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3w ago

John L. Burton, Pillar of California Democratic Politics, Dies at 92

California will lower flags to half-staff, with a posthumous Hall of Fame induction planned in recognition of his six-decade imprint.

FILE - State Sen. President Pro Tem John Burton, D-San Francisco, smiles as he reminisces about his time in the Legislature during a Capitol news conference held in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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Nancy Pelosi looks over early returns with Jemma Turner and John Burton at election headquarters on primary election night in April 1987.
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Overview

  • Burton died Sunday in San Francisco of natural causes at age 92, his family said in a statement.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags flown at half-staff and announced a posthumous California Hall of Fame induction, while the state Senate will open Monday with a moment of silence.
  • Across more than 60 years in public life, he served in the U.S. House, the California Assembly, as state Senate president pro tem, and twice as chair of the California Democratic Party.
  • Top Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Alex Padilla, praised his mentorship and record on civil rights, worker protections, education, health care and the environment.
  • After leaving elected office, he founded John Burton Advocates for Youth, which pushed through more than 50 foster-care reforms; the family requested donations to the nonprofit and said a celebration of life is pending.