John Burton (American politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Burton
Chair of the California Democratic Party
In office April 13, 2009 – May 20, 2017
Preceded by	Art Torres
Succeeded by	Eric C. Bauman
Member of the California State Senate from the 3rd district
In office December 2, 1996 – December 6, 2004
Preceded by	Milton Marks
Succeeded by	Carole Migden
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office June 4, 1974 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	William S. Mailliard
Succeeded by	Phillip Burton
Constituency	6th district (1974–1975) 5th district (1975–1983)
Member of the California State Assembly
In office April 14, 1988 – December 2, 1996
Preceded by	Art Agnos
Succeeded by	Kevin Shelley
Constituency	16th district (1988–1992) 12th district (1992–1996)
Chair of the California Democratic Party
In office 1973–1974
Preceded by	Charles Manatt
Succeeded by	Bert Coffey
Member of the California State Assembly from the 20th district
In office January 4, 1965 – June 4, 1974
Preceded by	Phillip Burton
Succeeded by	Dixon Arnett
Personal details
Born	John Lowell Burton (1932-12-15) December 15, 1932 (age 92) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	Kimiko Burton (daughter)
Relatives	Phillip Burton (brother) Sala Burton (sister-in-law)
Education	San Francisco State College (BA) University of San Francisco (JD)

John Lowell Burton (born December 15, 1932) is an American politician. He served in important roles in both the California state government and the U.S. national government. As a member of the Democratic Party, he worked to improve life for many people.

Burton was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1974 to 1983. During this time, he strongly supported civil rights, protecting the environment, and making healthcare better. He helped create a law called the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. This law used economic actions to protest apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid was a system of unfair racial separation.

Later, Burton served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate. He worked on many important issues. These included making healthcare available to more people and protecting the environment. He also continued to champion civil rights. After leaving the state government, Burton led the California Democratic Party from 2009 to 2017. He also started the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes. This group helps foster children in California. John Burton has received many awards for his public service.

Early Life and Education

John Burton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 15, 1932. He grew up in San Francisco, California. His father was a salesman and a doctor.

He went to San Francisco State University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. Later, he studied law at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He earned his law degree there.

Starting in Politics

After finishing law school, John Burton became a lawyer in San Francisco. He also worked as a lobbyist for a company called Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). A lobbyist tries to influence lawmakers on behalf of a group or company.

In 1964, Burton was elected to the California State Assembly. This was his first time serving in elected office. He served in the Assembly from 1965 to 1974.

In 1973 and 1974, John Burton was the chairman of the California Democratic Party. He would later hold this important position again.

Serving in Congress

In 1974, John Burton won a special election and became a member of the United States House of Representatives. He served alongside his older brother, Phil Burton, who was also a Congressman. John Burton was re-elected three times. He decided not to run for re-election in 1982.

After his brother Phil passed away in 1983, Phil's wife, Sala Burton, took his place in Congress. She served until she passed away in 1987. Then, Nancy Pelosi won another special election to fill that seat.

Back in the State Legislature

In 1988, John Burton returned to the California State Assembly. He won a special election to take the place of Art Agnos, who became Mayor of San Francisco. He was re-elected for a full term later that year.

In 1990, California voters passed new rules called "term limits." These rules meant that Assembly members could only serve three full terms. State senators could serve two full terms. Burton served the three terms he was allowed in the Assembly.

In 1996, he was elected to the California State Senate. He was re-elected in 2000 for his final term. From 1998 to 2004, he held a powerful role as the president pro tempore of the Senate. This means he was a top leader in the Senate.

As a lawmaker, Burton was known for helping to expand the Cal Grant scholarship program. This program helps students pay for college. He also supported a law that would have required businesses to help pay for their workers' health insurance. He was a strong voice for social services for those in need. He also fought for workers' rights.

Helping Children and the Homeless

After leaving the State Senate in 2004, John Burton started the John Burton Foundation. This organization works to make life better for homeless children in California. It also tries to find ways to prevent children from becoming homeless.

In 2007, he was appointed to the board of the University of Phoenix.

Leading the Democratic Party

On April 26, 2009, John Burton was elected chairman of the California Democratic Party. He took over from Art Torres. He received a large majority of the votes.

Burton stepped down from his role as party chairman in May 2017. Eric C. Bauman became the new chairman. At his farewell event, Burton shared an important lesson from his father. He remembered his father always helping poor people. His father told him, "That's what Democrats do. …There’s a lot of people out there that if we don’t fight for them, nobody’s going to fight for them because they don’t have any power."

Many people praised Burton for his long career in public service. They applauded his efforts to expand medical care for Californians. He was also recognized for protesting the Vietnam War and supporting farmworkers, the homeless, and those in need.

Later Public Service

On October 22, 2020, the Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, appointed John Burton to the San Francisco Port Commission.

Family Life

John Burton was married to Michele Burton. Her father, Jack Hall, was a union leader in Hawaii. John and Michele have a daughter named Kimiko Burton. Kimiko served as the San Francisco Public Defender from 2001 to 2003. She is currently a member of the California State Personnel Board.