December 1st, 2015

PITTSBURG, CA – Building on a recent surge of momentum, Mae Cendaña Torlakson was endorsed today by the California Democratic Legislative Woman’s Caucus.

Torlakson was previously endorsed by the California Chapter of the National Women’s Political Caucus.

“Mae Cendaña Torlakson has a distinguished career in public service, and she’s highly qualified to serve in the State Assembly,” said Christina Garcia, Vice Chair of the Legislative Democratic Woman’s Caucus. “The Legislative Democratic Woman’s Caucus supports Mae Cendaña Torlakson for State Assembly because she is the best candidate to help improve California’s schools, parks, and neighborhoods.”

Last week, Torlakson was endorsed by three Democratic clubs. For a full list of her endorsements, click here.

Torlakson, a Democrat, is seeking the 14th District seat held by Assembly member Susan Bonilla, who will leave office in 2016 due to term limits. Torlakson has pledged to use her skills building education partnerships with business and be a voice for college access and affordability, environmental protection and jobs development.

Torlakson is a manager at the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which is administered by the University of California Office of the President. Torlakson helps educationally disadvantaged students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and has led in the creation of partnerships with businesses such as a successful mentoring program with Cisco.

A longtime advocate for community parks and open space, Torlakson chairs and is serving her third elected term on the board of the Ambrose Recreation and Park District, which provides recreation services and after school programs to 28,000 residents of Bay Point and Pittsburg.

Torlakson also serves as chair of the Friends of the Delta Trail, and led advocacy efforts that secured $4.5 million for the Great California Delta Trail, which will provide shoreline access and a continuous trail network through the five Delta counties.

Born in the Philippines, Torlakson immigrated to the United States in 1988 and became a U.S. citizen in 1994. Torlakson raised two children, both of whom graduated from the University of California, Berkeley.

Torlakson is married to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who represented the region in the State Assembly and Senate before winning statewide office in 2010. They live in the Contra Costa County community of Pittsburg.

The 14th Assembly District represents portions of Contra Costa County and Southern Solano County. It includes the cities of Benicia, Clayton, Concord, Crockett, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Rodeo, Martinez, Suisun and Vallejo.