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Assemblymember Warren Furutani was first elected in a special election to the 55th District in February 2008 and re-elected in the same year to his first full two-year term.  He represents the cities of Carson, Lakewood, (North and West) Long Beach, and the Los Angeles communities of Harbor City, the Harbor Gateway and Wilmington.

Warren has 40 years of experience and involvement in education and public service, both as an elected official and a community organizer.  He is the only person to have been elected and re-elected to the boards of the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles Community College District.

Beginning as an activist in the 1960’s and continuing to the present day, Warren has worked hard to ensure that all people living in the Golden State have equal opportunities, especially as it relates to education.  These opportunities include working for a quality K-12 education system, affordable and accessible college and university education, and career and technical education programs for all students. Warren is also an advocate for environmental issues—like clean air, and maintaining an adequate “safety net” of health and social services for those who need them.

During Warren’s first year he was able to forge a “win/win” agreement on SB 588 (Runner) that was signed into law.  SB 588 streamlines the process for construction on community college campuses.  As a result of his exemplary leadership and statesmanship, the Professional Engineers in California Government honored Warren with their 2008 Legislator of the Year Award.  Even with a shortened legislative season his first year, Warren was also able to get six bills to the Governor’s desk. Three of these, including AB 2537, that facilitates volunteerism as it relates to public works projects, were signed into law.

In his district, Warren has established a body of community leaders, called Ambassadors, to advise him on issues in the 55th AD. They are people from diverse backgrounds—including people from the education sector, youth of the district, community services, labor groups, local churches and small businesses. Warren had a small business forum with several local chambers of commerce to discuss how he can help during these tough times. His office is also holding an “Opp Fest (opportunity festival)” where community resources can be accessed by folks in the 55th AD.

Relative to committee assignments, Warren founded and is chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Career Technical Education and Workforce Development.  He has also been appointed as Chair of the Committee on Elections and Redistricting.  He has membership on Assembly Standing Committees for: Transportation; Utilities & Commerce; Labor and Employment; and Public Safety. He is also organizing the first ever community college caucus in the California legislature.

A native Californian and fourth generation Japanese American, Warren is a product of the Los Angeles public education system. He has been published and interviewed in education journals, university academic publications, newspapers, books and documentaries.  He is featured in a permanent exhibit, "Common Ground" in the Japanese American National Museum.