Ian Calderon
American politician (born 1985)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ian Charles Calderon (born October 19, 1985) is an American politician who represented the 57th Assembly District in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, Calderon served as the Assembly Majority Leader from 2016 to 2020.[1]
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Ian Calderon | |
|---|---|
Calderon in 2025 | |
| Majority Leader of the California Assembly | |
| In office March 10, 2016 – November 30, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Chris Holden |
| Succeeded by | Eloise Reyes |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 57th district | |
| In office December 3, 2012 – November 30, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Roger Hernández (redistricted) |
| Succeeded by | Lisa Calderon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1985 Whittier, California, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Elise Lau (m. 2015) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Charles Calderon (father) Lisa Calderon (stepmother) Tom Calderon (uncle) Ron Calderon (uncle) |
| Education | California State University, Long Beach (BA) |
He was briefly a candidate in the 2026 California gubernatorial election,[2] but withdrew in March 2026.[3]
Early life and education
Ian Calderon was born on October 19, 1985. He is the son of former Assemblymember and State Senator Charles Calderon. His stepmother, Lisa Calderon, and uncle, Tom Calderon, were also members of the California State Assembly.[4] His uncle Ron Calderon was a member of the California State Senate.
Calderon earned a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Long Beach.[5]
Early career
Legislative career
In 2012, Calderon was first elected to the California State Assembly representing the 57th District in Los Angeles County, making him the first millennial elected to the California Legislature.[8] He was re-elected in subsequent cycles (2014, 2016, 2018).[7]
In March 2016, Calderon was chosen to become Majority Leader of the Assembly.[7] He remained Majority Leader until the end of his Assembly tenure in 2020.[9]
He introduced AB 2658 in 2018, which created the California Blockchain Working Group to deliberate on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and related technology policy.[7][9][10]
Calderon also supported increases in the state minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022, and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[7]
During his Assembly tenure, he served as Chair of the Select Committee on Youth and California's Future, Co-Chair of the Legislative Technology & Innovation Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Legislative Millennial Caucus.[7]
Post-legislative career and gubernatorial candidacy
In November 2019, Calderon announced he would not seek re-election in 2020 in order to focus more on spending time with his family. He served out his term through late 2020.[9]
His stepmother, Lisa Calderon, ran for and won his former Assembly seat in November 2020.[11][9]
After leaving office, Calderon founded a consulting and lobbying firm called Majority Advisors.[12] The firm's name is a reference to is his tenure as Majority Leader.[10][9]
In September 2025, Calderon officially announced his candidacy for the 2026 California gubernatorial election.[2] In March 2026, he announced his withdrawal, and endorsed the campaign of Congressman Eric Swalwell.[3]
Electoral history
2014 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Rita Topalian | 15,859 | 52.2 | |
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 14,544 | 47.8 | |
| Total votes | 30,403 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 32,284 | 51.5 | |
| Republican | Rita Topalian | 30,397 | 48.5 | |
| Total votes | 62,681 | 100.0 | ||
2016 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 50,996 | 65.7 | |
| Republican | Rita Topalian | 26,639 | 34.3 | |
| Total votes | 77,635 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 93,339 | 62.7 | |
| Republican | Rita Topalian | 55,577 | 37.3 | |
| Total votes | 148,916 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2018 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 27,136 | 46.6 | |
| Republican | Jessica Martinez | 13,824 | 23.7 | |
| Republican | Oscar J. Llamas | 9,025 | 15.5 | |
| Democratic | Justin Joshua Valero | 6,829 | 11.7 | |
| Democratic | Blake Sullivan Carter | 1,393 | 2.4 | |
| Total votes | 57,331 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Ian Calderon (incumbent) | 84,159 | 64.9 | |
| Republican | Jessica Martinez | 45,492 | 35.1 | |
| Total votes | 129,651 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Personal life
Calderon married Elise Calderon in 2015. They have four children. He resides in Orange County, California.[9]