974 |
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| Preceded by | Phillip Burton |
| Succeeded by | Dixon Arnett |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Lowell Burton
December 15, 1932 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 7, 2025 (aged 92) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
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| Children | Kimiko Burton (daughter) |
| Relatives | Phillip Burton (brother) Sala Burton (sister-in-law) |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1954–1956 |
John Lowell Burton (December 15, 1932 – September 7, 2025) was an important American politician. He was known for leading the California Democratic Party. He also served in both parts of California's state government and in the U.S. national government. He represented areas around San Francisco.
John Burton grew up in San Francisco after being born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied in college and became a lawyer. He also worked as a lobbyist, which means he tried to influence lawmakers. He was a member of the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1974. He also led the California Democratic Party for a short time.
In 1974, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He worked there until 1983. During this time, he strongly supported civil rights and protecting the environment. He also worked to improve healthcare. He helped create a law that put economic pressure on South Africa. This was to protest against apartheid, a system of unfair racial separation.
Burton returned to the California State Assembly in 1988. He served until 1996, when he reached the maximum number of years he could serve. Then, he was elected to the California State Senate. He served there until 2004, when he again reached his term limit. In the Legislature, he pushed for important causes. These included making healthcare more available and protecting the environment. He also worked to advance civil rights. He was a leader in the California State Senate from 1998 to 2004.
Even after leaving the Legislature, Burton stayed active in politics. He led the California Democratic Party again from 2009 to 2017. In 2020, Mayor London Breed chose him to join the San Francisco Port Commission. He had actually helped create this commission back in 1968. He worked on the Port Commission until he retired in 2023.
John Burton was also known for his charity work. In 2005, he started the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes. This group helps improve the lives of foster children in California. Throughout his career, he received many awards. These recognized his dedication to public service and helping others.
John Burton: A Life in Public Service
Early Life and Education
John Burton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 15, 1932. He grew up in San Francisco with his brother, Phillip Burton. His parents were Mildred and Thomas Burton. He finished Abraham Lincoln High School in 1950.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science in 1954. This was from San Francisco State University. After college, he joined the United States Army. He served there from 1954 to 1956. Later, he earned a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1960.
Starting His Political Journey
John Burton became a lawyer in California in 1961. He worked as an attorney in San Francisco. He also worked as a lobbyist for a company called Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Before the Vietnam War grew larger, Burton often protested against it.
In 1964, he was elected to the California State Assembly. He took over from his brother, Phillip. He represented a district in San Francisco and served until 1974. He also led the California Democratic Party from 1973 to 1974.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
After the 1970 U.S. census, John and his brother Phillip helped draw new district maps. These maps decided which areas each representative would serve. Burton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. This happened in a special election after another representative left.
As a congressman, Burton strongly supported civil rights. He also worked to protect the environment. He pushed for actions against South Africa because of its apartheid system.
Burton decided to leave Congress in 1982 to focus on his personal well-being. His brother Phillip took his place in Congress. Phillip passed away in 1983. His wife, Sala Burton, then became a representative. After her passing, Nancy Pelosi took her place. John Burton helped lead Nancy Pelosi's first campaign for Congress.
Returning to the California State Legislature
Burton returned to the Assembly in 1988. He took over from Art Agnos, who became the Mayor of San Francisco. Burton won a full term later that year. He was re-elected in 1990. Around this time, California voters set "term limits." This meant Assembly members could serve only three full terms. State senators could serve two full terms.
Burton served in the Assembly until 1996, when he reached his term limit. He was then elected to the California State Senate in 1996. He served there until 2004, when he reached his term limit again. From 1998 to 2004, Burton was a key leader in the California State Senate.
As a state lawmaker, Burton helped expand the Cal Grant scholarship program. This program helps students pay for college. He also supported a law that would have made businesses pay for worker healthcare. However, voters later rejected this law in a public vote called a referendum. When he left the Senate in 2004, many recognized his strong support for social services. He was known for protecting workers and helping those in need.
Later Career and Advocacy
After leaving the Senate, Burton started the John Burton Foundation in 2005. This group works to make life better for children without homes in California. It also tries to find ways to prevent homelessness. In 2007, he joined the board of the University of Phoenix.
Leading the California Democratic Party
On April 26, 2009, Burton was chosen to lead the California Democratic Party. He took over from Art Torres. He won with about 76% of the votes. He had actually led the party before, from 1973 to 1974.
Burton left his role as party leader in May 2017. Eric Bauman took his place. At his farewell, Burton shared a story from his childhood. He remembered his father giving money to people in need. His father taught him to always help those in difficult situations.
Burton said that Democrats fight for people who don't have much power. Many important people from his party praised him. They applauded his long leadership. They also recognized his support for farmworkers, the homeless, and those in need. He was also remembered for protesting the Vietnam War.
Work with the San Francisco Port Commission
Mayor London Breed appointed Burton to the San Francisco Port Commission on October 22, 2020. He worked there until he retired on January 24, 2023. It's interesting to note that Burton helped create this commission back in 1968. He did this when he was a state assemblymember.
Personal Life and Legacy
John Burton was married to Michele Hall. Her father was Jack Hall, a union leader. Their daughter, Kimiko Burton, also worked in public service. She was the San Francisco Public Defender from 2001 to 2003. She also served on the California State Personnel Board until June 2025. After his first marriage ended, he married Sharon Bain. That marriage also ended.
Burton passed away in San Francisco on September 7, 2025. He was 92 years old. His death was due to complications from a fall.
