Herschel Rosenthal (March 13, 1918 in St. Louis, Missouri[1] – June 19, 2009 in Hollywood, California) was an American politician from California and a member of the Democratic Party.

Herschel Rosenthal
Member of the California State Senate
from the 20th district
In office
December 5, 1994 – November 30, 1998
Preceded byDavid Roberti
Succeeded byRichard Alarcon
Member of the California State Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
December 6, 1982 – November 30, 1994
Preceded byAlan Sieroty
Succeeded byRichard Polanco
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 45th district
In office
December 2, 1974 – November 30, 1982
Preceded byWalter J. Karabian
Succeeded byBurt M. Margolin
Personal details
Born(1918-03-13)March 13, 1918
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 2009(2009-06-19) (aged 91)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpousePatricia Rosenthal
ChildrenJoel Rosenthal (son)
Suzanne Hellerstein (daughter)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/warsWorld War II

Political Career

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A member of the Los Angeles City Community Redevelopment Agency,[2] Rosenthal first won election to the California State Assembly in 1974, representing West Los Angeles. He won easy reelection in 1976, 1978 and 1980.[2] In 1982 he left the assembly to run for the state senate seat being vacated by Democrat Alan Sieroty and served in the upper house from 1982 until term-limits forced him from office in 1998.[3]

After the 1991 reapportionment moved Rosenthal's 22nd state senate district into the East Los Angeles area, he was basically left "districtless", although his current term didn't expire until 1994.[4] He opted to run anyway in the newly drawn 23rd district, which picked up much of his old West Los Angeles territory but went on to lose the primary to then assemblyman Tom Hayden by less than 1000 votes[5] In 1994, he chose to seek his final term in the 20th district being vacated by term-limited state senate President Pro Tem David Roberti (D-Van Nuys). The district, based largely in the San Fernando Valley, containted some territory Rosenthal had previously represented.[6]

Death

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Rosenthal died on June 19, 2009, at the age of 91.[7][8]


Electoral history

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Member, California State Assembly: 1974–1982
Member, California State Senate : 1982–1998
Year Office Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1974 California State Assembly
District 45
Herschel Rosenthal 54,730 63.2% Betty Mikol 29,059 33.6%
1976 California State Assembly
District 45
Herschel Rosenthal 68,878 67.9% Betty Mikol 32,555 32.1%
1978 California State Assembly
District 45
Herschel Rosenthal 58,243 67.8% Gary Wheelock 24,647 28.7%
1980 California State Assembly
District 45
Herschel Rosenthal 61,208 63.6% Eleanor Parker 26,440 27.5%
1982 California State Senate
District 22
Herschel Rosenthal 146,511 63.6% Earle Robinson 77,782 32%
1986 California State Senate
District 22
Herschel Rosenthal 146,713 67.9% Daniel Ward Sias 62,841 29.1%
1990 California State Senate
District 22
Herschel Rosenthal 129,939 64.6% Michael Shrager 62,193 30.9%
1992 California State Senate
District 23
Tom Hayden 37%

Herschel Rosenthal 37%

198,425 55.9% Leonard McRoskey 117,455 33.1%
1994 California State Senate
District 20
Herschel Rosenthal 75,345 58.5% Dolores White 53,528 41.5%

References

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  1. ^ Join California-Herschel Rosenthal
  2. ^ a b "JoinCalifornia – Herschel Rosenthal". www.joincalifornia.com. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  3. ^ California Journal Vol. XXIX, No.15 (May 1998) "Complete Election Results". StateNet Publications, May 1998.
  4. ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.5 (May 1992) "Election 1992". StateNet Publications, May 1992.
  5. ^ California Journal Vol. XXIII, No.7 (May 1992) "Complete Primary Results". StateNet Publications, July 1992.
  6. ^ California Journal Vol. XXV, No.5 (May 1994) "Election '94". StateNet Publications, May 1994.
  7. ^ "Former State Senator Herschel Rosenthal Dies in Sacramento". ABC News 10. June 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  8. ^ "Herschel Rosenthal dies at 91; former California state senator". Los Angeles Times. June 20, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
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California Assembly
Preceded by Member of the California State Assembly
45th
District

December 4, 1974 – November 30, 1982
Succeeded by
California Senate
Preceded by Member of the California State
from the 20th district

November 30, 1982 – November 30, 1998
Succeeded by