Jerome Horton

Jerome Edgar Horton (born September 14, 1956) is the member for the 3rd District of the California Board of Equalization and is also a former Chair. He is a former California State Assemblyman for the 51st District who served from 2000 until 2006.

Jerome Horton
Member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 3rd District
In office January 5, 2015 – January 7, 2019
Preceded by	Michelle Park Steel
Succeeded by	Tony Vazquez
Member of the California State Board of Equalization from the 4th District
In office October 5, 2009 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by	Judy Chu
Succeeded by	Diane Harkey
Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district
In office December 4, 2000 – December 4, 2006
Preceded by	Edward Vincent
Succeeded by	Curren D. Price, Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1956-09-14) September 14, 1956 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Yvonne Horton
Children	Myeshia Matthew Sahara
Alma mater	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Profession	Accountant

On July 15, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated Horton for the 3rd district of the California Board of Equalization to replace Judy Chu, who resigned from the board to become a member of the United States House of Representatives.[1] Horton was confirmed by both houses of the Legislature and sworn into office on October 5, 2009, at which point he was immediately elected the Board's Vice Chair.[2] On November 2, 2010, he was elected to his own four-year term.[3] Horton served as Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2016.[4]

Horton's tenure on the Board was often controversial.

An audit by the California Department of Finance of Horton's tenure as Board Chairman revealed missing funds and signs of nepotism, leading to calls for the governor to put the Board under a public trustee. In June 2017, the California Department of Justice began a criminal investigation into the members of the Board leading to Governor Jerome Brown stripping the Board of most of its powers.[5]

Actor Rob Lowe alleged in a Feb. 24 email to board members that Horton had asked him and his wife, actress Sheryl Berkoff, if she “Jewed down” contractors who built their house. Berkoff is Jewish.[6] Horton has never denied the allegations.

Pre-legislative career

Horton worked for the California Board of Equalization for over 20 years.

Election history

2010 California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	1,223,906	71.8%
	American Independent	Shawn Hoffman	215,639	12.6%
	Libertarian	Peter "Pedro" De Baets	198,575	11.6%
	Peace and Freedom	Nancy Lawrence	68,577	4.0%
Majority			1,008,267	59.2%
	Democratic hold

2006 California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District Democratic Primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judy Chu	243,428	49.7%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton	154,536	31.5%
	Democratic	Rita Rogers	60,621	12.3%
	Democratic	Vonny T. Abbott	32,020	6.5%
Majority			88,892	18.2%

2004 California State Assembly elections, 2004[7]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	89,509	84.1%
	Libertarian	Daniel R. Sherman	16,941	15.9%
Majority			72,568	68.2%
	Democratic hold

2002 California State Assembly elections, 2002[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	49,718	100.0%
Majority			N/A	—
	Democratic hold

References

1. Goldmacher, Shane (July 17, 2009). "Schwarzenegger appoints former Democratic lawmaker to tax board". Los Angeles Times.
2. Anita Gore (October 6, 2009). "Jerome E. Horton Named Vice Chair of the Board of Equalization" (PDF). California Board of Equalization.
3. "State Board of Equalization; District 4 Voter Information". League of Women Voters Smart Voter. November 30, 2010.
4. Anita Gore (January 26, 2011). "Jerome E. Horton Named Chairman of the State Board of Equalization" (PDF). California Board of Equalization.
5. "In massive shakeup, Gov. Jerry Brown breaks up California's scandal-plagued tax collection agency". Los Angeles Times. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
6. "Rob Lowe says state tax official made 'anti-Semitic' remarks". The Charlotte Observer.
7. 2004 State Assembly Results Archived 2008-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
8. 2002 State Assembly Results Archived 2008-03-20 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20050301203504/http://www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/makebio.asp?district=51

Political offices
California Assembly
Preceded by Edward Vincent	California State Assemblyman 51st District 2000-2006	Succeeded by Curren D. Price, Jr.
Preceded by Judy Chu	California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District 2009–2015	Succeeded by Diane Harkey
Preceded by Michelle Park Steel	California State Board of Equalization Member 3rd District 2015–Present	Incumbent