1. Don Richard Perata was born on April 30,1945 and is a California lobbyist and former Democratic politician, who was President pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2004 to 2008.
29 Facts About Don Perata
1. 2.
Don Perata came in second place in the November 2010 election for Mayor of Oakland.
3.
Don Perata graduated from Saint Joseph High School and earned his degree from Saint Mary's College of California.
4.
Don Perata taught English, History, and Civics from 1966 to 1981 in Alameda County schools.
5.
Don Perata began his political career when he ran for Mayor of Alameda in 1975 but was narrowly defeated.
6.
In 1996, Don Perata was elected as a California State Assemblyman for the Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont district.
7.
In 1998, Don Perata ran for the State Senate for the 9th District which currently includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Dublin, El Sobrante, Emeryville, Livermore, Oakland, Piedmont, Richmond, and San Pablo.
8.
Don Perata's run to the State Senate in 1998 was part of a series of five special elections that were held in the East Bay within less than 12 months, as Don Perata and other East Bay politicians vied for different political offices.
9.
Don Perata was selected by his peers in the California Democratic Party to lead the party in the California State Senate in 2004, becoming the California State Senate President Pro Tempore and leader of Senate.
10.
In 1999, Don Perata successfully drove legislation that updated the California "assault weapons" ban by adding a ban of generically described semi-automatic firearms.
11.
Don Perata obtained a concealed weapons permit to legally carry a loaded handgun in public.
12.
Don Perata claimed this was necessary for self-defense due to threats on his life and the well-being of his family from some individual opponents of his pro-gun control legislative activity.
13.
Don Perata has been an advocate for the rights of the elderly, the mentally ill, and the disabled.
14.
Don Perata supported legislation to create a discount drug program and legislation to require HMOs to pay for mental health treatment.
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Don Perata supported legislation that secured $27 million annually for ovarian and prostate cancer and legislation that increase access to breast cancer screening for low-income women.
16.
Don Perata has authored legislation requiring California utilities companies to contract for cleaner energy sources and supported tougher penalties on oil refinery emissions.
17.
In early 2005, Don Perata introduced a bill to repair California's flagging infrastructure including highway improvements, housing reform and levee repairs.
18.
In July 2007, during state budget negotiations, Don Perata ordered the Senate to remain in session for 19 hours in an attempt to reach an agreement on the budget.
19.
Don Perata needed two Republican votes in the State Senate to pass the budget and the lock down aimed to get those two Republican votes.
20.
Don Perata retaliated against Republican Jeff Denham for voting against the budget by stripping Denham of committee assignments and contributing to a recall effort against Denham.
21.
Don Perata termed out of the State Senate in 2008.
22.
The proposition would have allowed Don Perata to serve one more term in the State Senate.
23.
Don Perata was a target for criticism by the opposition to Proposition 93.
24.
Don Perata filed a "statement of intention" to run for the California Board of Equalization in 2010, but instead decided to run for Mayor of Oakland after incumbent Ron Dellums declined to run for re-election.
25.
Don Perata led in first-place balloting, but came in second place following winner Quan after taking into account ranked choice balloting.
26.
Don Perata was the co-chair of a California campaign committee to pass the California Cancer Research Act, 2012's Proposition 29 a ballot measure that was defeated by California voters on June 5,2012.
27.
In early November 2004, Perata became the official target of a probe by the Justice Department under Republican President, George W Bush.
28.
The FBI, the US Attorney's Office, and a federal grand jury investigated whether Perata took bribes or kickbacks from friends and campaign donors in exchange for his help.
29.
The articles suggested that between 1998 and 2007, Don Perata spent more than $1 million of campaign cash on parties and high-end lifestyle expenditures, amounting to more than one-quarter of the total he raised for his reelection campaigns in that time.