Former California State Senator Mark Leno, a close ally of Vice President Kamala Harris, once introduced controversial legislation aimed at reducing penalties for child pornography possession. Leno, a prominent California Democrat, has been linked to a series of pro-pedophile policy positions, sparking outrage and concern from both sides of the political aisle.
Leno’s proposal, known as AB 50, sought to soften penalties for individuals caught with less than 100 pieces of child pornography, creating an exemption from felony charges. According to critics, this leniency would allow offenders in possession of numerous illicit images to escape severe punishment. In a Los Angeles Daily News op-ed, Leno’s legislation was described as a dangerous move to go “soft on child porn,” and an all-time low in California politics.
Under Leno’s bill, even a compact disc containing up to 1,000 illegal images would have counted as just one piece of child pornography, further minimizing the severity of the crime. The plan faced backlash not only from Republicans but also from prominent Democrats and political analysts. Kevin McCarthy, who was Assembly Republican leader at the time, called out the bill’s dangerous implications. Longtime Democratic political analyst Pat Caddell echoed these concerns, labeling the “100 exemptions for child porn” as outright “insane.”
Leno’s disturbing legislative record didn’t end there. According to the same op-ed, Leno also played a key role in blocking efforts to close loopholes that allowed dangerous sex offenders, including child molesters, to leave Atascadero State Hospital early. After Senate Bill 864 passed the California State Senate unanimously, which sought stricter commitments for hard-core sex criminals, Leno was one of three “ultraliberal” legislators who shut it down in committee, allowing offenders to go home earlier than the law would have required.
Despite Leno’s troubling stances, Kamala Harris praised him for his work. When Leno retired from the California Legislature in 2016, Harris, then serving as California Attorney General, issued a glowing statement. She thanked him for his efforts to “secure a better future for California’s most vulnerable children” and publicly referred to herself as his “dear friend.” Harris even tweeted the next day, thanking Leno for his 14 years of “passionate & collaborative service.”
Harris’ close association with Leno has raised eyebrows given his controversial track record. As she continues to hold one of the highest offices in the nation, her political allies and their past actions are increasingly scrutinized. While Harris has made statements condemning abuse and advocating for vulnerable children, her connection to a politician like Leno, who fought to reduce penalties for crimes involving child exploitation, has become a point of contention for her critics.
Leno’s legacy as a legislator includes progressive achievements on various social issues, but his lenient stance on sex crimes involving children has left a dark stain on his career. For many, his friendship with Harris calls into question her judgment in aligning with such a figure, especially given the disturbing details of his legislative record on child exploitation issues.
Thank you, @MarkLeno, for 14 years of passionate & collaborative service in #CALeg! via @fogcityjournal pic.twitter.com/FtPgY648y2
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) September 1, 2016
Nice to catch up with my great supporter and dear friend of two decades @KamalaHarris at tonight’s Labor Council COPE Dinner! pic.twitter.com/pWRYgrZo2K
— Mark Leno (@MarkLeno) May 3, 2018
Additionally, Daily Caller reports,
Leno and Harris have maintained a close relationship for over two decades, according to both of their social media posts and old news articles.
(Kamala Harris/Mark Leno-
In 2003, Leno campaigned with Harris during her run for San Francisco District Attorney.
“With less name recognition than Hallinan and Fazio, Harris is taking her message to the streets. Saturday, she campaigned through the Castro with queer leaders including Assemblyman Mark Leno, Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club co-chair Theresa Sparks, Hank Wilson and Martha Knutzen,” The San Fransisco Examiner wrote in 2003.