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
In office 1973–1974
Preceded by	Charles Manatt
Succeeded by	Bert Coffey
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 California State Assembly
In office April 14, 1988 – December 2, 1996
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
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 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 both the California State Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He represented parts of California in Congress.

Burton served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1974 to 1983. During this time, he strongly supported civil rights, protecting the environment, and improving healthcare. He helped write the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. This law placed economic penalties on South Africa. It was a protest against their system of racial separation called apartheid.

In 1988, Burton was elected to the California State Assembly again. He had served there before, from 1965 to 1974. He stayed in the Assembly until 1996, when he had to leave because of term limits. After that, he was elected to the California State Senate. He served there until 2004, when he reached his term limit again. While in the state Legislature, he worked for causes like making healthcare available to more people. He also worked to protect the environment and advance civil rights.

After leaving the Legislature, Burton continued to be involved in politics. He was the chairman of the California Democratic Party from 2009 to 2017. He also started the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes. This group works to make life better for foster children in California. Throughout his career, Burton has been honored for his public service. He received the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Early Life and Education

John Burton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 15, 1932. His parents were Mildred (Leonard) and Thomas Burton. His father worked as a salesman and a doctor.

He grew up in San Francisco, California. John Burton earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science in 1954. He got this degree from San Francisco State University. Later, he earned a law degree (called a Juris Doctor) from the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Political Career Highlights

After finishing law school, John Burton worked as a lawyer in San Francisco. He also worked as a lobbyist for a company called Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

Serving in the California Assembly

Burton was first elected to the California State Assembly in 1964. He served there from 1965 to 1974. He returned to the Assembly later, serving again from 1988 to 1996.

After the 1970 U.S. Census, John Burton and his older brother, Congressman Phil Burton, had an important job. They were in charge of drawing the boundaries for the state's voting districts. This process is called reapportionment.

Leading the Democratic Party

John Burton first served as the chairman of the California Democratic Party from 1973 to 1974. He held this important position again many years later, from 2009 to 2017.

Time in the U.S. House of Representatives

Burton served in the U.S. House of Representatives starting in 1974. He won a special election that year. He served alongside his brother Phil in Congress. John Burton was re-elected three times. He decided not to run for re-election to the House in 1982.

His brother, Phil Burton, passed away in 1983 while still in office. Phil's wife, Sala Burton, won a special election to take his place. She served until her death in 1987. After her passing, Nancy Pelosi won another special election to fill that seat.

After leaving Congress in 1982, John Burton took a break from politics. He worked as a lawyer for nearly six years. Then, in 1988, he returned to the California Assembly.

Return to State Legislature

John Burton was elected back to the Assembly in a 1988 special election. He took the place of Art Agnos, who had become Mayor of San Francisco. Burton then won a full term that fall. He was re-elected in 1990. Around that time, California voters passed new rules called term limits. These rules meant 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. Then, in 1996, he was elected to the state Senate. He was re-elected for a final term in the Senate in 2000. From 1998 to 2004, he held the position of president pro tempore of the Senate. This is a high leadership role.

As a lawmaker, Burton was known for expanding the Cal Grant scholarship program. This program helps students pay for college. He also supported a law that would have required California businesses to pay for health coverage for their workers. The magazine California Journal wrote about Burton leaving the Senate in 2004. They said he was a strong supporter of social services for people in need. He also spoke out against tax breaks for businesses and the wealthy. He was a strong voice for protecting workers and supporting labor unions.

Charitable Work

After leaving the Senate, Burton started the John Burton Foundation. This organization works to improve the lives of homeless children in California. It also tries to find solutions to prevent homelessness.

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

Party Leadership and Legacy

On April 26, 2009, John Burton was elected chairman of the California Democratic Party. He had held this position about 35 years earlier. He took over from Art Torres. Burton received about 76% of the votes.

Burton stepped down from his party leadership role in May 2017. Eric Bauman, who was the vice chairman, took his place. At his farewell event, Burton shared a lesson he learned early in life. He remembered walking in San Francisco with his father. His father would give any money he had to poor people. When John asked why, his father told him he never wanted him to walk past someone in need without helping them. Burton said, "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."

He was praised for his many years of leadership. People applauded his efforts in protesting the Vietnam War. They also recognized his support for farmworkers in the Central Valley, the homeless, and those in need.

San Francisco Port Commission

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

Personal Life

John Burton was married to Michele (née Hall) Burton. She is the daughter of Jack Hall, a Hawaiian trade union leader. Michele worked as a healthcare consultant. Their daughter, Kimiko Burton, served as the San Francisco Public Defender from 2001 to 2003. She currently serves as a member of the California State Personnel Board.