Don Perata
| Don Perata | |
|---|---|
| Member of the California Senate from the 9th district |
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In office December 7, 1998 – November 30, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Barbara Lee |
| Succeeded by | Loni Hancock |
| President pro tempore of the California State Senate | |
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In office December 6, 2004 – November 30, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | John L. Burton |
| Succeeded by | Darrell Steinberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 30, 1945 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Saint Mary's College of California |
| Profession | Lobbyist, Politician, Teacher |
Don Richard Perata (born April 30, 1945) is a California Democratic politician, who was President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008. He came in second place in the November 2010 ballot for Mayor of Oakland. Perata now runs a political consultancy company
Perata worked with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to gain passage of five infrastructure related bond measures in 2006. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Perata served in the California State Assembly, as a member of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County, and as a high school teacher.
Born in Alameda, California, Perata is the son of Italian immigrants. During his childhood, he helped his father, Dick to deliver milk door-to-door for the Lakehurst Creamery in Alameda. Perata graduated from Saint Joseph High School and earned his degree from Saint Mary's College of California. He taught English, History, and Civics from 1966 to 1981 in Alameda County schools. Perata has a daughter and a son.
Perata began his political career when he ran for Mayor of Alameda in 1975 but was narrowly defeated. In 1986 he was elected to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and was re-elected to a second term. As Supervisor, Perata worked to shut down problematic liquor stores, ban cigarette advertising, and lobbied the state legislature for an assault weapons ban and funding for the mentally ill.
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