Posted on 06/25/2005 9:37:52 PM PDT by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Mike Gordon, a former El Segundo mayor who was eyed as a future leader in Democratic circles, died at home Saturday due to complications from a brain tumor, his office said. He was 47.
Gordon, a freshman elected in November, spent little time in the Legislature after being diagnosed with the tumor in February when he went to the doctor feeling ill and exhausted. He was hospitalized Feb. 22 and had been in treatment since.
His death came as a surprise to staffers because his prognosis had been good.
While Gordon had undergone a procedure to relieve pressure on his brain, radiation treatment and physical therapy to help him walk and keep his balance, his office had released statements saying his doctors predicted a full recovery.
"It wasn't expected at this point," said spokeswoman Janelle Beland.
Friends, family and fellow politicians mourned the passing of Gordon, who had been involved in Democratic politics for three decades.
Former state Sen. Art Torres, chairman of the California Democratic Party, said he was deeply saddened by the death of his friend.
"He was a rising star in the Democratic Party and had so much more to contribute," Torres said.
Gordon got his start in politics at age 18, working voter registration drives for former Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy. He later served as a staffer to former Assemblyman Bruce Young, D-Downey.
In 1982, he became executive director of the California Democratic Party and served in that post for three years until he formed a polling, fundraising and research firm, Gordon and Schwenkmeyer Inc., with Kristin Schwenkmeyer.
He won a seat on the El Segundo City Council in 1996, and was elected mayor two years later. He was re-elected twice before stepping down in April 2004 to run for the Assembly.
He was appointed to chair the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs and was the Assembly's representative to the Little Hoover Commission, a government watchdog group.
Ted Lieu, a Torrance City Council member who ran Gordon's Assembly campaign, said he would be remembered for helping spare Los Angeles Air Force Base from the latest round of cuts announced last month by the Pentagon and for preventing the expansion of LAX, Los Angeles International Airport.
"He united about 120 cities and agencies against LAX expansion," Lieu said. "Because of him LAX has still not expanded."
Gordon was frustrated that he couldn't be in the Legislature to vote on several key bills, Beland said. Other lawmakers carried his measures through the Assembly, passing 15 of the 22 items he introduced on education, health care, public safety, veterans, and consumer protection. They now face votes in the state Senate.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will schedule a special election to fill Gordon's seat, but no date was immediately chosen. The governor said flags at the Capitol would be flown at half-staff to honor Gordon.
"Today California has lost a dedicated young leader whose contributions to our state and community will always be remembered," said Schwarzenegger, a Republican.
Gordon grew up in La Mirada and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton, in 1979.
He leaves his wife of 13 years, Denise, and four children, ages 12 to 20.
Funeral arrangements were still being made, but were expected to be scheduled the week of July 5th, his office said.
Beland, who knew Gordon about 10 years, cried as she spoke about the loss.
"Working for him and knowing him was a huge force for me personally," Beland said. "We all worked on his campaign and most of us on his staff have been friends with him and known him for many years."
ON THE NET
Assemblyman Mike Gordon: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a53/
Probably glioblastoma - one day you have a seizure, the next day an MRI confirms a brain tumor and within a few weeks it can be curtains. No time to get a harley and cruise up and down the coast.
Agreed. It's a brutal disease. Prayers for his family.
None of us ever know our tomorrows.
I was watching a ME/autopsy show yesterday, and the ME said something that stuck in my head. She said, no one I do an autopsy on this evening knew when they got up today, that they would end up here.
Last year at about 8 o clock at night my healthy husband asked me for a bowl of cereal. At 9:30 the doctor in the hospital was pronouncing him. That's how fast death can come. I remember sitting in the ER totally confused about it all, thinking this just can't be.
I think of this family, who just a couple of months ago got this terrible diagnosis of this relatively young man.
My heart goes out to them.
Much too young. RIP.
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