Legendary Los Angeles Councilman Nate Holden Passes Away At 95, Helped Rebuild Crenshaw District
Nate Holden, a trailblazing figure in Los Angeles politics who fought tirelessly for civil rights, economic justice, and the revitalization of South Los Angeles, has died at 95.
A former aerospace design engineer who entered public life after facing racial barriers in his career, Holden served as a California State Senator and Los Angeles City Councilman, where he spent nearly two decades representing the 10th District. His legacy includes landmark legislation, passionate advocacy for underserved neighborhoods, and a consistent determination to channel city dollars into communities that had long been neglected, Pasadena Now reports.
Holden’s financial impact on the city is undeniable. After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, he spearheaded efforts to bring economic redevelopment to the devastated Crenshaw corridor. He helped lure in new businesses, pushed for infrastructure improvements, and lobbied for funding to support community rebuilding. The revitalization of Crenshaw was one of Holden’s most lasting achievements.
“He made sure that money flowed into the 10th District like never before,” Herb Wesson, Holden’s former chief of staff and a later City Council president, told The Los Angeles Times. “He understood how city government worked, and he worked it for his people.”
On the state level, Holden co-authored the Housing Financial Discrimination Act, aimed at eliminating redlining practices by banks and lenders. The law barred financial institutions from denying mortgages based on race, religion, or marital status — a major financial victory for Black and Brown communities long locked out of homeownership.
Despite a string of controversies — including campaign finance violations and sexual harassment lawsuits that cost the city $1.3 million in legal fees — Holden’s populist message and results-driven approach earned him deep loyalty in South L.A.
“He was a fighter,” said Mayor Karen Bass in a statement. “And he never forgot who he was fighting for.”
Nate Holden is survived by his sons, former Assemblyman Chris Holden and former L.A. County sheriff’s deputy Reginald Holden, and several grandchildren.
