John Burton (American politician)
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 |
| 47th President pro tempore of the California Senate | |
| In office February 5, 1998 – November 30, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Lockyer |
| Succeeded by | Don Perata |
| 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 | 16th district (1988–1992) 12th district (1992–1996) |
| In office January 4, 1965 – June 4, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Phillip Burton |
| Succeeded by | Dixon Arnett |
| Constituency | 20th district |
| 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) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Lowell Burton December 15, 1932 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 7, 2025 (aged 92) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | Kimiko Burton (daughter) |
| Relatives | Phillip Burton (brother) Sala Burton (sister-in-law) |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Service years | 1954–1956 |
John Lowell Burton (December 15, 1932 – September 7, 2025) was an American politician who served as chair of the California Democratic Party. He had also served in both houses of the California State Legislature and the United States House of Representatives, representing San Francisco-based districts.
Born in Cincinnati, Burton was raised in San Francisco, where he went to college and worked as an attorney and lobbyist. He served in the California State Assembly from 1965 to 1974 and as chair of the California Democratic Party from 1973 to 1974. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974 and served until 1983, during which time he was a strong advocate for civil rights, environmental protection, and healthcare reform. He co-authored the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, which imposed economic sanctions on South Africa in protest of its system of racial segregation known as apartheid.
In 1988, Burton was elected to the California State Assembly again. He served until he was term-limited in 1996 and was elected to the California State Senate, serving until being term-limited again in 2004. During his time in the Legislature, he championed progressive causes such as expanding access to healthcare, protecting the environment, and advancing civil rights. He served as the 47th president pro tempore of the California State Senate from 1998 to 2004.
After leaving the Legislature, Burton continued his involvement in politics and advocacy. He served a second stint as chair of the California Democratic Party from 2009 to 2017. In 2020, Mayor London Breed appointed Burton to the San Francisco Port Commission, which he helped create as a state assemblymember in 1968. He served on the Port Commission until his retirement in 2023.
Burton was also known for his charity work. In 2005, he established the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes, which works to improve the lives of foster children in California. Throughout his career, Burton had been recognized for his contributions to public service and advocacy, receiving numerous awards and honors.