John Burton, Liberal Lion' and Architect of Famed SF Political Machine, Has Died at 92

"who held SF's seat in Congress now long-held by Nancy Pelosi in the early 70s, and went on to both the California state Senate and state Assembly, eventually beoming chair of the California Democratic Party. Burton is credited with convincing Pelosi to run for his former seat in Congress, and with launching the political career of his one-time staffer Barbara Boxer. Burton is also the co-architect of the famed Burton-Brown political machine with Willie Brown, who had been his roommate at SF State"

"Today, working families have lost one of the most outspoken, ferocious and unyielding champions our nation has ever known. John Burton was a towering progressive warrior, who for half a century never pulled a punch in his dogged fight for a fairer future for our children, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said in a Sunday statement. All who knew John knew that behind his profanity-laden language was a profound progressive vision for how to make real the promise of America."

John Burton served as a U.S. congressman for San Francisco, then in both the California state Senate and Assembly, and later as chair of the California Democratic Party. Burton helped build the Burton-Brown political machine with longtime associate Willie Brown and mentored future leaders, including Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer. Burton is credited with convincing Pelosi to run for his former congressional seat. Burton died in hospice care in San Francisco at age 92 after years of poor health. Colleagues described him as a fierce progressive advocate for working families with a pronounced commitment to vulnerable neighbors.

Read at sfist.com