November 19, 2015

PITTSBURG, CA— Mae Cendaña Torlakson galloped out to an early lead today in Democratic club endorsements, announcing she had earned the support of three key Democratic clubs in the 14th Assembly district.

Those endorsing Mae today included:

  • Filipino-American Democratic Club of Contra Costa County
  • Stonewall Democrats of Solano County
  • United Democrats of Solano County

“It’s important now more than ever that we fight for Democratic values like inclusion, equity, and economic opportunity,” said Torlakson. “Local Democratic activists are the heart and soul of our party, and I’m beyond pleased to have earned the support of so many of them.”

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 expanding area parks and hiking trails to be a voice for college affordability, environmental protection and economic opportunity.

Torlakson serves as the Corporate Partnerships Liaison of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which helps educationally disadvantaged students pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

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 to 28,000 residents of Bay Point and the Oak Hills community of 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 a continuous trail network through 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, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Suisun, and Vallejo.