Shorter Version of Biography

Jose Solorio, the humble son of farm workers, is the California State Assembly's representative from central Orange County, including the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Santa Ana. 

Only in his first legislative session, Assemblyman Solorio has provided leadership in significant issues: improving schools, preventing gang violence, creating jobs, and maintaining a strong transportation infrastructure.

Assemblyman Solorio is already considered an influential lawmaker due to several noteworthy accomplishments. He was appointed by his peers in the Assembly to serve as Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety and as a member of three other key Assembly committees: Education, Transportation, and Appropriations. He also received the “Legislator of the Year” award from three statewide public safety organizations, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the Association of Code Enforcement Officers and the California Sheriff’s Association for his support of important legislation to rehabilitate youth offenders, fight gang activity, and protect the community from violent criminals and neighborhood blight.  

In addition, under Assemblyman Solorio’s authorship and guidance, historic, bi-partisan prison reform legislation passed the Legislature and was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It establishes a $7.8 billion comprehensive prison reform and rehabilitation plan to reduce the state's 70 percent recidivism rate. Assemblyman Solorio also worked with the Governor to launch a new statewide anti-gang strategy of suppression, prevention, intervention, and re-entry programs. As part of that strategy, he co-authored a bill that established the state’s first anti-gang czar office.  

In the education arena, Assemblyman Solorio has fought for budget funding for important state programs that help children and adults learn English. Assemblyman Solorio also authored a law that will reduce the sky-rocketing prices of college text books.  The bill requires that publishers, college bookstores and professors keep costs in check and disclose more information to students

Solorio’s passionate efforts to increase opportunities for all Californians spring forth from an inspiring personal story. The son of migrant farm workers, Solorio was determined to improve his family's standard of living and viewed education as the key to his future.  After graduating from high school, he entered the University of California at Irvine and was elected student body president in his senior year. 

After graduation and a year's stint in the prestigious California Senate Fellow Program, Solorio attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government to pursue a master’s degree in public policy. In 1995, Solorio returned to Orange County to work as vice president for a marketing and public relations firm. He returned to public service in 1998 to manage internal and external marketing campaigns for the Orange County Transportation Authority.

He was elected to the Santa Ana City Council in 2000 and re-elected in 2004.  Prior to being elected to the City Council, he was on the Santa Ana Planning Commission, and the Santa Ana Environmental and Transportation Advisory Committee. Additionally, he was a gubernatorial appointee to the Regional Water Quality Control and a board member for the Orange County Water District. 

Solorio is interested in using his experience in education, government, and business to help address policy challenges at all levels of government.  Equally important, he seeks to help all Californians realize their hopes and dreams.  Often asked why he dedicates so much time and effort in the community, Solorio recites one of Cesar Chavez's famous quotes: "The end of all education should surely be service to others."

Assemblyman Solorio, his wife Linn, and their two sons reside in Santa Ana. Linn is a social studies teacher at Valley High School in Santa Ana.