Nicholas C. Petris was the first Greek-American elected to the California State Senate. Born in 1923 in Oakland, California, Petris earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from University of California in 1943 and, after serving in the Office of Strategic Service during WWII, graduated from Stanford Law in 1949. After working as an attorney in Oakland for several years, Petris was elected as the State Assembly Member in District Fifteen from 1959. In 1966, he was elected as a State Senator representing District Eleven and after redistricting, represented District Nine until he was termed out in 1996. In this interview, Petris discusses the Greek community in California, the California Democratic party in the fifties, affordable housing in Oakland, changes in California State Government during the Reagan and Brown eras, and his healthcare and environmental legislation. This interview also includes a brief interview with Petris’ administrative aide Alfreda Abbott.