Rusty Hicks

Rusty Hicks
Birthplace	Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Trade unionist, political party leader
Known for	Chair of the California Democratic Party; former President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
Education	Austin College (BA) Loyola Marymount University (JD)

Rusty Hicks is an American trade unionist and Democratic Party leader who has served as Chair of the California Democratic Party since July 2019. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hicks built his career in the labor movement in Los Angeles, rising to become President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, one of the most influential labor organizations in the United States. His election to the state party chairmanship came during a period of turmoil following the resignation of his predecessor, Eric C. Bauman, and Hicks has since led the party through multiple election cycles. A Navy Reserve veteran and attorney by training, Hicks has sought to bridge the worlds of organized labor and electoral politics throughout his career. In 2024, he mounted an unsuccessful campaign for California's 2nd Assembly District, and in 2025, he was reelected as state party chair despite facing challenges over the direction of the California Democratic Party.

Early Life

Rusty Hicks was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Details regarding his childhood and family background in Texas are limited in publicly available sources. At some point in his early adult life, Hicks served in the United States Navy Reserve, a period of military service that would later feature in his public biography as a candidate and party leader.

Hicks eventually relocated to California, where he would pursue higher education and build a career in the labor movement and Democratic politics. His background growing up in Texas and his military service shaped his political identity as a candidate who could appeal to working-class and veteran constituencies within the Democratic Party.

Education

Hicks earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College, a private liberal arts college located in Sherman, Texas. He later obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Marymount University's Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. His legal education provided a foundation for his subsequent work in labor law and union organizing in the Los Angeles area.

Career

Labor Movement

Hicks rose to prominence in the labor movement in Los Angeles County, eventually becoming President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, an umbrella organization representing hundreds of local unions and hundreds of thousands of workers in the greater Los Angeles region. The LA Federation of Labor is considered one of the most politically influential labor bodies in the country, wielding significant power in local and state elections. In his role as president, Hicks oversaw the federation's political and organizing activities.

Hicks resigned from his position as President of the LA Federation of Labor as his role in state Democratic Party politics expanded.

Chair of the California Democratic Party

In June 2019, Hicks was elected Chair of the California Democratic Party, succeeding Acting Chair Alex Gallardo-Rooker, who had assumed the role on an interim basis following the resignation of Eric C. Bauman. Bauman had stepped down amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Hicks officially assumed the chairmanship on July 1, 2019. His election was seen as a stabilizing move for a party apparatus that had been rocked by scandal, and his labor background was viewed as an asset in maintaining the party's coalition of union members, progressive activists, and elected officials.

As chair, Hicks has presided over the California Democratic Party during a period of continued Democratic dominance in the state, with the party maintaining legislative supermajorities in both chambers of the California State Legislature. However, his tenure has also coincided with declining Democratic voter registration in the state and internal debates over the party's direction and its ability to connect with Latino and young voters.

In May 2025, Hicks was reelected as party chair at the California Democratic Party's reorganizing convention, defeating challenger Alan Vargas. His reelection came amid internal discussions about how the party could better resonate with younger and Latino voters, demographics where Democrats had experienced erosion.

In his capacity as chair, Hicks has spoken publicly about the party's role in opposing Republican candidates and policies. In 2025, following Democratic victories in key elections, Hicks appeared on CNN to discuss the results and the party's strategy. He has also emphasized the importance of the party's political infrastructure in advancing progressive policy goals, including expanding access to health care, raising wages, and protecting civil rights.

Looking ahead to the 2026 gubernatorial election, Hicks has stated the party and its delegates have a "collective commitment" to ensuring that a Republican is not elected Governor of California.

In February 2026, Hicks was involved in a public dispute at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco over a congressional endorsement for State Senator Mike McGuire. The clash drew attention to internal party tensions over endorsement procedures and the power dynamics between party leadership and elected officials.

2024 Assembly Campaign

In late 2023, following the announcement by Assemblymember Jim Wood that he would not seek reelection, Hicks entered the race for California's 2nd State Assembly district, which encompasses the North Coast region of California, including areas in Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, and other counties. Hicks received the endorsement of Assemblymember Wood.

His candidacy drew attention both because of his statewide role as party chair and because he was seen as bringing significant political resources and labor connections to a relatively low-profile legislative race. However, the dual role of serving as state party chair while running for a legislative seat drew criticism from some party delegates and local political figures, who questioned whether Hicks could fairly oversee party operations while simultaneously being a candidate. His candidacy was also described as bringing "statewide firepower" to the North Coast race.

The race featured a competitive field. In the March 2024 primary election, Chris Rogers, a Santa Rosa City Council member, finished ahead of Hicks and other candidates, securing a spot in the general election. Hicks conceded the race, and Rogers went on to compete in the November 2024 general election. The Los Angeles Times covered the dynamics of the race, noting the unusual circumstances of a state party chair competing in a legislative primary.

Despite his loss in the Assembly race, Hicks retained his position as Chair of the California Democratic Party and continued in that role through his successful reelection bid in 2025.

Personal Life

Hicks served in the United States Navy Reserve. He has been based in Los Angeles for much of his professional career, having moved to California to attend law school and subsequently building his career in the labor movement and Democratic politics in the region. Beyond these publicly documented facts, limited information about his personal life is available in published sources.

Recognition

As Chair of the California Democratic Party, Hicks holds one of the most prominent positions in Democratic Party politics at the state level. California, as the most populous state in the United States, gives its party chair a significant platform and influence within national Democratic politics. Hicks has been featured in interviews and coverage by major media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, CNN, CalMatters, the Sacramento Bee, and others in connection with his party leadership role.

His earlier tenure as President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor placed him at the helm of one of the largest and most politically active labor federations in the country, a position that carries substantial influence in Southern California politics.

In November 2025, following Democratic victories in key elections, Hicks appeared on CNN in a nationally televised interview to discuss the party's performance and strategy.