Charles Calderon

Charles M. Calderon (born March 12, 1950) is an American politician who served in both chambers of the California State Legislature.

Calderon was first elected to the Assembly in 1982. In 1988–89, he became leader of a power struggle for control of the Assembly. The "Gang of Five", as they were called–Calderon, Gary Condit, Steve Peace of Chula Vista, Gerald Eaves of Rialto, and Rusty Areias of Los Banos, California–were conservative Democrats who tried to wrest power from Willie Brown, then Speaker of the Assembly. Calderon was nominated for the office of Speaker, but Brown prevailed by a vote of 40-34. Brown stripped all five of committee leadership positions and staff.

In 1990, Calderon left the Assembly, and he was elected to the California State Senate. From September 1996 until the end of his term, Calderon served as the first Hispanic Senate Majority leader in California history. He ran unsuccessfully for Attorney General in 1998, losing the primary to Bill Lockyer. Prior to his 2006 election to the Assembly, he served as California Health Care Commissioner and was a Partner with the law firm of Nossaman.

Calderon served a total of 20 years in the California legislature. He is also the first person to have served as Majority Leader in both the California Assembly and California Senate.

Prior to his 1982 election to the Assembly, Calderon was a prosecutor and also served on the Montebello School Board.

Calderon graduated from California State University, Los Angeles and earned a law degree from the UC Davis School of Law.

His brothers Ronald S. Calderon and Thomas M. Calderon have both served in the State Assembly. Ronald currently holds Charles's former Senate seat; Thomas has been out of the legislature since an unsuccessful run for Insurance Commissioner in 2002.

Calderon has a wife named Lisa, and they have three children. Calderon's son Ian serves in the state assembly, representing the 57th district.