Alex Vassar Reveals Role in Stan Statham's 2017 California Division Book

Sacramento, California – Alex Vassar, a prominent figure known for his work with the California State Library and his expertise in legislative history, recently disclosed his contribution to Stan Statham's 2017 book, "Reclaim California," which explores the historical attempts to divide the state. Vassar's revelation came via a tweet, where he noted he had "somehow forgot until this evening that when Stan Statham wrote his book in 2017 about dividing California, I helped write part of it."

The tweet by Alex Vassar, a well-regarded authority on California's legislative past, brings to light a previously unpublicized collaboration on a significant work detailing the persistent efforts to partition the Golden State. Vassar's involvement underscores the depth of historical research and insight that went into Statham's publication.

Stan Statham, a former Republican Assemblyman who represented Chico from 1976 to 1994, authored "Reclaim California" to provide a modern perspective on the numerous historical proposals to divide California. Statham himself was a proponent of state division, having introduced Assembly Bill 3 in 1993, which sought to put an advisory question on the ballot regarding splitting California into three states. This bill passed the Assembly with a 68-0 vote but was ultimately halted in the Senate Rules Committee.

"Reclaim California" delves into the more than 200 attempts to divide California since its admission to the Union in 1850. These efforts have ranged from the Pico Act of 1859, which aimed to create a "Territory of Colorado" in Southern California, to more recent proposals such as the "Six Californias" initiative in 2013 and the "Cal 3" initiative in 2018, both championed by venture capitalist Tim Draper. The book highlights the recurring themes behind these movements, including issues of governance, representation, and the vast geographical and demographic differences within the state.

Vassar's background as the Communications Director for the California State Library since 2008 and his role as the author of "California in a Time of Excellence" further solidify his credentials in historical and legislative matters. His expertise likely contributed to the factual accuracy and historical depth of Statham's book, offering a comprehensive look at a persistent political debate within California. The ongoing interest in California's potential division continues to be a subject of media inquiry, as indicated by the questions Vassar received from the media.