Willie Brown (politician)

Willie Lewis Brown, Jr. (born March 20, 1934 in Mineola, Texas) is an American political figure who served over 30 years in the California legislature, after which he became the first African American mayor of San Francisco. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Related Topics:
March 20 - 1934 - Mineola, Texas - American - California - African American - San Francisco - Democratic Party

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Brown served as mayor from January 8, 1996, after defeating incumbent Frank Jordan, until January 8, 2004, when he was succeeded by Gavin Newsom. He was previously a member of the California State Assembly from 1964-95, and was Speaker of the Assembly from 1981-95. In 1995 he lost control of the Assembly to Republicans led by Curt Pringle, but he soon re-gained control by making a deal with Republican defectors, Doris Allen and Brian Setencich, both of whom were elected by the Democratic minority. During their tenures, he effectively served as Speaker. He graduated from San Francisco State University and from the Hastings College of the Law.

Related Topics:
January 8 - 1996 - Frank Jordan - 2004 - Gavin Newsom - California State Assembly - 1964 - 95 - 1981 - Republicans - Curt Pringle - Doris Allen - Brian Setencich - San Francisco State University - Hastings College of the Law

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Brown's long service in the Assembly, coupled with that body's tenure system for leadership appointments, gave Brown almost complete control over the California Legislature as the Assembly Speaker. Brown was extremely popular in his home of San Francisco, though unpopular in the rest of the state, and he wielded great control over legislative affairs and political appointments, making his removal from his position as Speaker politically difficult. Partially to remove Brown from his leadership position, Californians passed a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of the State Legislature. After Brown left office due to the term limits, the Assembly restructured their rules, giving most of the powers formerly held by the Speaker to a leadership committee made up of senior members of both parties.

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Brown was so well known as the consummate politician and for his flamboyant style that when an actor playing a party politician in 1991's The Godfather Part III didn't understand director Francis Ford Coppola's instruction to model his character after Brown, Coppola fired the actor and hired Brown himself for the role. Brown later appeared in 2000's Just One Night as a judge. He has also played himself in two Disney films, George of the Jungle and The Princess Diaries.

Related Topics:
The Godfather Part III - Francis Ford Coppola - Just One Night - Disney - George of the Jungle - The Princess Diaries

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Brown is a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

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