Evelle J. Younger
Encyclopedia
Evelle Jansen Younger was an American
politician
. He was California Attorney General
from 1971 to 1979. Prior to that, he was Los Angeles County District Attorney
from 1964 to 1971. In 1978, he ran for Governor of California
, but lost to incumbent Jerry Brown
. Younger was a member of the Republican Party
. Though he was defeated for governor, Younger's ticket-mate, Mike Curb
, won the office of lieutenant governor
.
One of Younger's contributions as Attorney General was to the development of the California Environmental Quality Act
. Younger advocated for a broad interpretation of its applicability, filing a brief in the landmark case Friends of Mammoth v. Board of Supervisors (1972). The ruling on the case, which included language drawing upon Younger's brief, transformed CEQA from a mild and insignificant statement of policy to a pervasive and transformative regulatory measure by defining "project" to include all private activities requiring public permits. Younger also helped draft legislation that refined and expanded CEQA.
In the 1978 Republican primary
, Younger led the balloting with 1,008,087 (40 percent). Former Los Angeles Police Chief
Ed Davis
trailed with 738,741 (29.3 percent). Finishing third and fourth were State Senator
Ken Maddy of Fresno
with 484,583 (19.2 percent) and San Diego
Mayor Pete Wilson
(who would be elected Governor in 1990 and reelected over Jerry Brown's sister, Kathleen
, in 1994), who drew 230,146 ballots (9.1 percent).
Younger served in the United States Army
during World War II
and then became an FBI
agent. He was a municipal judge
in California from 1953 to 1958 and a superior court judge in California from 1958–1964, when he became district attorney of Los Angeles County. He died in 1989, and was interred in the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
Reference:
1 E. Clement Shute, “CEQA Turns Twenty-One.” Land Use Forum 2:2 (1993), 95-98.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was California Attorney General
California Attorney General
The California Attorney General is the State Attorney General of California. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced" The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.The...
from 1971 to 1979. Prior to that, he was Los Angeles County District Attorney
Los Angeles County District Attorney
The District Attorney of Los Angeles County prosecutes felony and misdemeanor crimes that occur within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County, California....
from 1964 to 1971. In 1978, he ran for Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
, but lost to incumbent Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
. Younger was a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. Though he was defeated for governor, Younger's ticket-mate, Mike Curb
Mike Curb
Michael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
, won the office of lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of California
The Lieutenant Governor of California is a statewide constitutional officer elected separately from the Governor who serves as the "vice-executive" of California. The Lieutenant Governor of California is elected to serve a four year term and can serve a maximum of two terms...
.
One of Younger's contributions as Attorney General was to the development of the California Environmental Quality Act
California Environmental Quality Act
The California Environmental Quality Act is a California statute passed in 1970, shortly after the United States federal government passed the National Environmental Policy Act , to institute a statewide policy of environmental protection...
. Younger advocated for a broad interpretation of its applicability, filing a brief in the landmark case Friends of Mammoth v. Board of Supervisors (1972). The ruling on the case, which included language drawing upon Younger's brief, transformed CEQA from a mild and insignificant statement of policy to a pervasive and transformative regulatory measure by defining "project" to include all private activities requiring public permits. Younger also helped draft legislation that refined and expanded CEQA.
In the 1978 Republican primary
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
, Younger led the balloting with 1,008,087 (40 percent). Former Los Angeles Police Chief
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the police department of the city of Los Angeles, California. With just under 10,000 officers and more than 3,000 civilian staff, covering an area of with a population of more than 4.1 million people, it is the third largest local law enforcement agency in...
Ed Davis
Edward M. Davis
Edward Michael Davis was the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from , and later a California State Senator from and an unsuccessful Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 1986...
trailed with 738,741 (29.3 percent). Finishing third and fourth were State Senator
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
Ken Maddy of Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
with 484,583 (19.2 percent) and San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
Mayor Pete Wilson
Pete Wilson
Peter Barton "Pete" Wilson is an American politician from California. Wilson, a Republican, served as the 36th Governor of California , the culmination of more than three decades in the public arena that included eight years as a United States Senator , eleven years as Mayor of San Diego and...
(who would be elected Governor in 1990 and reelected over Jerry Brown's sister, Kathleen
Kathleen Brown
Kathleen Lynn Brown is a Democratic politician from California. She is the youngest of four children of former Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown and is the sister of current California Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
, in 1994), who drew 230,146 ballots (9.1 percent).
Younger served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and then became an FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
agent. He was a municipal judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
in California from 1953 to 1958 and a superior court judge in California from 1958–1964, when he became district attorney of Los Angeles County. He died in 1989, and was interred in the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
External links
Reference:
1 E. Clement Shute, “CEQA Turns Twenty-One.” Land Use Forum 2:2 (1993), 95-98.