Photo Credit: Akilah Graham

On October 22, 2025, over 60 USC Price School of Public Policy undergraduate students had the opportunity to meet California State Senator Laura Richardson and engage in a discussion about her career in politics across the local, city, state, and federal levels. Dr. Marlon Boarnet, Professor of Public Policy at USC, led the discussion with Senator Richardson. Discussion topics included career advice for students, California’s affordability issue, and the 2025 Pacific Palisades fire.

Senator Richardson began her political career as a legislative staffer before being elected to the Long Beach City Council in 2000. In 2006, Richardson was elected to the California State Assembly and one year later, in 2007, elected to Congress, where she represented the residents of the 37th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. In November of 2024, Richardson was elected to represent California’s 35th Senate District, which encompasses parts of Los Angeles County such as Compton, Gardena, and San Pedro.

Senator Richardson’s expansive involvement with various committees and caucuses—such as the Senate Committee on Transportation and the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement—served as a point of interest for students. Richardson expanded on her work on several California Senate Bills, including SB 34, and spoke about the unique challenges that come with representing a district that contains an economic powerhouse such as the San Pedro Bay ports.

Senator Richardson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA and her Master’s of Business Administration from USC.