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Rusty Hicks

Rusty Hicks is an American attorney and former labor leader serving as chair of the California Democratic Party. Hicks won the June 4, 2019, chairmanship election after the resignation of Eric C. Bauman and was re-elected in 2021. He unsuccessfully ran for California's 2nd Assembly Districtin2024, ultimately placing 3rd in the March Primary.^[2][3]

Hicks was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from Austin College, before moving to Los Angeles in 2003, where he earned a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.^[4]

Hicks worked on the Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign as the California political director. ^[5]

Hicks also worked as a legislative aide to California Assembly members Mike Gordon and Ted Lieu.^{[citation needed]} From November 2014-November 2019, Hicks served as the president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.^[6][5] In 2021 he moved from the Los Angeles area to Arcata, California.

In December 2023, after Assemblyman Jim Wood in a surprise announcement said he wouldn't be seeking re-election the month prior, Hicks announced his run for state assembly with Wood's endorsement amongst a field of 5 other Democratic candidates.^[7][8] Hicks faced scrutiny and calls for resignation from local Democratic Party leaders with many accusing him of "attempting to carpetbag his way into the State Legislature", and for refusing to step aside as Chair while campaigning for office, but agreeing to recuse himself from matters relating to the District.^[9] Hicks campaign received strong support from many statewide leaders and organizations, but failed to gain the needed support from local leaders and organizations within the District with many of it going to Santa Rosa city councilmember Chris Rogers, who was seen as the frontrunner and the progressive candidate in the race with Hicks seen as the moderate. Hicks would ultimately fail to advance to the November General Election, placing 3rd in the March 5 Jungle Primary behind Republican Del Norte school board trustee Michael Greer and Rogers, who given the district heavy Democratic Lean is expected to easily win the general election.^[10][11]

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