Jerome Horton

Jerome Edgar Horton (born September 14, 1956) is an American accountant and politician who was a member of the California Board of Equalization from the 3rd district from October 5, 2009 to January 7, 2019. He previously served as a member of the California State Assembly from 2000 until 2006.

Jerome Horton
Member of the California State Board of Equalization
In office October 5, 2009 – January 7, 2019
Preceded by	Judy Chu
Succeeded by	Tony Vazquez
Constituency	4th district (2009–2015) 3rd district (2015–2019)
Member of the California State Assembly from the 51st district
In office December 4, 2000 – November 30, 2006
Preceded by	Edward Vincent Jr.
Succeeded by	Curren Price
Personal details
Born	Jerome Edgar Horton (1956-09-14) September 14, 1956 (age 68) Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Yvonne Horton
Children	3
Alma mater	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Profession	Accountant

Career

On July 15, 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated Horton for the 3rd district of the California Board of Equalization to replace Judy Chu, who resigned from the board to become a member of the United States House of Representatives.^[1] Horton was confirmed by both houses of the legislature and sworn into office on October 5, 2009, at which point he was immediately elected the board's vice chair.^[2] On November 2, 2010, he was elected to his own four-year term.^[3] Horton served as chair of the board from 2011 to 2016.^[4]

On November 9, 2020, Horton announced his candidacy for the 2022 U.S. Senate election in California.^[5]

Allegations of Improper Activity

An audit by the California Department of Finance of Horton's tenure as board chairman revealed missing funds and signs of nepotism, leading to calls for the governor to put the board under a public trustee. In June 2017, the California Department of Justice began a criminal investigation into the members of the board leading to Governor Jerry Brown stripping the board of most of its powers.^[6]

Electoral history

2010

2010 California State Board of Equalization, 4th district[3]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	1,223,906	71.8%
	American Independent	Shawn Hoffman	215,639	12.6%
	Libertarian	Peter "Pedro" De Baets	198,575	11.6%
	Peace and Freedom	Nancy Lawrence	68,577	4.0%
Majority			1,008,267	59.2%
	Democratic hold

2006

2006 California State Board of Equalization, 4th district Democratic primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judy Chu	243,428	49.7%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton	154,536	31.5%
	Democratic	Rita Rogers	60,621	12.3%
	Democratic	Vonny T. Abbott	32,020	6.5%
Majority			88,892	18.2%

2004

2004 California State Assembly elections, 2004[7]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	89,509	84.1%
	Libertarian	Daniel R. Sherman	16,941	15.9%
Majority			72,568	68.2%
	Democratic hold

2002

2002 California State Assembly elections, 2002[8]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jerome Horton (incumbent)	49,718	100.0%
Majority			N/A	—
	Democratic hold