Sam Russell
From Usgs
Sam Russell (born January 9, 1976) is an American politician and former United States Senator from California. Russell was elected to his first term in 2008. Prior to his term in the Senate he served in the United States House of Representatives. In 2018 he announced he would run for his old seat in Congress, and won the primary handily.
| ||||
| US Senator | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Office: 2008 - 2015 | ||||
| Preceded by | Barbara Boxer | |||
| Succeeded by | Thomas Byerly | |||
| Born | January 9, 1976 (age 45) San Diego, California | |||
| Political Party | Democratic Party | |||
| Spouse | Mark Wong | |||
| Religion | Protestant | |||
Contents |
Early Life
Sam Russell was born in San Diego, California as the fourth of five children. His father Bart was a corporate lawyer and his mother Sarah was a pediatrician. Sam was a good student who at age 18 was admitted to Cornell University.
During his time at Cornell Sam had planned to follow his mother into medicine. However after coming out as gay during his freshman year of college and watching the 1994 election he decided to enter politics. During his time at Cornell he became more and more involved as an activist.
After graduating from Cornell he attended Georgetown University Law School. He spent his three years working towards his degree, and generally fell out of politics.
Early Career
In 1999 he graduated from Georgetown and returned home to San Diego. He decided to go into public service and found a job as a public defender. During his five years in that position he made connections that would assist him in his later political career. During this time he also became involved in politics again, working as a volunteer for a number of campaigns.
Political Career
In 2004 Sam ran for the State Assembly when term limits forced the incumbent out of office. In his one term he kept a low profile and had little influence. It was assumed he would run and easily win reelection in 2006.
However in early 2005 Congresswoman Susan Davis announced she would retire after three terms in office. Russell entered the primary and won a crowded four way race with 36% of the vote. He won the general election by a wide margin.
In 2008 he once again ran a surprise race for higher office when Senator Barbara Boxer resigned. Originally he faced a crowded Democratic primary with LA Congressman Antonio Gonzalez and bay area Congressman Mata O’Donnell, however both withdrew before primary day. In the general election he faced off against moderate Rep. Francisco Cojuanco. The final result of the close race had Russell winning with a little over 52%.
He served his term in the Senate as the leading Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, and cast a center left voting record. He stepped down from his seat in 2015 to spend more time with his family. In 2018 he announced a return to office by running for Congress.
Personal Life
In 2004 he met then activist and current HRC head Mark Wong during his campaign for the Assembly, the couple married in Canada in 2005. The couple adopted their first child, Ryan, in 2006. Sam and Mark adopted Andrew and Peter Harrison following the death of their parents, Senator and Mrs. Harrison in North Korea.
Elections Results
| Candidates | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Russell [D] | 52.04% | |
| Francisco Cojuanco [R] | 47.96% | |
| Total | 100% | |
| Preceded by Barbara Boxer | California Class 3 Senator 2008 - 2015 | Succeeded by Thomas Byerly |
| Preceded by Susan Davis | Representative for California 53rd 2006 - 2008 | Succeeded by Unknown |
