Newton Russell

Newton Requa Russell was an American businessman and politician.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Russell attended Los Angeles High School and the Webb [School of California]. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He then graduated from University of Southern California and was a special agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance for twelve years. He served in the California State Assembly from 1964 to 1974 as a Republican representing the California's 62nd [State Assembly district|62nd district], but following reapportionment his district was merged, and he lost his seat to fellow Republican Michael D. Antonovich in the 1974 primaries. However, a resignation that year led to a vacancy in the California State Senate for the California's 21st [State Senate district|21st district], and Russell defeated Arthur K. Snyder in the resulting special election. He was chairman of the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee, and remained a member of the Senate until 1996. He died of lung cancer at his home in La Cañada Flintridge, California in 2013.