2020 State Senate
In January 2019,Laird announced his intention to run for the 17th District state Senate seat in 2020. He pledged to focus on a range of issues if elected,from managing the impact of climate change and wildfires,to protecting California's ocean policies,supporting the middle class and expanding access to health care,education and affordable housing. [18] Laird was elected on November 3,2020 to the State Senate after defeating Vicki Nohrden by 64.7% to 35.3%. [19]
During his first term (2020-2024),Laird authored 59 bills signed into law –addressing fentanyl overdose reversal drugs,survival benefits for families of fallen officers,services for foster youth who attend community college,support for older Californians living with HIV,protections against excessive rents for mobile home residents and requires propane cylinders sold in the state to be refillable or reusable by 2028. [20] [21] [22]
In December 2021,the California Citizens Redistricting Commission voted in favor of a new state Assembly and Senate district maps. [23] California's 17th State Senate District spans the northern Central Coast,including the entirety of Santa Cruz,San Benito and Monterey counties and most of San Luis Obispo county. Previously,District 17 included sections of Santa Clara county and did not include San Benito County or the Salinas Valley. [24]
On March 7,2023 Laird announced his campaign for a second term. [25]
Laird has been active in the Santa Cruz community,serving as Vice Chair of the City Charter Review Committee,a founder of the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union,and a board member of the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce. He has been active on a variety of community boards.
He has been active with the lesbian and gay community,as a columnist for the Lavender Reader,a commentator on KZSC's "Closet Free Radio",a founding member of the International Network of Gay and Lesbian Officials—and was an original board member of BAYMEC,the gay and lesbian political action committee for San Mateo,Santa Clara,Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. In the Assembly,he served as chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus.
Laird was a founding member of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project. He served as executive director of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project from 1991 to 1994. [28]
He also has served on the Santa Cruz Community Foundation's Advisory Committee for the Lesbian and Gay Grants Partnership. Laird lives in Santa Cruz with his spouse John Flores. [16] He is fluent in Spanish. [16]
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