John Laird

John Laird is an American politician currently serving as a member of the California State Senate for the 17th District, a position he has held since 2020. A prominent figure in California politics, he previously served as the Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2019 and represented the 27th District in the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2008. Laird, who was one of the first openly gay men to serve in the California Legislature, began his political career in local government, notably serving as the mayor of Santa Cruz in the 1980s. Throughout his career, he has focused on environmental protection, climate change, and social services, authoring numerous bills related to public health, housing, and community support.