Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 53; Democratic Party

JAMES LAU - DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE STATE ASSEMBLY, AD 53

A son of Chinese immigrants, James was born and raised in Idaho where his parents settled and opened a restaurant. Working along side his parents from an early age, James learned to work hard and accept discipline in his life. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, James took to the outdoors when not working, and became active in swimming, hiking, skiing and fishing. His vocational interest in conservation and environmental education began with these experiences.

After graduation, USC recruited James into its undergraduate program in Environmental Engineering with a scholarship. While in college, James spent a summer as a canvasser for the Sierra Club, urging residents to contact their legislator to take action on sensitive environmental issues. It was background that spurred his interest in the connection between the environment and state government.

Following up, James found work as a policy consultant for a state senator and subsequently as Legislative Director for a Member of the State Assembly. He specialized in issues related to the environment, health, transportation and education. During this period he also advocated for many measures later signed into law, including a landmark consumer protection bill that influenced business practices across the entire nation + while earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

After almost five years of working in the Capitol, James returned to Los Angeles to serve as a program director for a nonprofit children's organization. In this capacity, James wrote draft legislation for a number of bills later signed into law + including the creation of a special fund projected to generate between $4-6 million a year for community centers serving low-income communities.

A dedicated environmentalist, James sold his car six months after moving back to Los Angeles in order to rely primarily on alternative modes of transportation. He is now in his 8th year of independence from automobiles, riding the bus, walking, and biking.

Currently James manages a statewide non-profit environmental organization dedicated to improving the environment through education. He oversees and manages the organization, raises money to support it, supervises its staff and the budget.

Active in Democratic Party activity, James was elected in 2002 to the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee + and reelected three times. He has also served as an elected Member of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party since 1995. In 2005, James was named "Democrat of the Year" for this Assembly District by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party.

James is married to Sandra Chen Lau, vice president of a children's school specializing in early childhood development. James, Sandra, and their daughter, Clementine, live in Venice.