John Briggs (politician)
| John Briggs | |
|---|---|
| California State Senator, 35th District | |
|
In office 1977–1981 |
|
| Preceded by | James Edward Whetmore |
| Succeeded by | John F. Seymour |
| California State Assemblyman, 69th District | |
|
In office 1975–1977 |
|
| Preceded by | Kenneth Cory |
| Succeeded by | William E. Dannemeyer |
| California State Assemblyman, 35th District | |
|
In office 1967–1975 |
|
| Preceded by | Gordon W. Duffy |
| Succeeded by | Gary K. Hart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
March 8, 1930 Mitchell, South Dakota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Carmen Nicasio Briggs |
| Profession | Politician, United States Air Force Pilot |
John V. Briggs (born March 8, 1930) is a retired California state politician who served in the California State Assembly and the California State Senate. He is perhaps best known for sponsoring Proposition 6 in 1978, also known as the Briggs Initiative, a failed measure which attempted to remove all gay or lesbian school employees or their supporters from their jobs.
Briggs was born in Mitchell, South Dakota in 1930, and moved to southern California in 1935, where he was raised by his single mother. He attended high school and college in southern California and later served in the United States Air Force (1947–51), seeing action in the Korean Theater. After his stint in the Air Force, Briggs served in the United States Naval Reserve. Near the end of his military service, Briggs met his future wife, Carmen Nicasio, at a USO dance. Together, they had three children and currently have eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
After his military service, Briggs started a successful insurance brokerage. In June 1973 (during his fourth term as Assemblyman), Briggs was selected by his Alma Mater, California State University, Long Beach, as Outstanding Alumnus.
Throughout the years, Briggs has remained active in a variety of community groups including the Jaycees, the Rotary Club, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Briggs' political career began as an outgrowth of his participation in the Jaycees. He served as a local Jaycee president and California State Director as well as President of the Senior Chamber of Commerce. He also served as President of the Walter Knott Young Republican Club. In 1962 and 1964, Briggs ran unsuccessfully as the Republican nominee for the California State Assembly in the 69th District (which includes parts of Orange County). He was finally elected two years later in the 35th District (which included northern Orange County and neighboring parts of San Bernardino County). Re-elected three times in this district, Briggs went on to successfully compete in the 69th District in the 1974 election.
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