Marion W. La Follette
Encyclopedia
Marion W. La Follette is an American
politician from California
and a member of the Republican
party.
, who would later become Los Angeles District Attorney.
She joined the Los Angeles-based staff of newly elected U.S. Senator SI Hayakawa in 1977 and worked for him until 1980, when she ran for the legislature.
, succeeding fellow Republican Paul Priolo. After the 1981 reapportionment, her district shifted entirely into the San Fernando Valley, forcing her to move from her Malibu home to Northidge.
Early in her first term she authored legislation that would have broken up the Los Angeles Unified School District creating an independent district for the San Fernando Valley. Though the legislation was unsuccessful, the public debate it ignited (on whether the LA district is too large) lasts to this day.
In 1986 La Follette made national headlines when she called for drug tests for California legislators. She also pushed for legislation to enact the death peanlty for drug kingpins.
She left the Assembly in 1990 to care for her ailing husband Jack La Follette and endorsed her top aide, 24 year old Rob Wilcox for the Republican nomination. Wilcox narrowly lost to realtor Paula Boland
in the primary.
, who had decided to retire. Davis, a former Los Angeles Police Chief, didn't much like the declared candidate for the seat, state assemblywoman Cathie Wright
(whom he dubbed "The peroxide princess of Simi Valley"), so he openly recruited La Follette to run in the GOP primary (a decision Wright said was "out of spite"). Despites Davis' considerable backing, however, La Follette lost to Wright 38% to 33%.
She currently splits her time between Newport Beach and Northern California.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and a member of the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
party.
Early career
La Follette began her political career in the '60s as an aide to then Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty. In 1969 she won a seat on the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. She was a candidate for state controller in 1974 but lost in the Republican primary. In 1975 she was defeated for reelection to the college board by Ira ReinerIra Reiner
Ira Kenneth Reiner is an American politician. He was the Los Angeles City Controller from 1977 to 1981, and was the Los Angeles City Attorney from 1981 to 1984, both times being succeeded by James Hahn. He is the Los Angeles County District Attorney from 1984 to 1992...
, who would later become Los Angeles District Attorney.
She joined the Los Angeles-based staff of newly elected U.S. Senator SI Hayakawa in 1977 and worked for him until 1980, when she ran for the legislature.
State Assembly
La Follette won election to the 38th district in the California State AssemblyCalifornia State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, succeeding fellow Republican Paul Priolo. After the 1981 reapportionment, her district shifted entirely into the San Fernando Valley, forcing her to move from her Malibu home to Northidge.
Early in her first term she authored legislation that would have broken up the Los Angeles Unified School District creating an independent district for the San Fernando Valley. Though the legislation was unsuccessful, the public debate it ignited (on whether the LA district is too large) lasts to this day.
In 1986 La Follette made national headlines when she called for drug tests for California legislators. She also pushed for legislation to enact the death peanlty for drug kingpins.
She left the Assembly in 1990 to care for her ailing husband Jack La Follette and endorsed her top aide, 24 year old Rob Wilcox for the Republican nomination. Wilcox narrowly lost to realtor Paula Boland
Paula Boland
Paula L. Boland is an American politician from California and a member of the Republican party.-State Assembly:A realtor, Boland won election to the Granada Hills-based 38th district in the California State Assembly in 1990, succeeding Republican Marion W. La Follette...
in the primary.
Post Legislature
La Follette moved to Newport Beach where her two sons lived. Jack La Follette died in 1991 and she returned to public life in 1992, moving to Thousand Oaks to run for state senate.State Senate race
The 19th State Senate District was being vacated by GOP stalwart Ed DavisEdward M. Davis
Edward Michael Davis was the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from , and later a California State Senator from and an unsuccessful Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 1986...
, who had decided to retire. Davis, a former Los Angeles Police Chief, didn't much like the declared candidate for the seat, state assemblywoman Cathie Wright
Cathie Wright
Cathie M. Wright is an American politician from California and a member of the Republican party.-Early career:...
(whom he dubbed "The peroxide princess of Simi Valley"), so he openly recruited La Follette to run in the GOP primary (a decision Wright said was "out of spite"). Despites Davis' considerable backing, however, La Follette lost to Wright 38% to 33%.
Later years
After her election loss, La Follette moved back to Newport Beach. She was subsequently appointed to the Orange County Fair Board by Governor Pete Wilson. In the mid '90s La Follette ran an inn in Downeyville, California, which she crediting with saving her life following her husband Jack's death.She currently splits her time between Newport Beach and Northern California.