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Headshot of Henry Stern

Henry Stern

Democrat, State Senate
District 27, Sherman Oaks
Time in office:
  • Senate: 2016-present

News coverage of Henry Stern

Bio

Henry Stern, 43, is an environmental attorney who was the first millennial elected to the state Senate. The son of actor Daniel Stern, he has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a law degree from UC Berkeley. Stern was a climate attorney for Democratic state Sen. Fran Pavley, U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman and worked for a law firm specializing in climate change, energy and environmental law. In the Senate, he’s one of the most outspoken advocates for green energy, climate change policies and has sought to reduce the state’s wildfire risks. He and his wife have two children. 

Leader Badges

Environment Badge

Ideology

Left

Moderate

Right

Bill Activity

0

Of 27 bills:
9 Passed
9 Failed
9 Pending

For this session year, this legislator initiated 27 bills: 9 passed, 9 failed, and 9 are currently pending.

Alignment Meter

See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

xx%votes: xx

Financials

This feature tracks three sources of money intended to help a candidate win election: 1-Money given directly to a candidate’s committee, 2-Money given to an Independent Expenditure Committee, 3-Money given to a political party. (NOTE: Senators are elected every four years. Twenty of the 40 Senators are on the ballot in even-numbered years, so Senators may do little or no fundraising in the first two-year session of their Senate term).

Election

This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

Agriculture

$12.5K

Candidate Contributions

$1.5K

Communications & Electronics

$64.0K

Construction

$24.6K

Energy & Natural Resources

$38.8K

Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

$110.1K

General Business

$34.6K

Government Agencies/Education/Other

$101.8K

Health

$29.3K

Ideology/Single Issue

$26.6K

Labor

$204.4K

Lawyers & Lobbyists

$41.1K

Party

$300.0

Transportation

$20.0K

Uncoded

$346.8K

Unitemized Contributions

$126.6K

Candidate Donations

Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $5,500 for the primary and for the general elections.

Total
$1.2M

150.0% higher than the average legislators

Party Committees

This is independent expenditure money spent by political parties for advertising, grassroots mobilization or other activities targeting this candidate. Separately, political parties can give money directly to a candidate's campaign committee. Digital Democracy tallies that money under "candidate donations".

Total
$2.6K

412.0% higher than the average legislators

Independent Expenditures

Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity targeting a candidates run for office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

Total
$385.0

100.0% lower than the average legislators

Grand Total for Elections

$1.2M

110.0% higher than the average legislators

This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.


Influence

There are three categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The three categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel, 3-Behests.

Giver
Value
Date
Description
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Fou$335Jan 28, 2021Solomon's Deli-Lunch
Valley Industry and Commerce Association$125Nov 18, 2021Dinner
Senator Kamlager$120Sep 30, 2021Flowers & Teddy Bear
Re-elect Senator Atkins 2020$81Feb 23, 2021Member Jacket
Re-Elect Senator Atkins 2020$54Jan 29, 2021Gift Bag
California Jewish Legislative Caucus Leadership Fou$23.29Nov 5, 2021Solomon's Deli-Lunch

Gifts

Legislators are not allowed to accept gifts of more than $10 per month from registered lobbyists. Gifts from any other single source are limited to $590 in a calendar year.

Gift Received Rating
#38/120

This legislator is ranked 38th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.

Committees

Most of the policy work in the state Capitol is done in “Standing” committees. Legislators also work on budget subcommittees. There are also “Special” and “Select” committees with a more narrow topic focus. And there are “Joint” committees with members from the Senate and Assembly.

Hearings

Featured Comments

Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

Preview image for SB 5004MIN
Sep 12, 2025

SB 500

Energy: usage data.

Preview image for SB 6552MIN
Sep 11, 2025

SB 655

Dwelling units: indoor temperature.

Preview image for SB 7712MIN
Sep 11, 2025

SB 771

Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Preview image for SB 5003MIN
Sep 11, 2025

SB 500

Energy: usage data.

Preview image for SB 8203MIN
Sep 11, 2025

SB 820

Inmates: mental health.

Preview image for SB 5821MIN
Sep 10, 2025

SB 582

Health and care facilities: licensing during emergencies or disasters.

Preview image for SB 4991MIN
Sep 10, 2025

SB 499

Residential projects: fees and charges.

Preview image for SB 65521MIN
Jul 16, 2025

SB 655

Dwelling units: indoor temperature.

Preview image for SB 4535MIN
Jul 16, 2025

SB 453

Microgrid incentive program.

Preview image for SB 61427MIN
Jul 14, 2025

SB 614

Public resources: transportation of carbon dioxide.

Preview image for SB 77118MIN
Jul 8, 2025

SB 771

Personal rights: liability: social media platforms.

Preview image for SB 6134MIN
Jul 7, 2025

SB 613

Methane emissions: petroleum and natural gas producing low methane emissions.

View All Hearings

District

The maps and information about this district reflect the boundaries when this Senator was last elected in 2020. Since then legislative districts have been redrawn according to the latest US Census. This district will change after the 2024 election.

District 27 is a Safe Democratic District
Democratic Party candidate has a very high likelihood of winning in an election

Previous Election (2024):

Henry Stern
59.5%
WON
Lucie Volotzky
40.5%

Party Registration

Census Data

Median age010203040

Median age