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American politician (born 1965) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Norma Judith Torres (née Barillas (born April 4, 1965)[2] is an American politician. She is a member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 35th congressional district. Previously, she was a member of the California State Senate representing the 35th district. She is a member of the Democratic Party.[3]
Norma Torres | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 35th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Gloria Negrete McLeod |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 32nd district | |
| In office May 20, 2013 – November 30, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Gloria Negrete McLeod |
| Succeeded by | Tony Mendoza (Redistricted) |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 52nd district 61st district (2008–2012) | |
| In office December 1, 2008 – May 20, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Nell Soto |
| Succeeded by | Freddie Rodriguez |
| Mayor of Pomona | |
| In office April 3, 2006 – December 1, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | Edward Cortez |
| Succeeded by | Elliot Rothman |
| Member of the Pomona City Council from the 6th district | |
| In office January 8, 2001 – April 3, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Willie White |
| Succeeded by | Steven Bañales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Norma Judith Barillas[1] April 4, 1965 Escuintla, Guatemala |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Louis Torres |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence(s) | Pomona, California, U.S. |
| Education | Mt. San Antonio College Rio Hondo College National Labor College (BA) |
| Website | House website |
Torres was born Norma Judith Barillas in Guatemala.[2] When she was five, she and her uncle came to the United States; her mother died a year later.[4][3] She originally arrived on a tourist visa, but became a legal resident in her teens and gained citizenship in 1992.[5]
Torres worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, and in 1994 led a campaign to require the hiring of bilingual 9-1-1 operators.[6] She was an active member of AFSCME, serving as local 3090's shop steward.[citation needed] She served on the Pomona city council before being elected the city's mayor in 2006.[5] In 2008, Torres endorsed then-presidential candidate Barack Obama before Hillary Clinton withdrew from the race, and was a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. She was elected to the State Assembly in November 2008, filling the vacancy left by former legislator Nell Soto, who retired. She earned her bachelor's degree in labor studies from the now-defunct National Labor College in Maryland in 2012.[7][4]
Torres was elected to the U.S. House of Representative for California's 35th congressional district in 2014, defeating Christina Gagnier (D) with 63.5% of the vote.[8] She was reelected in 2016, defeating Tyler Fischella (R) with 72.4% of the vote.[8] In 2018, Torres received 69.4% of the vote to defeat Christian Valiente (R),[8] and in 2020, she defeated Republican Mike Cargile with 69.3%.
After being reelected to the House in November 2022, Torres accused President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador of interfering in her race. Bukele had urged voters to oppose Torres.[9]
For the 118th Congress:[10]
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As of 2022, Torres has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for her abortion-related voting record.[14][15] She opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling it "devastating" and saying it set back "our country decades, reversing so many years of hard-fought progress" for women.[16]
In 2022, Torres was one of 16 Democrats to vote against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2021, an antitrust package that would crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.[17][18]
Torres was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[19]
Torres is married to Louis Torres. They live in Pomona, California.[20] They have three sons, including Robert Torres, a Pomona City Council member.
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