Representative Daniel Hamburg

Daniel Hamburg (born October 6, 1948) is an American politician from Northern California who served as a Representative from California in the United States Congress from January 3, 1993, to January 3, 1995. Elected as a member of the Democratic Party in 1992, he served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives and later became a prominent figure in the Green Party, including running as its candidate for governor of California in 1998. Over several decades, he has been active in local, state, and national politics, with a particular focus on Mendocino County and progressive political causes.

Hamburg pursued his higher education at Stanford University, from which he graduated before beginning his career in Northern California. After completing his studies, he settled in Mendocino County, California, where he became involved in education and local civic affairs. In the city of Ukiah, he founded an alternative school, reflecting an early interest in innovative educational approaches and community-based initiatives.

Hamburg’s first bid for elected office came in 1976, when he ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Ukiah City Council. Despite this initial defeat, he remained active in Democratic Party politics and in local public service. He served for several years on the Ukiah planning commission, gaining experience in land use, development, and local governance. His growing profile in county affairs led to his election to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in 1980. He served a four-year term on the Board of Supervisors from 1981 to 1985, participating in county-level policymaking and administration during a period of economic and environmental change in Northern California.

In 1992, Hamburg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat from California, taking office on January 3, 1993. His term in Congress, which lasted until January 3, 1995, coincided with a significant period in American political history, including the early years of the Clinton administration and debates over economic policy, health care, and environmental regulation. As a member of the House of Representatives, Hamburg contributed to the legislative process, participated in committee work, and represented the interests of his Northern California constituents. He served one term in office, after which his congressional service concluded.

Following his tenure in Congress, Hamburg increasingly aligned himself with the Green Party, reflecting his long-standing interest in environmental issues and progressive politics. In 1998, he was the Green Party’s candidate for governor of California, bringing greater visibility to the party’s platform on ecological sustainability, social justice, and grassroots democracy. Although he was not elected, his candidacy helped solidify his role as a leading Green Party figure in the state. He has remained active in the Green Party in subsequent years, participating in its organizational and advocacy efforts.

Hamburg also returned to local government in Mendocino County. Building on his earlier service in the 1980s, he was elected again to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors in 2010 and reelected in 2014. He served two additional terms on the Board from 2011 through 2018, representing his district in matters of county governance, budgeting, land use, and social services. Through these later terms, he continued to influence local policy and maintain a prominent role in Northern California public life. As of the end of his service in 2018, he remained an active participant in Green Party politics and regional civic affairs.