John Laird (American politician)
John Laird | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California Senate from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office December 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Monning |
| Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency | |
| In office January 5, 2011 – January 11, 2019 | |
| Governor | Jerry Brown |
| Preceded by | Lester Snow |
| Succeeded by | Wade Crowfoot |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 27th district | |
| In office December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Fred Keeley |
| Succeeded by | Bill Monning |
| Mayor of Santa Cruz | |
| In office 1987–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Jane Weed |
| Succeeded by | Mardi Wormhoudt |
| In office 1983–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce van Allen |
| Succeeded by | Mardi Wormhoudt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 29, 1950 Santa Rosa, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | John Flores |
| Residence | Santa Cruz, California |
| Alma mater | University of California Santa Cruz |
| Website | Laird for Senate |
John Laird (born March 29, 1950) is an American politician who is serving his second term as the California State Senator for District 17, a position he has held since December 7, 2020. A Democrat, Laird was Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2019 and represented the 27th District in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008. The 27th District included parts of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.
Laird, along with Mark Leno of San Francisco, was one of the first two openly gay men to serve in the California Legislature. In 1983 Laird became one of the United States' first openly gay mayors, when he took over the mayoralty of the city of Santa Cruz, California.