Assemblymember Chris Holden

Assemblymember Chris Holden brings to the Legislature a lifetime of experience in public service and business garnered during his many years on the Pasadena City Council and the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. He was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2012, and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 from a district that stretches from Pasadena in the West to Upland in the East. While in office, Assemblymember Holden has championed efforts through his legislation and the budget process to improve education outcomes, provide social and racial justice, protect public health, and save developmental disability service providers. In 2020 and 2021, Assemblymember Holden passed landmark social and racial justice legislation with AB 979 and AB 26. Locally, Assemblymember Holden organized a transportation roundtable with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Mayors of 11 other cities to discuss the transportation priorities for the area, including the future of the Metro Gold Line extension. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Holden served almost 24 years as a Pasadena City Councilmember and Mayor. He was the youngest City Councilmember at age 28 and only the second African American to serve as Mayor. Holden owns CHMB Consulting, a real estate firm and is a former owner of a Subway franchise. He is a lifelong resident of the district and graduate of San Diego State University.