Sydney Kamlager-Dove Bio
Sydney Kai Kamlager-Dove (born July 20, 1972) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for California’s 37th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented the 30th district in the California State Senate and served in the California State Assembly for the 54th district. Before entering elected office, she worked in public affairs and the nonprofit sector, and she has been a trustee of the Los Angeles Community College District.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kamlager-Dove built her career in California after earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in arts management from Carnegie Mellon University. Her mother is actress Cheryl Lynn Bruce and her stepfather is artist Kerry James Marshall. She has become a leading voice on racial equity, criminal justice reform, and social justice issues at both the state and federal levels.
Early Life and Background
Sydney Kamlager-Dove was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 20, 1972. She is the daughter of actress Cheryl Lynn Bruce, whose work in theater and film helped shape her early exposure to storytelling and public performance. Her stepfather is Kerry James Marshall, a celebrated artist known for his large-scale paintings that center Black American life. Growing up in a household connected to the arts gave Kamlager-Dove a deep appreciation for culture and creative expression.
After completing high school, Kamlager-Dove moved to California to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science, a degree that sparked her interest in public policy and community advocacy. While at USC, she became a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, an organization rooted in service and scholarship. She went on to pursue graduate studies at Carnegie Mellon University, where she received a Master of Arts in arts management from the Heinz College, blending her interest in politics with her passion for the arts.
Path to US Politics
Before entering politics, Kamlager-Dove worked in the nonprofit and public arts sectors. In 1996, she served as the spokesperson for the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) in Venice, California. A year later, she became the organization’s public art director during the restoration of the Venice graffiti pit. After leaving SPARC, she worked as an assistant to actor Delroy Lindo and later served as a public affairs director for the nonprofit child care corporation Crystal Stairs, then headed by Holly Mitchell.
These early roles gave her hands-on experience in communications, advocacy, and community organizing. In 2010, she worked on the campaign to elect Holly Mitchell to the California State Assembly and then became her district director after Mitchell’s victory. In 2015, she ran for Seat 3 of the board of trustees for the Los Angeles Community College District, winning the election on March 3, 2015, with a 42% plurality. She also served on the board of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, deepening her ties to civic and reproductive rights advocacy.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove Career
Early Career (2018)
Kamlager-Dove’s first foray into elected office came in 2018. After State Assembly member Sebastian Ridley-Thomas announced his resignation on December 27, 2017, she entered the race to serve the remainder of his term. On April 3, 2018, she won the special election to represent California’s 54th State Assembly district, beginning her formal career in elected politics.
During her time in the Assembly, she served on the Public Safety, Arts and Entertainment, Communications and Conveyance, Insurance, and Rules committees. She chaired the Select Committee on Incarcerated Women and led the legislature’s Los Angeles County Delegation. In 2020, she was appointed by the Speaker of the California State Assembly to serve on the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code.
California State Assembly Breakthrough (2018–2021)
In the California State Assembly, Kamlager-Dove became a strong advocate for racial equity, access, and social justice. She was vocal about restoring voting rights to parolees, strengthening standards for police use of force, and stopping the NCAA from preventing student athletes from receiving payment in connection with the use of their name, image, or likeness. In 2019, she co-authored SB 188, the CROWN Act, which prohibits employers from enforcing policies surrounding race-neutral grooming or discriminating against people wearing natural or protective hairstyles.
She also sponsored several notable bills during this period. AB 987 was signed into law, supporting the construction of a new arena for the Los Angeles Clippers. She sponsored AB 241 and AB 242, which mandated the incorporation of implicit bias training into continued education for healthcare professionals, lawyers, and judges. She also sponsored AB 1254, California’s first hunting ban in decades, ending trophy hunting of bobcats until January 1, 2025, except under specified circumstances.
California State Senate Era (2021–2023)
On November 10, 2020, Kamlager-Dove announced her candidacy for the California State Senate to succeed Holly Mitchell, who had been elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. On March 2, 2021, she was elected with 67.67% of the vote, representing the 30th district. Her victory marked a steady rise from local advocacy to statewide office.
During her two years in the State Senate, she continued her focus on equity and justice, building on her legislative record from the Assembly. Her strong margin of victory reflected broad support across her district and helped position her for a run for federal office.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2023–Present)
In November 2022, Kamlager-Dove was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 37th congressional district, replacing Karen Bass, who had successfully run for mayor of Los Angeles. She took office in 2023, bringing her years of state-level experience to Washington, D.C. As a member of the Democratic Party, she has continued her advocacy on issues including criminal justice reform, healthcare equity, and education.
On April 1, 2025, Kamlager-Dove publicly accused journalist Matt Taibbi of being a serial sexual harasser during a hearing on a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On April 3, 2025, Taibbi announced a $10 million libel suit against her. She serves on committee assignments for the 118th Congress.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Kamlager-Dove’s career was co-authoring the CROWN Act in 2019, a law that has been adopted beyond California and has shaped national conversations about hair discrimination. Her election to the U.S. House in 2022 also stood out as a defining moment, marking her transition from state to federal office.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove Career Wins
Sydney Kamlager-Dove has built a record of electoral wins and legislative accomplishments at the local, state, and federal levels. From her early special election victory in 2018 to her commanding win in the California State Senate in 2021, she has consistently earned strong support from her constituents.
California State Assembly Highlights
Kamlager-Dove won the April 3, 2018, special election for California’s 54th State Assembly district with a strong showing in a competitive race. She went on to author and co-author major legislation, including the CROWN Act, which became one of the most recognized laws of her early career.
Other Wins & Achievements
In 2015, she won Seat 3 of the board of trustees for the Los Angeles Community College District, defeating three other candidates with a 42% plurality. In 2021, she was elected to the California State Senate with 67.67% of the vote, and in 2022, she won election to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove Family
Family Background and Arts Lineage
Sydney Kamlager-Dove was born into a family with deep ties to the arts and culture. Her mother, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, is an accomplished actress whose career in theater and film has been widely recognized. Her stepfather, Kerry James Marshall, is a renowned artist celebrated for his paintings that depict the Black American experience.
Personal Life
Sydney Kamlager-Dove married Austin Dove in 2006. The couple has built their life together in California, where Kamlager-Dove has pursued her career in public service. Her family background in the arts continues to shape her appreciation for culture and creative expression in her political work.