Biography

Assemblymember Norma Torres was elected in November 2008 to represent the 61st District of Pomona, Ontario, Montclair and Chino. 

Prior to her election, Torres served as mayor of Pomona and also worked as a bilingual 9-1-1 dispatcher and instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department. She previously served as a member of Pomona’s city council.

Working to protect the public safety and making Pomona a better place to live have been Norma’s lifelong work, which she will continue as an Assemblymember. In 1994, Torres led the effort to require the hiring of bilingual 9-1-1 operators at the Los Angeles Police Department. Despite overwhelming odds she organized a grassroots coalition that resulted in bilingual operators on every shift.

Fighting to keep Pomona safe for families, Torres passed the state’s first ordinance regulating where convicted sex offenders were allowed to live. The ordinance prevented sex offenders from living near Pomona’s schools and businesses or together in large group homes.

Ending the cycle of gang violence continues to be a top priority for Assemblymember Torres. She brings a long record of fighting crime on behalf of working families.  As mayor, she imposed gang injunctions limiting gang activities and worked with the community to break the code of silence in crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Reversing budget cuts throughout the city of Pomona, Torres helped to restore firefighting positions and ensured that fire shifts were fully staffed and firefighters were properly equipped to respond to fire and emergency calls.  Torres also created a public-private partnership that focuses on clean-up efforts throughout the community and led home repair and improvement programs to make Pomona’s neighborhoods stronger.

Assemblymember Torres will continue to stand squarely on the side of working families. Over the years, she has volunteered for community service with the Suicide Prevention Center, Big Sisters Program, AYSO, Boy Scouts and many school-related activities.

Assemblymember Torres lives in Pomona with her husband, Louis, and their three sons.