Richard Katz (politician)

Richard Katz is a former Democratic politician who served in the California State Assembly representing the 39th assembly district for 16 years from 1980 until 1996 when he was termed out and succeeded by Tony Cardenas. During his time in the Assembly, Assemblyman Katz served as both the Majority and Minority Leader for the Democratic party.

Mr. Katz attempted a legislative comeback in 1998, losing the primary for the 20th Senate district to LA City Councilman Richard Alarcon.

Katz was a major proponent of the San Fernando Valley secession movement—cochairing the failed Measure F, an initiative effort that appeared on the 2002 ballot.

An ally of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, he was Villaraigosa's public appointee to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board and Metrolink board chair. Although he supported City Controller Wendy Greuel's candidacy for mayor in 2013, Katz was appointed to the city planning commission by the successful candidate, Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Katz is married to Wendy Mitchell, who has served in various capacities in the California State Legislature, and was appointed to the California Coastal Commission in 2010.

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