January 13th, 2016
PITTSBURG, CA— Beginning the new year on a high note, Mae Cendaña Torlakson today announced that she had earned the support of California State Treasurer John Chiang.
Torlakson now has the endorsements of five statewide elected officials: Previously she had earned the support of Lieutenant Governor Newsom, State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, State School Superintendent TomTorlakson, and State Controller Betty Yee.
“Mae Cendaña Torlakson will bring innovative ideas to our state government that move California forward,” said John Chiang. “She’ll work hard to build a better future for all Californians through investments in job training, education, and 21st century infrastructure. I urge you to support Mae Cendaña Torlakson for State Assembly.”
Shortly before the holidays, Torlakson was endorsed by State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and the Democratic Legislative Woman’s Caucus. 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 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 TomTorlakson, 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.