Bob Hertzberg

Bob Hertzberg
Name	Robert D. Hertzberg
Birth date	March 9, 1954
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Party	Democratic Party
Spouse	Suzanne Hertzberg
Occupation	Attorney, Entrepreneur, Politician
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

Bob Hertzberg

Robert D. Hertzberg is an American attorney, entrepreneur, and Democratic Party politician from California who served in the California State Assembly and California State Senate, including as Speaker of the Assembly. He is known for work on energy policy, criminal justice reform, infrastructure, and legislative modernization. Hertzberg has also founded and led businesses in entertainment, real estate development, and energy, and has been active in civic and philanthropic organizations in Los Angeles and statewide.

Early life and education

Hertzberg was born in Los Angeles and raised in the San Fernando Valley, attending local schools and community institutions in Southern California such as Los Angeles Valley College and public high schools near San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Berkeley where he participated in campus organizations and policy forums connected to California politics, the Democratic Party, and regional civic groups. He later obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and engaged with legal clinics and alumni networks linked to the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association, and bar associations in Los Angeles. During his formative years he was influenced by public figures and institutions including lawmakers from California State Assembly, judges from the Los Angeles Superior Court, and civic leaders in organizations like the Greater Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and nonprofit entities such as the United Way.

Legal career and business ventures

After law school, Hertzberg practiced law and launched business ventures that connected him to the entertainment industry and urban development. He worked as a corporate and transactional attorney engaging with entertainment firms in Hollywood, production companies working with Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures Entertainment, and with music industry entities tied to Universal Music Group. His entrepreneurial activities included founding companies and participating in real estate projects across Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and Southern California regions with investors from finance networks like Goldman Sachs-affiliated funds and local development firms. Hertzberg has been involved in energy ventures and technology investments intersecting with organizations such as the California Public Utilities Commission, renewable firms competing in markets influenced by the California Air Resources Board and federal agencies such as the Department of Energy. He has served on corporate boards and nonprofit boards including cultural institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, educational institutions such as UCLA, and civic foundations connected to philanthropic networks like the California Community Foundation.

Political career

Hertzberg began elective politics in local and state Democratic Party circles, serving in the California State Assembly where he rose to become Speaker, and later in the California State Senate. During his time in the Assembly he worked with legislative leaders and caucuses including the California Legislative Black Caucus, the California Legislative Latino Caucus, and the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, and negotiated with governors including Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jerry Brown. In the Senate he chaired committees and engaged with statewide officials such as the Attorney General of California, the Lieutenant Governor of California, and assemblymembers and senators from districts encompassing Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and the San Fernando Valley's neighboring counties. Hertzberg has been a delegate to Democratic conventions and has participated in policy coalitions with national legislators from the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, collaborating on issues that involved federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and federal programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Legislative achievements and policy positions

Hertzberg sponsored and supported legislation addressing criminal justice, energy, transportation, and public safety. He authored bills influencing oversight of energy infrastructure and utilities regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission and supported renewable energy policies tied to the California Air Resources Board's clean energy mandates and the California Energy Commission. On criminal justice he backed reforms coordinated with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and advocacy organizations such as the ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund. In transportation and infrastructure Hertzberg worked on projects and funding mechanisms involving the California Department of Transportation, regional Metropolitan Planning Organizations like the Southern California Association of Governments, and transit agencies such as the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He has taken positions on land use and housing linked to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and partnered with municipal governments including the City of Los Angeles and county supervisors. Hertzberg engaged in fiscal legislation touching on state budgeting processes overseen by the Legislative Analyst's Office and the State Controller of California, and on electoral and ethics reforms interacting with the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Electoral history

Hertzberg’s electoral career includes multiple campaigns for the California State Assembly and California State Senate, a successful bid for Speaker of the Assembly, and campaigns for statewide office and local positions. He contested seats in legislative districts that encompassed parts of Los Angeles County, the San Fernando Valley, and adjacent communities, running in primary and general elections administered by county registrars such as the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. His campaigns drew endorsements from elected officials including members of the United States House of Representatives, statewide executives, and municipal leaders, as well as labor unions such as the California Labor Federation and public employee unions like the California Teachers Association. Across election cycles he faced challengers connected to the Republican Party, progressive Democrats affiliated with groups like the California Progressive Alliance, and independent candidates, and participated in debates hosted by civic organizations including the League of Women Voters.

Personal life and community involvement

Hertzberg is married to Suzanne and has three children; he resides in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles. He has been active in civic and philanthropic institutions, serving on boards and supporting organizations such as the Skirball Cultural Center, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and educational initiatives connected to UCLA and Berkeley. He participates in community forums with neighborhood councils in Los Angeles, collaborates with county agencies like the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and engages with policy think tanks and advocacy groups including the Public Policy Institute of California and the Bipartisan Policy Center. Hertzberg has been recognized by community groups, legal associations, and business organizations, and remains involved in statewide civic networks connecting elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and private-sector partners.

Category:California politicians Category:Living people Category:1954 births