{{short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Bob Huff | image = Senator Bob Huff.jpg | office = Minority Leader of the California Senate | term_start = January 5, 2012 | term_end = August 27, 2015 | predecessor = Bob Dutton | successor = Jean Fuller | office2 = California State Senate<br />Republican Caucus Chair | term_start2 = August 1, 2009 | term_end2 = January 5, 2012 | predecessor2 = George Runner | successor2 = Tom Harman | state_senate3 = California State | district3 = 29th | term_start3 = December 1, 2008 | term_end3 = November 30, 2016 | preceded3 = Bob Margett | succeeded3 = Josh Newman | office4 = California State Assembly<br />Republican Caucus Chair | term_start4 = December 8, 2006 | term_end4 = November 30, 2008 | predecessor4 = Greg Aghazarian | successor4 = Cameron Smyth | state_assembly5 = California | district5 = 60th | term_start5 = December 6, 2004 | term_end5 = November 30, 2008 | preceded5 = Bob Pacheco | succeeded5 = Curt Hagman | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|9|9}} | birth_place = Calexico, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Mei Mei | children = 4 | occupation = Agriculture businessman | alma_mater = Westmont College | website = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180221005602/http://bobhuff4congress.com/ Bob Huff for Congress]}} }}
'''Robert S. Huff''' (born September 9, 1953) is an American businessman and politician who was the California State Senate minority leader and Senate Republican leader from January 5, 2012, until August 27, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/09/am-alert-paul-ryan-hits-the-california-atm.html |title=Capitol Alert: AM Alert: Paul Ryan hits the California ATM |accessdate=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602201405/http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/09/am-alert-paul-ryan-hits-the-california-atm.html |archivedate=June 2, 2016 }}, posted Friday September 7, 2012, by Micaela Massimino, "... Sen. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, turns 59 on Sunday." Per WP:CALC we have 9 September 1953 as date of birth.</ref> He represented the Senate's 29th District, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.
==Early life== Born on September 9, 1953, in Calexico, California, Huff grew up on his family's farm near El Centro.<ref name=capw>{{cite news|last=Lau|first=Jessie|title=Senate GOP leader Bob Huff reaches out|url=http://capitolweekly.net/senate-gop-leader-bob-huff-reaches/|accessdate=November 28, 2013|newspaper=Capitol Weekly|date=August 14, 2013}}</ref> He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Westmont College,<ref name=westmont>{{cite web|title=75 years, 75 distinguished alumni|url=http://www.westmont.edu/anniversary/bios.html#Huff|publisher=Westmont College|accessdate=February 26, 2013}}</ref> and his business background is in grain handling and commodity wholesaling.<ref name="district29.cssrc.us">{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://district29.cssrc.us/content/biography|publisher=California State Senate Republican Caucus|accessdate=November 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name=lat>{{cite news|last=McGreevy|first=Patrick|title=State Sen. Bob Huff elected new GOP leader|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/01/state-senator-bob-huff-new-gop-leader.html|accessdate=November 26, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 4, 2012}}</ref>
==Political career==
=== Diamond Bar === Huff served on the Diamond Bar City Council, and was Mayor of the city in 1997 and 2001.<ref name="district29.cssrc.us"/> He was also involved in local transportation issues, serving on the Four Corners Transportation Policy Group,{{when|date=November 2013}} Foothill Transit,{{when|date=November 2013}} and the Alameda Corridor East Construction Authority.<ref name="district29.cssrc.us"/>
=== State Assembly === Huff was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, defeating Gail Pacheco, the wife of term-limited Bob Pacheco. The election was considered an upset.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sgvbj.com/2010/07/decision-makers-of-the-san-gabriel-valley-house-of-huff/|title=Decision Makers of The San Gabriel Valley – House of Huff|publisher=San Gabriel Valley Business Journal|date=July 14, 2010|accessdate=29 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203030341/http://www.sgvbj.com/2010/07/decision-makers-of-the-san-gabriel-valley-house-of-huff/|archive-date=3 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reelected in 2006, he was a member of the California State Assembly until 2008.
=== State Senate === Huff was elected to the California State Senate for the 29th district in 2008, succeeding the term-limited Bob Margett. In 2012, he was elected by the Republican Caucus to succeed the term-limited Bob Dutton as Senate Republican Leader.<ref name=lat/> After the 2012 California State Senate elections, Huff was re-elected Senate Republican Leader.<ref>{{cite web|last=McGreevy |first=Patrick |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/12/bob-huff-reelected-senate-republican-leader.html|title=Bob Huff reelected as California Senate Republican leader|work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 3, 2013 |accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref> Term limits prevented him from running for re-election in 2016.
Huff was a member of the Senate Education Committee and authored legislation affecting K-12 education. He is an advocate of charter schools,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=200520060AB740&search_keywords= |title=Bill Text – AB-740 Charter schools: funding |publisher=Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov |accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref> school choice, and standardized testing.<ref name="SB172">{{cite web|url=http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0151-0200/sb_172_bill_20110316_amended_sen_v98.html|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121213035926/http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0151-0200/sb_172_bill_20110316_amended_sen_v98.html|url-status=dead|title=SB 172 Senate Bill – AMENDED|date=December 13, 2012|archivedate=December 13, 2012|accessdate=May 13, 2018}}</ref> He supported SB 161,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://district29.cssrc.us/content/sb-161-signed-law-despite-union-opposition |title=SB 161 Signed into Law Despite Union Opposition | Bob Huff |publisher=District29.cssrc.us |date=October 7, 2011 |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223258/http://district29.cssrc.us/content/sb-161-signed-law-despite-union-opposition |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which allows trained volunteers to administer emergency medication to students with epilepsy who suffer a seizure at school. Huff introduced Senate Bill 1295,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_1251-1300/sb_1295_bill_20120329_amended_sen_v98.html |title=Bill Number: SB 1295 Amended Bill Text |publisher=Leginfo.legislature.ca.gov |date= March 29, 2012|accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref> a measure to approve the placement of commercial advertisements on the exterior of school-buses. This bill was rejected by the Senate Education Committee but was given an option to be re-introduced at a later time.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/04/california-senate-school-bus-advertising.html|title=Senate panel rejects bill on school-bus advertising|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 25, 2012 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref> He introduced Senate Bill 1116 with Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), which defined and regulated "heritage schools", private after-school programs that teach foreign language and culture and required them to register with the California Department of Education instead of being licensed as child day care centers by the California Department of Social Services (DSS)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://district29.cssrc.us/content/senator-huff-fights-sustain-heritage-schools |title=Senator Huff Fights to Sustain Heritage Schools |publisher=District29.cssrc.us |date=February 18, 2010 |accessdate=28 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230948/http://district29.cssrc.us/content/senator-huff-fights-sustain-heritage-schools |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>California Department of Education. [http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr11/yr11rel11.asp "State Schools Chief Torlakson Announces Deadline Extension for Heritage School Registration"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053714/http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr11/yr11rel11.asp |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Retrieved November 29, 2013.</ref> Huff opposed a plan that would have replaced the current testing system with new tests based on the Common Core learning goals. Because test scores would be unavailable during the new test's two-year trial period, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to impose financial penalties on the state. The alternative supported by Huff was to require the use of both the old and the new test during that period. The state Senate approved the bill.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blume |first=Howard |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-state-senate-approves-testing-20130910,0,6302993.story |title=State Senate approves student testing plan over federal objections |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 10, 2013 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref>
Huff cast a deciding vote in 2009 on a Senate rule waiver that allowed a measure on environmental exemptions favorable to one of Huff's donors, Majestic Realty.<ref name=lat2>{{cite news|last=Goldmacher|first=Shane|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2011-may-10-la-me-redevelopment-huff-20110510-story.html |title=Redevelopment agencies: Wife of state senator fighting to save redevelopment agencies works for redevelopment backer |work=Los Angeles Times|date=May 10, 2011 |access-date=28 November 2013}}</ref> This vote led to criticism, as Majestic was also a client of his wife's consulting business.<ref name=trib1>{{cite news|last=Wagner|first=James|url=http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20090829/lawmaker-wife-both-lend-support-to-majestics-nfl-stadium-project|title=Lawmaker, wife both lend support to Majestic's NFL stadium project |work=San Gabriel Valley Tribune|date=August 28, 2009 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref> In 2011, Huff opposed Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to abolish California's redevelopment agencies.<ref name=lat2 />
In a state government that as of 2012 is controlled by Democrats with super majorities in both houses,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-dec-02-la-me-cap-republicans-20121203-story.html |title=Keys to a California GOP comeback: Camaraderie and good ideas - latimes |website=Los Angeles Times |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030205705/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/02/local/la-me-cap-republicans-20121203 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 }}, "...for the first time in 80 years both houses will be dominated by supermajorities, enough heft for Democrats to pass any legislation without Republican support." The current California Governor Jerry Brown is also a member of the Democratic party.</ref> Huff has a reputation as a moderate Republican.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The ''Los Angeles Times'' opined that "Senate Republican leader Bob Huff of Diamond Bar was more pragmatic, given his party's weakened political position in Sacramento. Brown 'is the most conservative of the three leading Democrats in Sacramento,' Huff said."<ref>{{cite news|last=Willon |first=Phil |url=https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-brown-budget-20130615,0,7037615.story |title='Less liberal' is the new conservative in state Capitol |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=June 14, 2013 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref> Huff has worked with Brown on issues such as California's prison crisis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Megerian |first=Chris |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-jerry-brown-prison-plan-20130827,0,4459918.story |title=Jerry Brown, lawmakers to announce prison plans |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 27, 2013 |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref>
====Committee memberships==== Huff served on the Senate Education Committee and was the Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee. He also served as a member of the Joint Committee on Senate Rules, the Select Committees of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, California Job Creation and Retention, California's Horse Racing Industry, Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery and High-Speed Rail committees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://district29.cssrc.us/content/committees |title=Committees | Bob Huff |work=Ling Ling Chang |publisher=District29.cssrc.us |accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref>
Huff's sub-committee assignments included: Education: Sustainable School Facilities and Education: Policy Research.
===2016 Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors elections=== In 2016 Huff ran for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to represent the fifth district. In the election held June 7, Huff finished in third place in a field of 8 candidates, and did not make the runoff.<ref name="results June 2016">{{cite web |url=https://www.lavote.net/election-results#year=2016&election=980 |title=Los Angeles County Election Tuesday, June 7, 2000|publisher=Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters|accessdate=October 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Darrell Park's lead over Bob Huff grows again in 5th District race|url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2016/06/28/darrell-parks-lead-over-bob-huff-grows-again-in-5th-district-race/|date=June 28, 2016|publisher=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin}}</ref>
===2018 congressional election=== In 2018 Huff ran for the United States House of Representatives to represent California's 39th congressional district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-may-2018-dccc-drops-first-tv-ads-of-2018-1525740734-htmlstory.html|title=DCCC drops first TV ads of 2018, attacking Republicans running for Ed Royce seat|first=Christine|last=Mai-Duc|website=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=May 13, 2018}}</ref> In the election held June 5, Huff finished in sixth place in a field of 17 candidates, and did not make the runoff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/sov/2018-primary/sov/2018-complete-sov.pdf#page=98|title=Statewide Direct Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 5, 2018|publisher=Secretary of State of California|page=94}}</ref>
==Positions and affiliations== On education, Huff received an 83% rating from the California State University system in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/2065/rating/6272 |title=California State University Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232251/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/2065/rating/6272 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He received an 11% rating in 2012 from the California School Employees Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1537/rating/6626 |title=California School Employees Association Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202233909/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1537/rating/6626 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> On business and labor issues, in 2012 he was rated 100% by the California Chamber of Commerce<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1019/rating/6078 |title=California Chamber of Commerce Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232016/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1019/rating/6078 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and 12% by the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1594/rating/6714 |title=California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010132946/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1594/rating/6714 |archive-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He received a 100% rating from the California Pro-Life Council in 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1188/rating/7005 |title=California Pro-Life Council- Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216053730/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1188/rating/7005 |archive-date=16 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a 20% rating from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/224/rating/7004 |title=Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211074724/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/224/rating/7004 |archive-date=11 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> He received a 92% rating from the National Rifle Association of America in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/6568 |title=National Rifle Association Rating – Project Vote Smart |publisher=Votesmart.org |accessdate=29 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203090649/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/6568 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In addition, he has received the following ratings: <ref>Project VoteSmart. [https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/16575/robert-huff Robert 'Bob' S. Huff's Ratings and Endorsements] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102405/https://votesmart.org/candidate/evaluations/16575/robert-huff |date=March 4, 2016 }}. Retrieved November 27, 2013.</ref> {| |- ! style="width:300px;"| Interest group !! Rating !! Year |- | American Cancer Society, California Division || 53% || 2012 |- | American Conservative Union || 91% || 2012 |- | California Communities United Institute || 42% || 2011 |- | California Farm Bureau Federation || 100% || 2007 |- | California League of Conservation Voters || 5% || 2012 |- | California Park and Recreation Society || 75% || 2011–12 |- | California National Organization for Women || 8% || 2009 |- | California's Political Action Committee for Animals || 0% || 2011 |- | California Taxpayers Association || 100% || 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=2012 Legislative Voting Record |url=http://www.caltax.org/2012LegislativeVotingRecord.pdf |website=CalTax |publisher=California Taxpayers Association |access-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230400/http://www.caltax.org/2012LegislativeVotingRecord.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2013 |language=en-US |url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | Children's Advocacy Institute || 58% || 2011 |- | Congress of California Seniors || 37% || 2012 |- | Consumer Federation of California || 13% || 2012 |- | Drug Policy Forum of California (DPFCA) || 0% || 2012 |- | Republican Liberty Caucus of California || 67% || 2011 |}
In 2012, Huff raised $1,169,601 in campaign contributions. His largest donors came from the insurance, health professionals, and real estate sectors. The California Association of Realtors, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Medical Association, the California Building Industry Association, and the California Dental Association were his largest contributors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=137491 |title=Huff, Robert (Bob) |publisher=Follow The Money |accessdate=29 November 2013}}</ref>
==Recognition== Huff was recognized as 2011 Legislator of the Year by the League of California Cities for "efforts to protect local redevelopment agencies".<ref>{{cite press release |last=Spiegel |first=Eva |date=September 21, 2011 |title= League of California Cities Honors Senators Bob Huff and Rod Wright as its 2011 Legislators of the Year|url=http://www.cacities.org/UploadedFiles/LeagueInternet/52/52b5aeb0-a6fa-4a75-84e1-8efd8cada31c.pdf |publisher=League of California Cities |accessdate=November 29, 2013}}</ref> He was also recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies, California,<ref>{{cite press release |last=Neilly |first=Andrew |date=November 8, 2011 |title=Senator Bob Huff Named ACEC California's Legislator of the Year |url=http://www.gallen.com/releases/111109-ACEC.pdf |publisher=American Council of Engineering Companies, California |accessdate=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203001710/http://www.gallen.com/releases/111109-ACEC.pdf |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and as the 2011 Job Champion by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anaheimchamber.org/BusinessAdvocate/3-1/3-1.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=26 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117024213/http://www.anaheimchamber.org/BusinessAdvocate/3-1/3-1.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The California Epilepsy Foundation named three fellowships in honor of Huff at UCLA, USC and Children's Hospital Los Angeles for his work on behalf of students with epilepsy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Enquiry |first=Capitol |url=https://www.govbuddy.com/directory/press/CA/epilepsy-foundation-of-california-to-honor-state-senate-republican-leader-bob-huff-at-capitol-steps/26865/ |title=Epilepsy Foundation of California to Honor State Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff at Capitol Steps |publisher=Govbuddy.com |date=November 30, 2012 |accessdate=28 November 2013}}</ref> He was awarded the 2005 Local Distinguished Service Award in Transportation from the American Public Transit Association<ref name="district29.cssrc.us"/> and the Outstanding Community Leader of 2005 by the Old Baldy Council of the Boy Scouts of America.<ref name="district29.cssrc.us"/>
==Personal life== Huff and his wife, Mei Mei, reside in Diamond Bar, California. As of 2013, they have four children and six grandchildren.<ref name="district29.cssrc.us"/>
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=16575 | fec= | congress= }}<!-- Links formerly displayed via the {{CongLinks}} template: * [http://ballotpedia.org/Bob_Huff Biography] at Ballotpedia * [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/uniquecandidate.phtml?uc=3244 Financial information (state office)] at the National Institute for Money in State Politics * --> * [http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/6168 Join California Bob Huff] * {{Ballotpedia}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Huff, Bob}} Category:1953 births Category:American Protestants Category:Businesspeople in agriculture Category:California city council members Category:Republican Party California state senators Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the California State Assembly Category:People from Calexico, California Category:People from Diamond Bar, California Category:Westmont College alumni Category:Candidates in the 2018 United States House of Representatives elections Category:21st-century members of the California State Legislature