Laura Richardson
Photo: Government Publishing Office, Public domain
DemocratIn office since Nov 2024

Laura Richardson

California State Senator, District 35 since 2024. Next on the ballot in 2028.

California State Senator, District 35Born 1962

In office
1 yr
Since 2024
Bills became law
16
37 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
Votes missed
1.7%
Chamber median 4.2%
With party
100%
On votes splitting the parties
Last margin
+1.1
Won 2024
Next election
2028
Nov 7, 2028

Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Committees

As of 2026-10.

  • Appropriations
  • Arts
  • Banking and Financial Institutions
  • Budget and Fiscal Review
  • Energy, Utilities and Communications
  • Governmental Organization
  • Green Economic Development Select
  • Insurance
  • International Sporting Events: Olympics and World Cup Soccer Special
  • Legislative Budget
  • Ports and Goods Movement Select
  • Transportation

Source: congress-legislators committeesUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Legislation

2025–2026 session · 37 sponsored · 16 became law
BillIntroCmteSenateHouseLaw
SB 1089 Preventive Treatment Health Care Act.
PreventiveTreatmentHealthCareAct · Became law Sep 2026
SB 505 Money Transmission Act: authentication.
MoneyTransmissionAct · Became law Sep 2026
SB 1312 Cemeteries.
Cemeteries · Became law Sep 2026
SB 1337 State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: air districts and local governments:…
StateEnergyResourcesConservationandDevelopmentCommission · Became law Sep 2026
SB 1322 Community Care Expansion Program.
CommunityCareExpansionProgram · Became law Sep 2026

Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET

Voting record

2025–2026 session · placement by roll-call votes

Where Richardson sits in the California State Senate

Richardson is closer to the center than 37% of the chamber's Democrats.

Dem. medianRep. medianRichardsonMore liberalMore conservative

Closest: John Laird, Mike McGuire, Steve Padilla

Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:46 PM ET

With Richardson’s party

  • Votes with the chamber's Democrats100%
  • Cosponsorships of the other party's bills16%

Black tick: the average of Democrats in the California State Senate.

Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships

Key votes

Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Richardson’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.

DateBillRichardsonDem. majorityRep. majorityResult
Aug 31, 2026AB 1156: Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities.YesYesNoPassed 21–14
Aug 31, 2026AB 1642: Wildfires: contamination standards.YesYesNoPassed 30–2
Aug 30, 2026AB 28: Solid waste landfills: subsurface temperatures.YesYesNoPassed 31–3
Aug 30, 2026AB 1198: Public works: prevailing wages.YesYesNoPassed 31–9
Aug 30, 2026AB 2434: Inmates: visitation.YesYesNoPassed 30–9

Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls

Career

Offices held, and every time Richardson was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.

Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)

Elections

Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.

YearRaceResultMargin
2024California State Senate, District 35WonD+1.1
2012U.S. House, CA-44LostR+20.4
2010U.S. House, CA-37WonD+45.1
2008U.S. House, CA-37WonD+50.9
2007U.S. House, CA-37 (special)WonD+41.9
2006California State Assembly, District 55WonD+36.2

Source: 99chambers results archive

Seats Richardson has held

Source: 99chambers results archive

Who Richardson has run against

  • Michelle Chambers (D) · 2024 general, won
  • Janice Hahn (D) · 2012 general, lost
  • Star Parker (R) · 2010 general, won
  • Nicholas "nick" Dibs (I) · 2008 general, won
  • Margherita Underhill (R) · 2006 general, won

Source: 99chambers results archive

How we know Richardson

One person, matched across every source we use.

Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET