John Burton, the profanity-laden liberal powerhouse who shaped California Democratic politics for six decades, has died at 92.

Burton mentored Nancy Pelosi and helped build the Democratic machine that dominates California.

Despite battling cocaine addiction in the 1980s, he returned to become the state Capitol’s most powerful legislator as Senate president pro tem.

John L. Burton, the proudly liberal and pro-labor lawmaker who shaped California politics and policy over six decades on topics as varied as welfare, foster care, auto emissions, guns and foie gras, has died. He was 92.

With his brother, Rep. Phillip Burton, and college buddy, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Burton was integral to the organization that dominated Democratic politics in San Francisco and the state sta

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