Josh Becker
Member of the California State Senate
from the 13th district
Assumed office
December 7, 2020
Preceded byJerry Hill
Personal details
Born (1969-04-13) April 13, 1969
Villanova, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJonna
Children2
EducationWilliams College (BA)
Stanford University (JD, MBA)

Josh Becker (April 13, 1969) is an American politician currently in the California State Senate. He is a Democrat representing the 13th Senate District, which encompasses most of San Mateo County and the northern part of Santa Clara County. Prior to being elected to the State Senate in November 2020, he was initiator of the Full Circle community organization and the CEO of Lex Machina.[1]

Early life and education

Becker attended Williams College and Stanford University. During his time as a Stanford student, he cofounded a program called the Stanford Board Fellows, which trained students to serve in local nonprofit organizations and in social progress. He graduated from the university with a JD–MBA degree in 1999.[1]

Career

A year after he graduated from the university, Becker established the Full Circle community organization. The organization funds nonprofit and supported policy innovations and community organizations in economic opportunity, education, environmental sustainability and health.[1]

Becker was appointed as part of the California State Workforce Development Board and Child Care Partnership Council in San Mateo County by California Governor Jerry Brown. He served seven years on the board and council.[1]

After his father's death from brain cancer, Becker founded a biotech company for cancer cure research. Becker also founded New Cycle Capital. He joined Lex Machina in 2011 and as its CEO, he made the company into a nationally recognized platform. In 2020, he found a legal tech accelerator that supported legal and public policy system innovators.[1]

California State Senate

Becker was elected to the California State Senate in the 2020 California State Senate election. He was sworn into office on December 7, 2020, replacing Jerry Hill, who was termed out.[2]

Becker appointed Bryan King as his chief of staff and Nicole Fernandez as his district director.[3]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Becker supported prioritizing teachers, early childhood educators and child care providers for early access to COVID-19 vaccinations, immediately after health care workers and vulnerable seniors.[4][5]

Becker is a member of the Senate Climate Workgroup and has authored multiple climate action bills, including one that would require more frequent reporting by electricity providers on energy sources, another that would establish an earlier net zero goal for state agencies, and a few bills aimed at facilitating electrification.[6]

Possible Congressional candidacy

After the retirement of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Becker has stated that he may be a candidate to succeed her in the United States House of Representatives.[7] On December 6, 2023, Becker stated that he would seek reelection to the state Senate.[8]

Elections

2020 State Senate Election

2020 California State Senate election
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Josh Becker 66,428 23.8
Republican Alex Glew 48,378 17.3
Democratic Sally Lieber 47,773 16.9
Democratic Shelly Masur 45,211 16.2
Democratic Annie Oliva 33,311 11.9
Democratic Mike Brownrigg 32,481 11.6
Libertarian John Webster 5,910 2.1
Total votes 279,492 100.0
General election
Democratic Josh Becker 348,005 75.4
Republican Alex Glew 113,315 24.6
Total votes 461,320 100.0
Democratic hold

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Biography". Senator Josh Becker. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  2. ↑ Shelley, Senate Photographer Lorie (December 8, 2020). "Josh Becker takes the Oath of Office". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  3. ↑ "State Sen.-elect Becker names two top staffers". Palo Alto Daily Post. November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. ↑ staff, Austin Walsh Daily Journal (December 12, 2020). "Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo: Teachers should be vaccinated". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  5. ↑ Sheeler, Andrew. "Child care workers should be prioritized for COVID vaccines, lawmakers tell Gavin Newsom". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  6. ↑ staff, Corey Browning Daily Journal (May 28, 2022). "Josh Becker climate bills clear Senate". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  7. ↑ https://news.yahoo.com/former-sj-mayor-becomes-2nd-014736281.html
  8. ↑ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/state-sen-josh-becker-not-running-for-eshoo-s-seat/ar-AA1l77S5
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