Darrell Steinberg '84 Takes Leadership of California Senate

State Senator Darrell Steinberg, a 1984 graduate of King Hall, became the 46th president pro tempore of the California Senate this week, officially assuming leadership over the most powerful legislative body in the state. 

Steinberg had been serving as the unofficial leader of the Senate since February, after it became clear that he had rounded up the votes necessary to succeed termed-out Sen. Dom Perata of Oakland.  Hoping to avoid the political battles that have marked previous transitions of leadership, Steinberg agreed to serve as pro tem-in-waiting before taking over officially November 30.

Since graduating from King Hall, Steinberg has worked as an employee rights attorney with the California State Employees Association and an administrative law judge and mediator.  He served on the Sacramento City Council and in the California State Assembly before moving on to the Senate, where he has represented a Sacramento-based district since 2006.  Steinberg has been named Legislator of the Year by organizations including the California School Board Association, the California Federation of Teachers, and Californians for Disability Rights, and has been honored with the California School Employees Association Public Service Award and the California Journal's Minnie Award, which recognized him for "conduct, an outlook, and demeanor that exemplifies the best kind of public service." 

Sen. Darrell Steinberg's homepage