Mark DeSaulnier

Mark DeSaulnier
Born	Mark James DeSaulnier 31 3, 1952
Birthplace	Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district
Education	College of the Holy Cross (BA)
Children	2
Website	[[desaulnier.house.gov desaulnier.house.gov] Official site]

Mark James DeSaulnier (Template:IPAc-en; born March 31, 1952) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 10th congressional district since 2023, having previously represented the state's 11th congressional district from 2015 to 2023. The district encompasses most of Contra Costa County, a suburban area in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. A member of the Democratic Party since 2000, DeSaulnier was previously affiliated with the Republican Party. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, DeSaulnier built a lengthy career in California public service that took him from the Concord City Council to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, through the California State Legislature, and ultimately to the United States Congress. He currently serves as the Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee, a position he has held since January 2025. Throughout his career in the state legislature and Congress, DeSaulnier has focused on issues including transportation, education, labor, gun safety, and combating hunger in his district.

Early Life

Mark James DeSaulnier was born on March 31, 1952, in Lowell, Massachusetts. His father was Edward DeSaulnier, a figure in Massachusetts political and legal circles. DeSaulnier grew up in the New England region before eventually relocating to California, where he would build his political career.

Details about DeSaulnier's early childhood and family background beyond his father's identity remain limited in available public records. What is documented is that DeSaulnier settled in Contra Costa County, California, where he became involved in local civic life. Before entering politics, DeSaulnier worked in the restaurant and hotel industry, an experience that would later inform his legislative work on labor and workplace issues.

DeSaulnier's transition from the East Coast to the Bay Area placed him in a rapidly growing suburban region that was undergoing significant demographic and economic changes in the latter decades of the twentieth century. Contra Costa County, situated across the bay from San Francisco, was evolving from a primarily agricultural and industrial area into a major suburban center, and DeSaulnier became active in shaping its governance during this period of transformation.

Education

DeSaulnier attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, a Jesuit liberal arts institution, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. The College of the Holy Cross is one of the oldest Catholic colleges in the United States and is known for its emphasis on the liberal arts tradition. DeSaulnier's education there provided a foundation for his subsequent career in public service and politics.

Career

Concord City Council (1991–1994)

DeSaulnier began his career in elected office as a member of the Concord City Council, serving from 1991 to 1994. Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County and was, at the time, dealing with issues common to growing suburban communities in the Bay Area, including transportation infrastructure, land use planning, and economic development. DeSaulnier's service on the city council marked his entry into local government and established him as a public figure in the community.

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (1994–2006)

In 1994, DeSaulnier was elected to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, representing the 4th district. He succeeded Sunne McPeak in the position and served on the board for over twelve years, until December 4, 2006. He was succeeded on the board by Susan Bonilla.

During his tenure as county supervisor, DeSaulnier was involved in governance over a jurisdiction that included a diverse mix of suburban communities, from the affluent cities of the Lamorinda area to the growing communities of eastern Contra Costa County. The Board of Supervisors is the governing body for the unincorporated areas of the county and also oversees county-wide services, including public health, social services, and transportation planning.

It was during this period that DeSaulnier changed his party affiliation. Having been a member of the Republican Party, he switched to the Democratic Party in 2000. This shift reflected broader political realignment trends in the Bay Area, where the Republican Party's influence was declining as the region became increasingly Democratic-leaning.

California State Assembly (2006–2008)

In 2006, DeSaulnier won election to the California State Assembly, representing the 11th Assembly district. He succeeded Joe Canciamilla in the seat. DeSaulnier served in the Assembly from December 4, 2006, to November 30, 2008, a relatively brief tenure before he advanced to the state Senate.

During his time in the Assembly, DeSaulnier introduced legislation on a range of issues. Among his legislative efforts was Assembly Bill 2235, which addressed policy concerns relevant to his constituents. He also introduced Assembly Bill 1617 in February 2007, which underwent analysis and consideration by the full Assembly.

DeSaulnier was succeeded in the Assembly by Tom Torlakson, who had previously served in the state Senate seat that DeSaulnier would move into.

California State Senate (2008–2015)

DeSaulnier was elected to the California State Senate in 2008, representing the 7th Senate district. He succeeded Tom Torlakson, who had been elected as California's Superintendent of Public Instruction. DeSaulnier served in the state Senate from December 1, 2008, to January 2, 2015, when he departed to take his seat in the U.S. Congress. He was succeeded in the Senate by Steve Glazer.

During his tenure in the state Senate, DeSaulnier introduced legislation on multiple policy fronts. Among his notable legislative efforts was Senate Concurrent Resolution 3, which addressed matters of statewide concern.

Gun Safety Legislation

In 2012, DeSaulnier attracted statewide attention for his work on gun safety legislation. He authored a bill that would mandate the quick reporting of stolen guns, requiring gun owners to report the theft or loss of a firearm to law enforcement within a specified time period. The legislation was designed to help law enforcement track firearms used in crimes and to close a gap in California's gun laws that allowed stolen weapons to circulate without timely notification to authorities.

The proposed legislation generated debate, with gun rights organizations expressing opposition. The California Rifle and Pistol Association published analysis critical of the measure, arguing it placed undue burdens on lawful gun owners. The bill nonetheless reflected DeSaulnier's commitment to gun safety as a legislative priority, a theme he would carry forward into his congressional career.

U.S. House of Representatives (2015–present)

2014 Election

In January 2014, longtime Congressman George Miller, who had represented the 11th congressional district (and its predecessor districts) since 1975, announced his retirement from Congress. DeSaulnier quickly declared his candidacy for the open seat. The 11th district, encompassing most of Contra Costa County, was a safely Democratic seat, and the primary contest was the most competitive phase of the election. DeSaulnier won the general election in November 2014, succeeding Miller as the district's representative.

Tenure in Congress

DeSaulnier took office on January 3, 2015, and has served continuously since that date. He initially represented the 11th congressional district from 2015 to 2023. Following redistricting based on the 2020 Census, his constituency was renumbered as the 10th congressional district beginning with the 118th Congress in January 2023. The geographic area represented remained substantially similar, covering most of Contra Costa County in the East Bay.

In January 2025, DeSaulnier became the Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee, succeeding Susan Wild in the role. As Ranking Member, DeSaulnier serves as the senior Democratic member on the committee, which is responsible for overseeing the conduct of members of the House and investigating allegations of ethical violations.

Constituent Engagement

DeSaulnier has maintained an active schedule of town halls and constituent engagement events throughout his time in Congress. In early 2026, he announced a series of town halls across his district, including events in Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, and other East Bay communities.

He has also held specialized events for veterans, including a Veterans Town Hall and Resource Fair announced in February 2026.

Anti-Hunger Advocacy

DeSaulnier has been active on issues related to food insecurity. In February 2026, he announced that he had invited anti-hunger advocate and Walnut Creek resident Caitlin Sly as his guest to the State of the Union address, highlighting the issue of hunger in his district and across the country.

Youth and Education Initiatives

DeSaulnier has promoted STEM education and youth engagement through initiatives such as the Congressional App Challenge. In December 2025, he announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for his district, recognizing students Rushil Baindla, Imran Mirza, Nikhil Kalburgi, and Riddhish Saravanan for their work.

Electoral Challenges

DeSaulnier has faced periodic electoral challenges in his district. In February 2026, Katherine Piccinini of Oakley announced her third run for Congress in the 10th district, challenging DeSaulnier with a campaign theme of "Putting the People First." Despite such challenges, DeSaulnier has won reelection in each cycle since first being elected in 2014.

Personal Life

DeSaulnier has two children. He resides in the East Bay area of the San Francisco Bay Area, which he represents in Congress. Details about his personal life beyond his family and residence are limited in publicly available records.

DeSaulnier's party switch from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party in 2000 represented a significant personal political evolution. The change came at a time when the Bay Area's political landscape was shifting substantially, with the Republican Party losing ground in suburban areas that had previously been competitive.

His father, Edward DeSaulnier, was a notable figure, and Mark DeSaulnier's own political career has spanned more than three decades of public service at the local, county, state, and federal levels.

Recognition

DeSaulnier's career in public service spans more than thirty years, beginning with his election to the Concord City Council in 1991 and continuing through his current service in the U.S. Congress. His appointment as Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee in January 2025 represents one of the more prominent positions he has held in Congress, giving him a key role in overseeing the ethical conduct of House members.

His legislative work on gun safety in the California State Senate, particularly his bill mandating quick reporting of stolen firearms, brought him statewide recognition and established him as a figure in the gun safety policy debate in California.

At the local level, DeSaulnier's twelve years of service on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors made him one of the longer-serving members of that body and established his reputation as a figure in East Bay governance. His transition from county supervisor to state legislator to congressman followed a trajectory that allowed him to build expertise in transportation, education, and public health policy across multiple levels of government.

The Congressional App Challenge winners he has recognized in his district reflect his efforts to promote technological literacy and youth engagement in public life, an ongoing element of his congressional work.