Darrell Steinberg

Darrell Steinberg
City of Sacramento, California · Public domain · source
Name	Darrell Steinberg
Birth date	July 5, 1959
Birth place	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley; Stanford Law School
Occupation	Politician, Attorney
Party	Democratic Party
Offices	Mayor of Sacramento (2016–present); President pro tempore of the California State Senate (2008–2014); California State Senator (2006–2014)

Darrell Steinberg is an American attorney and politician who has served as Mayor of Sacramento and previously as President pro tempore of the California State Senate. He represented parts of Sacramento County and surrounding communities in the California State Legislature. Steinberg has been involved in statewide policy debates that intersect with leaders and institutions across California, including collaborations with governors, legislative leaders, and advocacy groups.

Early life and education

Steinberg was born in San Francisco and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, attending public schools and engaging with community organizations linked to San Francisco State University and regional civic groups. He earned an undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley where he was exposed to student governance associated with ASUC and civic activists connected to figures like Jerry Brown and Harvey Milk movements. He later attended Stanford Law School, joining networks associated with legal scholars and alumni who served in institutions such as the California Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and municipal legal offices in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego.

Legal and early political career

After law school Steinberg practiced law and worked with nonprofit legal services connected to organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and legal clinics affiliated with Stanford Law School and the University of California. He served on local boards and commissions in Sacramento and worked with labor organizations including the Service Employees International Union and policy groups associated with the League of California Cities and the California Teachers Association. Steinberg ran for the California State Assembly and later won election to the California State Senate, building alliances with legislators such as Ellen Corbett, Leland Yee, Fran Pavley, and later collaborating with colleagues including Kevin de León, Ron Calderon, and John Laird on legislative priorities.

California State Senate

As a California State Senator Steinberg chaired committees and led legislative negotiations with figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger and successive governors including Gray Davis, Jerry Brown, and Gavin Newsom. He was selected as President pro tempore of the California State Senate, working closely with colleagues such as Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, and federal legislators from California delegations including Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, and Adam Schiff on intergovernmental matters. During his tenure he authored and sponsored legislation on criminal justice reform, mental health policy, and public safety, engaging stakeholders including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Health and Human Services Agency, and advocacy organizations like the California Nurses Association and ACLU of Northern California. He negotiated budget agreements impacting state funding allocations and interfaced with fiscal leaders from entities such as the Legislative Analyst's Office and the California State Controller.

Mayor of Sacramento

Steinberg was elected Mayor of Sacramento and has overseen municipal partnerships with agencies including the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, the Sacramento Police Department, and regional transit agencies like Sacramento Regional Transit District and planning bodies such as the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. His mayoralty has involved collaboration with federal and state officials including representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Transit Administration, and governors such as Gavin Newsom and former governor Jerry Brown on housing and infrastructure initiatives. Initiatives under his leadership engaged nonprofit partners like Rebuilding Together Sacramento, homelessness service providers connected to Coalition for the Homeless, and philanthropic entities such as the Annenberg Foundation and local institutions including California State University, Sacramento.

Political positions and policy initiatives

Steinberg has prioritized mental health reform, criminal justice strategies, homelessness policy, and urban development, working alongside mental health advocates like NAMI and academic collaborators at institutions such as UCLA, UC San Francisco, and Stanford University. He has advanced legislation and municipal programs relating to competitive grant funding from agencies including the California Department of Housing and Community Development and federal grant programs administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. His approach to public safety involved coordination with law enforcement leadership such as the FBI Sacramento Field Office and regional district attorneys including the Sacramento County District Attorney office, while engaging criminal justice reformers like The Sentencing Project. On transportation and infrastructure he worked with regional transit authorities, state departments like the California Department of Transportation, and federal partners such as the Federal Highway Administration to pursue projects benefiting I-5 corridors and urban streetscapes. Steinberg has also engaged environmental and sustainability organizations including the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, and state agencies such as the California Environmental Protection Agency on urban resilience and climate-related planning.

Personal life and affiliations

Steinberg is married and has participated in civic, religious, and community organizations linked to cultural institutions like the Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, and educational institutions including Sacramento City College and University of the Pacific. He has been active in partisan and policy networks within the Democratic Party and has affiliations with civic organizations including the YMCA, the Urban Land Institute, and philanthropic boards that interact with foundations such as the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and California Community Foundation. He maintains professional memberships in legal associations including the California Bar Association and has appeared at conferences and events alongside leaders from institutions like Brookings Institution, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Public Policy Institute of California.

Category:Mayors of Sacramento, California Category:California state senators Category:1959 births Category:Living people