Our Team

Chris Holden is a visionary public servant who served as California Assemblyman for the 41st District from 2012 to 2024. He is well known for passing Assembly Bill 1054, a landmark law that revamped utility regulations and established a wildfire fund—work that has taken on new urgency in light of recent fires in Altadena, the Palisades, and other communities recently devastated. By addressing the financial and infrastructural challenges tied to wildfire prevention, Chris’s efforts underscore his dedication to building safer, more resilient communities. His influence extends to the Metro Gold Line, where his revolutionary work wasn’t just about laying new tracks, but about driving economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community connectivity all along the route.He also spearheaded Dual Enrollment policies, giving high school students a head start on college credits—proving that, in education as in transit, sometimes you need to open the doors early to keep moving forward.

Chris had the pleasure of serving his communities under both Governor Jerry Brown and Governor Gavin Newsom’s administrations, leaving office with over 100 bills signed into law. During his term, he championed issues like transportation, wildfire preparedness, water conservation, criminal justice reform, and education. The 41st District comprises diverse communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley including Altadena, Pasadena, Monrovia, Claremont, La Verne, La Cañada Flintridge, along with areas of Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and parts of the high desert.

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Chris served 24 years as a Pasadena City Councilmember and Mayor. He was the youngest City Councilmember at age 28 and only the second African American to serve as Mayor. Throughout his years of public service, he has been a dedicated advocate for creating jobs, preserving vital services, strengthening the economic vitality of the San Gabriel Valley and expanding the light rail. While on the City Council, Chris served as a Commissioner and President of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and on the Pasadena Light Rail Alignment Task Force. He is a lifelong resident of the San Gabriel Valley and a proud graduate of San Diego State University. Politics runs in the family for Chris Holden. His father, Nate Holden, served as a prominent Los Angeles City Councilman who stood as a fierce advocate for his community and a firsthand example of true leadership. Chris is a loving husband to his wife Melanie and a dedicated father to their children Nicholas, Alexander, Austin, Mariah and Noah.

Chris Holden’s dedication to people has cemented his reputation as a public servant with unparalleled heart. His work isn’t just about policies or legislation—it’s a personal promise to every community member that their safety, growth, and future matter. With a legacy defined by bold innovation, empathetic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service, Chris Holden continues to inspire countless individuals to believe in the power of community and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.