Burton was a U.S. Congressman, a state senator, a state assemblyman twice and served two terms as the chair of the California Democratic Party.
CALIFORNIA, USA — John Lowell Burton, a prominent California Democrat who served in the U.S. Congress, state senate and assembly, has died at 92.
Burton, of San Francisco, also reportedly served twice as the chair of the California Democratic Party — once from 1973 to 1974 and again from 2009-2017.
The California Democratic Party building at 9th and S streets in Sacramento is named after him: the “John L. Burton Democratic Headquarters.”
He was elected as a Democrat to the 93rd Congress in 1974 by a special election to fill the vacancy produced by Congressman William Mailliard’s resignation, according to a biographical directory of the U.S. Congress. He served until 1983.
He was elected to the California assembly twice, serving from 1965-1974 then again from 1988-1996, according to Ballotpedia. He was a member of the California senate from 1996-2004.
Burton was the brother of Congressman Phillip Burton and brother-in-law of Congresswoman Sala Galante Burton, both of California, per the directory.
He was born Dec. 15, 1932, in Cincinnati before moving to San Francisco where he attended high school, college and law school. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956 before he was admitted to the California bar in 1961.
Burton’s tributes
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) said the following Sunday morning:
“The Golden State has lost one of its fiercest and most influential leaders. John Burton devoted his career to advancing justice, expanding opportunity, and standing up for working families.
“From his decades of service and leadership in the State Legislature, and as Chair of the California Democratic Party, Burton shaped California’s progressive legacy for generations. He led the fight to expand access to health care, strengthened protections for workers, increased funding for education, and helped establish our state as a national example for civil rights and environmental protection, while fiercely advocating for these core California values on the federal stage in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“John was a mentor to countless progressive leaders across California, including me. I’ll always be grateful for his counsel over our breakfasts at Delancey Street Restaurant in San Francisco, surrounded by residents working to rebuild their lives.
“John was bluntly honest and never shied away from a fight if it meant protecting the vulnerable and giving a voice to the voiceless — a mission he carried on even after his political career by providing a pathway to a better life for thousands of foster youth and securing billions of dollars to invest in their success.
“California is a better place because of John Burton. His impact on our politics and his dedication to progressive values will be felt for generations to come.”
California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-California) said Burton died Sunday morning and shared the following statement:
“John Burton was a giant of San Francisco & California politics. He moved mountains for our community & stood up for progressive values even when it wasn’t popular. His passing is a huge loss.
“As authoritarianism rises, John’s memory gives us resolve to fight. Rest in power.”
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Elk Grove) said:
“We have lost a titan of California politics and a true public servant with the passing of my friend John Burton. From the State Capitol to the halls of Congress, and later as Chair of the California Democratic Party, John was unapologetically authentic with unwavering conviction. When he set his mind to something, you were never going to forget it. He could be sharp-tongued and combative at times, but was always guided by sincerity and compassion. John cared deeply about people, and that came through in every fight he took on and every cause he championed. He was truly one of a kind – strategically brilliant, fearless, and relentless in delivering results for the most marginalized and voiceless among us. California is a better place because of John’s integrity and courage. My prayers are with all of John’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Current California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks said:
“Today I join California Democrats with heavy hearts in mourning the passing of John Burton, truly one-of-a-kind and the fiercest defender of the most vulnerable among us. John’s legacy is one of relentless courage, unyielding compassion, and an unshakable belief that government is at its best whenever it serves the people who need it most. He never backed down from a fight when it came to protecting working families, standing up for children, or giving voice to those too often left behind.
The greatest way to honor John Burton is to keep fighting with the same grit, tenacity, and heart that defined his life. California is a more just and compassionate place because of John, and we will carry his fight forward.”