Jerome Horton
Jerome Edgar Horton (born September 14, 1956) was the member for the 3rd District of the California Board of Equalization until January 7, 2019 and is also a former Chair. He is a former California State Assemblyman for the 51st District who served from 2000 until 2006.
Jerome Horton | |
|---|---|
 Horton in 2009 | |
| Member of the California State Board of Equalization | |
| In office October 5, 2009 – January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Judy Chu |
| Succeeded by | Tony Vazquez |
| Constituency | 4th district (2009–15) 3rd district (2015–19) |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district | |
| In office December 4, 2000 – December 4, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Vincent |
| Succeeded by | Curren D. Price, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jerome Edgar Horton September 14, 1956 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Yvonne Horton |
| Children | Myeshia Matthew Sahara |
| Alma mater | California State University, Dominguez Hills |
| Profession | Accountant |
Political career
On July 15, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated Horton for the 3rd district of the California Board of Equalization to replace Judy Chu, who resigned from the board to become a member of the United States House of Representatives.[1] Horton was confirmed by both houses of the Legislature and sworn into office on October 5, 2009, at which point he was immediately elected the Board's Vice Chair.[2] On November 2, 2010, he was elected to his own four-year term.[3] Horton served as Chair of the Board from 2011 to 2016.[4]
On November 9, 2020, Horton announced his candidacy for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in California.[5]
Controversies
An audit by the California Department of Finance of Horton's tenure as Board Chairman revealed missing funds and signs of nepotism, leading to calls for the governor to put the Board under a public trustee. In June 2017, the California Department of Justice began a criminal investigation into the members of the Board leading to Governor Jerry Brown stripping the Board of most of its powers.[6]
Actor Rob Lowe alleged in a February 24 email to board members that Horton had asked him and his wife, actress Sheryl Berkoff, if she "Jewed down" contractors who built their house. Berkoff is Jewish.[7] Horton has never denied the allegations.
Election history
| 2010 California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District[3] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Jerome Horton (incumbent) | 1,223,906 | 71.8% | |
| American Independent | Shawn Hoffman | 215,639 | 12.6% | |
| Libertarian | Peter "Pedro" De Baets | 198,575 | 11.6% | |
| Peace and Freedom | Nancy Lawrence | 68,577 | 4.0% | |
| Majority | 1,008,267 | 59.2% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| 2006 California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District Democratic Primary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Judy Chu | 243,428 | 49.7% | |
| Democratic | Jerome Horton | 154,536 | 31.5% | |
| Democratic | Rita Rogers | 60,621 | 12.3% | |
| Democratic | Vonny T. Abbott | 32,020 | 6.5% | |
| Majority | 88,892 | 18.2% | ||
| 2004 California State Assembly elections, 2004[8] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Jerome Horton (incumbent) | 89,509 | 84.1% | |
| Libertarian | Daniel R. Sherman | 16,941 | 15.9% | |
| Majority | 72,568 | 68.2% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| 2002 California State Assembly elections, 2002[9] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Jerome Horton (incumbent) | 49,718 | 100.0% | |
| Majority | N/A | — | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- Goldmacher, Shane (July 17, 2009). "Schwarzenegger appoints former Democratic lawmaker to tax board". Los Angeles Times.
- Anita Gore (October 6, 2009). "Jerome E. Horton Named Vice Chair of the Board of Equalization" (PDF). California Board of Equalization.
- "State Board of Equalization; District 4 Voter Information". League of Women Voters Smart Voter. November 30, 2010.
- Anita Gore (January 26, 2011). "Jerome E. Horton Named Chairman of the State Board of Equalization" (PDF). California Board of Equalization.
- "Former Inglewood councilman gears up for 2022 Senate race". 2UrbanGirls. November 9, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- "In massive shakeup, Gov. Jerry Brown breaks up California's scandal-plagued tax collection agency". Los Angeles Times. 2017-06-28. Retrieved 2020-07-01.
- "Rob Lowe says state tax official made 'anti-Semitic' remarks". The Charlotte Observer.
- 2004 State Assembly Results Archived 2008-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
- 2002 State Assembly Results Archived 2008-03-20 at the Wayback Machine
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| California Assembly | ||
| Preceded by Edward Vincent |
California State Assemblyman 51st District 2000-2006 |
Succeeded by Curren D. Price, Jr. |
| Preceded by Judy Chu |
California State Board of Equalization Member 4th District 2009–2015 |
Succeeded by Diane Harkey |
| Preceded by Michelle Steel |
California State Board of Equalization Member 3rd District 2015–Present |
Incumbent |