Robert Campbell (California politician)

Robert Joseph Campbell[1] (December 20, 1937 – March 27, 2020) was an American politician who served 16 years in the California State Assembly, from 1980 to 1996. He represented the 11th district. He was a member of the Democratic Party.[2]

Robert Campbell
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 11th district
In office
December 1980 – December 1996
Succeeded byTom Torlakson
Personal details
Born(1937-12-20)December 20, 1937
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 27, 2020(2020-03-27) (aged 82)
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Maria Viramontes
Children2
Alma materSan Francisco State University
OccupationInsurance executive, politician

Early life

His family settled in Richmond, California, when he was a child. After high school graduation, he attended Contra Costa College and San Francisco State University, where he received a B.A. degree in 1961. He served in the U.S. Army and the California National Guard from 1961 to 1972. He worked in the insurance industry.[2]

Political career

He developed an interest in politics while still in college and worked on several election campaigns. He was elected to the Richmond city council in 1975. In 1980 he was elected to the state Assembly as a Democrat and won re-election seven times in the heavily Democratic district. His priorities were education and environmental protection. He chaired the Ways and Means subcommittee on education for six years and served on the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee for 15 years. He was often the author of bills involving funding for schools and community colleges.[3][4]

In 1996, unable to seek re-election to the California State Assembly due to term limits, he opted to run for California State Senate. However, Campbell did not run for his area senate seat, which had been made more competitive after the last redistricting. He chose to instead run in a neighboring district, which was much more Democratic, but went on to lose the Democratic primary to Assembly colleague Barbara Lee.[2] He was subsequently appointed to the California Coastal Commission by Assembly Speaker Cruz Bustamante.[5]

Personal life

Campbell was married to Maria Viramontes; they had four sons and a daughter. He was a vegetarian, nonsmoker, and nondrinker. He died of lung cancer on March 27, 2020.[6]

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References
  1. United Farm Workers of American, AFL-CIO 25th Anniversary Benefit
  2. Robert J. Campbell papers, California state archives
  3. "College Funds OKed", Union Democrat, September 14, 1983
  4. "Bill would abolish college fees", Modesto Bee, June 14, 1985
  5. "Liberal Ex-Assemblyman Named to Coastal Panel; Environment: Republicans criticize Speaker Bustamante's interim appointment of Bob Campbell", Los Angeles Times, December 10, 1996
  6. Prieve, Judith (March 27, 2020). "Former Assemblyman Bob Campbell succumbs to cancer". East Bay Times.
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