Josh Becker (politician)

Josh Becker
Josh Becker
Member of the California State Senate; from the 13th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; December 7, 2020
Preceded by	Jerry Hill
Personal details
Born	April 13, 1969 (age 55); Villanova, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Jonna
Children	2
Education	Williams College (BA); Stanford University (JD, MBA)

Josh Becker (April 13, 1969) is an American politician currently in the California State Senate. He is a Democrat representing the 13th Senate District, which encompasses most of San Mateo County and part of Santa Clara County. Prior to being elected to the State Senate in November 2020, he was initiator of the Full Circle community organization and the CEO of Lex Machina.^[1]

Early life and education

Becker attended Williams College and Stanford University. During his time as a Stanford student, he cofounded a program called the Stanford Board Fellows, which trained students to serve in local nonprofit organizations and in social progress. He graduated from the university with a JD–MBA degree in 1999.^[1]

Career

A year after he graduated from the university, Becker established the Full Circle community organization. The organization funds nonprofit and supported policy innovations and community organizations in economic opportunity, education, environmental sustainability and health.^[1]

Becker was appointed as part of the California State Workforce Development Board and Child Care Partnership Council in San Mateo County by California Governor Jerry Brown. He served seven years on the board and council.^[1]

After his father's death from brain cancer, Becker founded a biotech company for cancer cure research. Becker also founded New Cycle Capital. He joined Lex Machina in 2011 and as its CEO, he made the company into a nationally recognized platform. In 2020, he found a legal tech accelerator that supported legal and public policy system innovators.^[1]

California State Senate

Becker was elected to the California State Senate in the 2020 California State Senate election. He was sworn into office on December 7, 2020, replacing Jerry Hill, who was termed out.^[2]

Becker appointed Bryan King as his chief of staff and Nicole Fernandez as his district director.^[3]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Becker supported prioritizing teachers, early childhood educators and child care providers for early access to COVID-19 vaccinations, immediately after health care workers and vulnerable seniors.^[4]^[5]

Becker is a member of the Senate Climate Workgroup and has authored multiple climate action bills, including one that would require more frequent reporting by electricity providers on energy sources, another that would establish an earlier net zero goal for state agencies, and a few bills aimed at facilitating electrification.^[6]

Possible Congressional candidacy

After the retirement of Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Becker has stated that he may be a candidate to succeed her in the United States House of Representatives.^[7] On December 6, 2023, Becker stated that he would seek reelection to the state Senate.^[8]

Elections

2020 State Senate Election

2020 California State Senate election
Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Josh Becker	66,428	23.8
	Republican	Alex Glew	48,378	17.3
	Democratic	Sally Lieber	47,773	16.9
	Democratic	Shelly Masur	45,211	16.2
	Democratic	Annie Oliva	33,311	11.9
	Democratic	Mike Brownrigg	32,481	11.6
	Libertarian	John Webster	5,910	2.1
Total votes			279,492	100.0
General election
	Democratic	Josh Becker	348,005	75.4
	Republican	Alex Glew	113,315	24.6
Total votes			461,320	100.0
	Democratic hold

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Biography". Senator Josh Becker. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
^ Shelley, Senate Photographer Lorie (December 8, 2020). "Josh Becker takes the Oath of Office". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
^ "State Sen.-elect Becker names two top staffers". Palo Alto Daily Post. November 23, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
^ staff, Austin Walsh Daily Journal (December 12, 2020). "Sen. Josh Becker, D-San Mateo: Teachers should be vaccinated". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
^ Sheeler, Andrew. "Child care workers should be prioritized for COVID vaccines, lawmakers tell Gavin Newsom". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
^ staff, Corey Browning Daily Journal (May 28, 2022). "Josh Becker climate bills clear Senate". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
^ "Former SJ mayor becomes 2nd person to file papers for 16th Dist. congressional seat". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
^ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved December 18, 2024.