Don Perata -- a native and life-long resident of the East Bay -- holds a distinguished record as a public servant, rising from the ranks of school teacher to become president of the California State Senate.

The son of immigrant parents who taught him the value of hard work, Don served on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors before the people of Oakland, Piedmont and Alameda elected Don as their representative in the State Assembly in 1996.

Don proved to be an effective leader who delivered results and over the next decade became one of the most influential Democrats in California. He was elected to the State Senate and then selected on three occasions by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tem of the Senate.

Throughout his career, Don Perata has been a fierce advocate for public education, social justice, environmental protection, public safety, public health and effective delivery of government services.

Don has mounted a successful campaign for the California Cancer Research Act. As a cancer survivor, Don has championed the fight against cancer by qualifying the California Cancer Research Act (CCRA) for California’s next statewide ballot by gathering over 600,000 voter signatures. If passed by the voters, CCRA will provide more than $750 million annually for cancer research and tobacco cessation through a $1 per pack tobacco tax.

Show full bio

Hide full bio