Laura Richardson
California State Senator, District 35 since 2024. Ran in 6 elections between 2006 and 2024, winning 5. Next on the ballot in 2028.
- 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
StateEnergyResourcesConservationandDevelopmentCommission · Became law Sep 2026
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Richardson sits in the California State Senate
Richardson is closer to the center than 37% of the chamber's Democrats.
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.
| Date | Bill | Richardson | Dem. majority | Rep. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2026 | AB 1156: Williamson Act contracts: cancellation fees: photovoltaic solar facilities. | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 21–14 |
| Aug 31, 2026 | AB 1642: Wildfires: contamination standards. | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 30–2 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | AB 28: Solid waste landfills: subsurface temperatures. | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 31–3 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | AB 1198: Public works: prevailing wages. | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 31–9 |
| Aug 30, 2026 | AB 2434: Inmates: visitation. | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 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.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin | Seat | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | California State Senate, District 35 | Won | D+1.1 | D+47.2 | −46.1 |
| 2012 | U.S. House, CA-44 | Lost | R+20.4 | — | — |
| 2010 | U.S. House, CA-37 | Won | D+45.1 | — | — |
| 2008 | U.S. House, CA-37 | Won | D+50.5 | — | — |
| 2007 | U.S. House, CA-37 (special) | Won | D+41.9 | — | — |
| 2006 | California State Assembly, District 55 | Won | D+36.2 | — | — |
Source: 99chambers results archive
Campaign money, 2011–12
- Raised
- $616.3K
- Spent
- $619.8K
- Cash
- $2K
Source: FEC filings through Dec 31, 2012Updated Oct 8, 2026, 10:36 AM ET
Seats Richardson has held
- California State Senate, District 35 · since 2024
- U.S. House, CA-37 · 2007–2013
- California State Assembly, District 55 · 2006–2008
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Richardson has run against
- Michelle Chambers (D) · 2024 election, won
- Janice Hahn (D) · 2012 election, lost
- Star Parker (R) · 2010 election, won
- Nicholas Dibs (I) · 2008 election, won
- John Kanaley (R) · 2007 special election, won
- Margherita Underhill (R) · 2006 election, won
Source: 99chambers results archive
How we know Richardson
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Bioguide R000581
- FEC H8CA37137
- Open States ocd-person/bd78b1b9-6d92-4c67-a1f4-0548575f3aa5
- Wikidata Q461610
- Vote Smart 69508
- GovTrack 412253
- OpenSecrets N00029112
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Nov 7, 2026, 3:00 PM ET