John T. Doolittle, Republican, was a California State Senator from 1981-1990. The John T. Doolittle Papers consist of 16 cubic feet of textual records and 10 audiocassette tapes reflecting Doolittle's activities during his ten-year Senate career.

John T. Doolittle, Republican, was a California State Senator from 1981-1990. Before holding elected office, Doolittle was an administrative assistant to Senator H.L. Richardson and practiced law. In 1980, Doolittle beat out the incumbent Al Rodda, a twenty-two year veteran of the Legislature, by accusing Rodda of being soft on crime. After the 1982 redistricting, Doolittle's district was dissolved by reapportionment. Doolittle then attempted to unseat Senator Leroy Greene, but lost. However, he still had two years left on his term so he remained in the Senate. In 1984, Doolittle successfully defeated independent incumbent Ray Johnson to the surprise of many at the Capitol. He was later fined for ethics violations because his campaign helped the Democratic candidate in that race, thereby siphoning off votes from independent Ray Johnson, which ultimately lead to a Doolittle victory. Doolittle remained the senator representing the First Senate District until his election to the United States House of Representatives in 1991. The First Senate District consisted of the counties of El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Siskiyou, Sutter, Trinity and Yuba, as well as portions of Sacramento and Yolo.Constitutional Amendments, 1981

16 cubic feet

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Collection is open for research.