Lockyer, 72, has held elective public office since 1968, when voters made him a member of the San Leandro Unified School District board. He served on the board until 1973. In 1973, Lockyer won a special election to represent the 14th Assembly District, succeeding his boss and mentor, Bob Crown, after Crown's death in a tragic accident. Lockyer served 25 years in the Legislature, from 1973-1998.
He moved from the Assembly to the Senate in 1982, when he won election to represent the upper house's 10th District. Lockyer capped his legislative career with a tenure as President Pro Tem of the Senate from 1994-1998.
"It's tough to leave a career I have loved. It's been an exciting, fulfilling and rewarding 45 years. I've never felt anything but honored and privileged to serve my community and this state. And I cherish the people I've worked with and the friends I've made along the way. But it's time to make the break and explore other opportunities. I don't have any definite plans right now, other than to do my job as Treasurer. But I look forward to starting a new phase of my life," said Lockyer.
By the time he retires, Lockyer will have served 16 years as a statewide constitutional officer – eight years as Attorney General (1998-2006) and eight more as State Treasurer (2006-2014). Lockyer's involvement in politics preceded his election to the San Leandro school board. He founded the UC Berkeley Student Democrats in 1960, and started a six-year stint as chairman of the Alameda County Democratic Party Central Committee in 1967.
