

María Elena Durazo
- Senate: 2018-present
News coverage of María Elena Durazo
Bio
María Elena Durazo, 71, is a longtime labor activist. She’s a graduate of St. Mary’s College, where she was part of the Chicano Movement. She began organizing for the textile workers union as she worked toward a law degree at People’s College of Law. She was the executive vice president of UNITE-HERE International and the first woman Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Durazo was the vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and national co-chair of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. She’s a widow of the late union leader Miguel Contreras. She has two children.
Leader Badges
Ideology
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Bill Activity
0
Of 3 bills:For this session year, this legislator initiated 3 bills: None passed, None failed, and 3 are currently pending.
Alignment Meter
See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.
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).
No last session data found.
No last session data found.
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 |
---|---|---|---|
Women in California Leadership | $172.89 | Jun 22, 2021 | Dinner |
California Armenian Legislative Caucus | $106.2 | Aug 27, 2021 | Fleece Jacket |
Women in California Leadership | $100 | Sep 27, 2021 | Flowers |
Sen., Steven Bradford | $85 | Aug 19, 2021 | Gardena Jazz Festival |
Re-Elect Sen. Atkins 2020 | $80.71 | Feb 23, 2021 | Jacket |
California Armenian Legislative Caucus | $68.12 | May 27, 2021 | Amb. Baibourtian Reception |
Castulo de la Rocha | $65 | Nov 6, 2021 | Dinner |
California Tribal Business Alliance | $53.22 | Jul 14, 2021 | Food & Beverage |
Becker for Senate 2024 | $43.4 | Jan 19, 2021 | Cocktail Kit |
Re-Elect Sen. Atkins 2020 | $20.22 | May 12, 2021 | Breakfast |
Personal 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
This legislator is ranked 34th highest for the amount of personal gifts received.
Policy
Bills Authored by María Elena Durazo
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.
Senate Standing Committee on Local Government
Senate Standing Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
Senate Standing Committee on Health
Senate Standing Committee on Housing
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Senate Standing Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement
Interest Group Rankings
Generally Aligned
Hearings
Featured Comments
Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

SB 1375
Workforce development: records: poverty-reducing labor standards: funds, programs, reporting, and analyses.
District

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Census Data
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