Cristina Garcia is often referred to as a “Force of Nature,” first as a dynamic community organizer and civic activist and now as a new generation of leader in the California State Legislature.

Born and raised in the community of Bell Gardens, Garcia was a middle school, high school and collegiate math and statistics teacher for thirteen years.  She got her start as an activist for higher ethical standards in government in 2010 when her city was faced with a massive corruption scandal. She organized a coalition of concerned citizens, formed the Bell Association to Stop Abuse (BASTA), and they successfully ousted the corrupt officials and established accountability and transparency in her local government.

She then ran for the 58th Assembly District in the fall of 2012 on a platform of ethics reform and good governance. She saw the problems in Sacramento and wanted to put the State Legislature back to work for the people of California. When she was elected, she went to Sacramento and did just that.

In the Capitol, she crashed the good old boy’s network and is now leading the way to empower women to take their seat at the table. She insisted on parity in the tax code by introducing a bill to repeal the sales on pads, tampons and other menstrual items and led the charge to update the definition of rape in light of Brock Turner verdict, starting a national dialogue on both issues.  As the Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, she made gender equity a priority and has been pivotal in ensuring that the Women’s Caucus plays an important role in budget and policy discussions.

Reflective of the cultural change as a state and the new realities of a diverse population of color, Cristina Garcia embraces her own communities with a message of hope and inclusion.

She demanded accountability in man-made environmental disasters, like the Exide battery plant, and pushes to make all levels of government more transparent and accountable to voters. As the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee, Cristina Garcia is fighting to make sure communities like hers aren’t left behind any longer. In 2017, she passed a first-of-its-kind air quality bill to address her district’s unique environmental justice issues and proceeded to tout this environmental achievement at the UN Climate Change Conference COP23 in Bonn, Germany. 

 She is on a constant mission to educate, empower and engage, whether that is for constituents of the 58th Assembly District, for women or for disadvantaged communities.  She fights for change with a passion to improve the lives of working people and to brighten the path to the future for our next generation.  As a vibrant new leader of promise, Cristina Garcia hasn’t forgotten where she came from, but with purpose, she also knows where California should be going.

When I was first elected to the assembly, I promised to represent our community- not the special interest. After all, I was not a politician - I was a math teacher and community activist interested in stopping corruption. 

My time in our state capitol hasn't been easy. The special interest didn't like me when I first arrived and still don't. But I'm not afraid of them. I continue to believe we must always put the people's interest above the special interest. 

Here are some of my laws putting people's interest first:

Cleaning up our local Central Basin Water Board, so there would be more accountability and sweetheart contracts would stop.

Auditing the Montebello Unified School District to bring more transparency on how they spend our tax dollars. 

Forcing toxic polluters to shut down immediately after a local air board recognizes that they're putting our health at risk.

Giving educators the authority to intervene when students are being cyberbullied. 

Placing free menstrual products in bathrooms of our low-income schools to improve school attendance. 

Creating a funding stream to cleanup man-made environmental disasters like Exide. 

Prohibiting the sale of vaping devices or liquids to people under the age of 18. 

I am also proud of my role in the national #metoo movement. I tell everyone - that YES, #metoo is about women's rights but more importantly it's about treating each other with respect and dignity. I can't think of a greater reform that that. 

I will continue to put my community’s needs first.

As a member of the Bell Gardens City Council for over 16 years and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Central Basin Municipal Water District, Pedro Aceituno has proven he has the experience necessary to govern and to provide the leadership currently lacking in the 58th Assembly District.

As longtime elected representative of the Southeast communities, Pedro Aceituno has earned a solid reputation for his innovative programs to address public safety, low to moderate-income housing, homelessness, transportation, business development and other challenges facing local California cities.  A life-long resident of Bell Gardens, He and his wife Vicky have been married for 18 years and have two children.

With Pedro Aceituno’s leadership, the City of Bell Gardens completed one of the biggest retail shopping developments in the City’s history. In addition, he helped spearhead the development of the $50 million Bicycle Casino hotel project which has provided much needed tax revenue and hundreds of new jobs for the community. He has also been the driving force behind local park improvements, new recreational programs, expanded senior citizens activities, and worked hard to put more police officers on the streets of the community.  Pedro Aceituno’s past voting record confirms his strong support of law enforcement and he is totally committed to providing the necessary tools and resources to keep our families safe.

Today, with the challenges of several propositions and legislation that are causing the early release of violent felons and sexual predators, Pedro Aceituno will ensure that public safety remains a top priority. He strongly feels that the California Legislature needs to refocus its priorities to ensure legislation is enacted that helps reduce crime and keep Californians safe. As a member of the California State Assembly, he will do everything in his power to ensure that happens.

As a former member of the Board of Directors of the Central Basin Municipal Water District, Pedro Aceituno focused on providing clean, reliable water service to nearly two million people living in southeast Los Angeles County. He understands the importance of protecting our water resources today and for future generations of Californians.

Pedro Aceituno also recognizes the importance of developing transportation that will move Californians more rapidly, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. As a member of the Board of Directors of Eco-Rapid Transit, he is working with other elected officials to pursue the development of a state-of-the-art high-speed rail system that will enhance our quality of life as we move throughout our communities.

Pedro Aceituno wants to go to Sacramento to make sure the needs and challenges of the 58th Assembly District are met. Whether its education, jobs, transportation, the environment, or combating crime, Pedro Aceituno will make sure our voice is heard.

HONESTY, TRUST AND RESPECT – is what you deserve from your representatives. As a City Councilmember, I served the community by using these three principles to guide me. As your next Assemblymember I will continue to live by these guiding principles and work on respectable policies to strengthen our neighborhoods. I am running for State Assembly to serve you and to help bring back pride to our communities.

Ms. Karla V. Salazar, a bilingual leader, offers over eighteen years of management experience in the public, nonprofit, and private sector. This diverse intersection of public and private industry experience has allowed her to have the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff. Many of her client interactions are directly with Executives in the Finance, Operations, and Public Affairs departments. 

Her life mission is to contribute to a more humane world by collaborating with visionary leaders, developing and implementing transformative ideas, strengthening organizations, and being of service to our communities. The guiding principle that drives and motivates Karla as a professional and citizen of the world is her ability to empower, impact and influence individuals and organizations toward a common good.

In the public sector, she worked as an Assistant Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco - Los Angeles, Field Director for the California State Controller – Executive Office, and an Analyst at the City of Santa Monica – Finance Department. 

Since 2010, she has collaborated with nonprofit organizations such as the California Community Foundation and Nonprofit Finance Fund. Her work with nonprofits has led to directly providing financial management consulting services to over 40 nonprofit organizations throughout California along with managing the day-to-day operations including business development, relationship management, staff management and leading advisory committees.

Karla has also enhanced her professional experience by working closely with several community organizations. She is a board member of United States Selective Service System, Families In Schools and continues to be involved in several community projects. 

In 2013, she launched her financial and strategic management consulting work under SOS Strategies partnering with foundations and nonprofit organizations in Southern California. She is also a part-time instructor at UCLA Extension, teaching the online required course, the Business of Nonprofits for the Certificate in Nonprofit Management.

Karla earned a Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy from the Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis in international relations and specialization in Chicana/Chicano Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles.  Ms. Salazar also completed the Executive Program in General Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, John E. Anderson School of Management.

A proud father of three and devoted husband, Ivan Altamirano is a team player, a man who leads from the front, dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help his fellow neighbors fight for their dreams.

A high-school dropout, at-risk youth, and a juvenile who was headed in the wrong direction typically do not describe a future political figure. But Ivan is unlike most. He had a rough upbringing in an era when communities were gang-infested. He spent a short time in juvenile hall and later became a father at just 17. These challenges are what forged his future toward a life of public service.

At 19, Ivan turned his life around. He became certified in air-conditioning and heating and earned his GED and Associates in Science at L.A. Trade Tech. Learning what hard work and commitment truly means, he first worked as a service technician, clocking 80-hour weeks. After a series of other certifications and trainings, including the Local 250 Pipe Fitters Union, Ivan launched his own business Ambient A/C & Heating Inc. in 2005. The business took off, employing both full-time staff and subcontractors. However, with the 2008 financial crisis, Ambient A/C & Heating suffered a severe economic downfall. Ivan lost assets and experienced hardships.

But he is a fighter. In June 2009, he connected with Les Brown, one of the world’s most renowned inspirational speakers, and organized an event called “Fight For Your Dream.” This catapulted him toward fighting for his own dream. He returned to the air-conditioning industry to rebuild his business while putting local subcontractors back to work.

In March 2012, his beloved city, the City of Commerce, had a vacant council seat. Citizens were invited to apply for a one-year appointment to City Council. Out of 23 qualified applicants, Ivan was chosen and thereafter appointed. The City Administrator acknowledged Ivan’s tenacity and said, “He parachuted in the middle of a crisis and hit the ground running.” In partnership with Council Members, city employees, and Unions, Ivan worked to generate new initiatives to spark economic reform; the city itself was also experiencing its own economic struggles.

Within three months of his appointment to the City Council, he spearheaded his first project: the Citadel Express Shuttle, a transportation bus that operates on natural gas and travels to numerous stops from Commerce to Downtown Los Angeles. Of all the transportation benefits the City of Commerce offers, the Citadel Express Shuttle is known as having the highest ridership in Commerce.

During Ivan’s first year on Council, the City planned to lay off many employees. Teamwork collaboration between City Council and AFSCME Union ensured layoffs were revoked. In fact, more jobs were created. From there, Ivan used the momentum of Citadel Express Shuttle’s success to expand positive programs like Art in Public Places and City Beautification. He also prompted an early shutdown of an environmental pollutant, the Refuse Facility, that burns 360 tons of trash a day, requiring the use of 120 trucks daily—all within a mere 1,000 yards from residential areas. The Refuse Facility is scheduled to shutdown in June 2018, something Ivan considers a huge win for the community.

His commitment to the City of Commerce and neighboring cities, a place that has watched him fall and rise up, is unwavering. He is impassioned to bring back the middle class. This means helping businesses thrive. Though his political career was unplanned, he has embraced the opportunity as an elected official because he can influence change. He gives voice to those who feel they are not heard. Supporters have told Ivan, “You give hope to people, and that’s stronger than a promise.”

Because of his success as a Council Member, Ivan is now running for State Assembly District 58. His focus is public safety, education, mental health, homelessness, housing, transportation, infrastructure, environmental initiatives, youth programs, and caring for seniors. He knows firsthand the importance of ensuring kids grow up in safe and healthy neighborhoods. He also believes we must care for the elderly, those who protected us when we were children. Currently, he is working with Council Members and community leaders to create a new Sheriff Station to serve the region.

During his six years on City Council, during which he was re-elected in 2013 and 2017, he has served as the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, sat on the board for Southeast Water Coalition, Gateway Cities Council of Governments, Sanitation Districts, and is currently Chair Director of the Refuse Facility, Economic Development Committee, and Beautification Committee.

Ivan also co-authored a book with other speakers titled “Meeting Les Brown”, and all proceeds are given to adopted children and their families.

Having grown up across from City Hall in the City of Commerce, Ivan Altamirano knows his past does not equal his future. Instead, his upbringing continues to inspire him to pursue a life of public service for his neighboring cities.While eventually, his desire is to tackle global issues like world hunger and environmental advocacy, he’s starting where he can: his community. He believes in the power of change and is driven to pay it forward as others have done for him. As his mentor says, “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you must start to be great!”

I was Born & raised in the 58th Assembly District. My great grandparents on my mom’s side came to Bellflower  in the 1930’s. On my dad’s side my Great Grandfather “Papa” lived & died in Bell Gardens until he was 99 years old.

I attended local schools in Bellflower & Downey. I have 3 college degrees from Cerritos College, CSULB, and a Masters in Educational Counseling from CSUDH. Also I have Teaching & Counseling Credentials. 

My dad was my little league coach, mom was my den mother, which helped me achieve my Eagle Scout Award in Cerritos.

Profession: Educator & Tennis Coach for over 30 years in LA & Orange County Schools, for the last 3 years since my father the former Mayor of Bellflower & Los Cerritos Superior Court Commissioner Ed Drayer died, I have be running our family businesses in Bellflower, Downey, & our Mexican Seafood Restaurant Building in Paramount.

Finally my community accomplishments: I helped reduced election costs for Downey School Board & Bellflower City Council by empowering neighborhoods & I was elected to the Cerritos College Board of trustees building new college buildings on time & under budget. However due to my father’s untimely death I retired from the board to complete my father’s probate, which I finished last June. Since I retired from the board I have worked actively with the Accreditation Commission & spoke up for the community & students in regards to the illegal leasing of student parking & the Strawberry patch in violation of the zoning laws of the city of Cerritos & Brown Act in not properly informing the public occurred.  The State Attorney General agreed with me that laws were broken by the college, but due to the limited budget of the DA’s Office could not take action at this time.

Reduce red tape, taxes, & regulations to improve business revenues to afford more affordable housing & health care for the homeless & uninsured.

Protect our schools & neighborhoods from gun violence with closed campuses, random searches, more school police & pro-active Counseling.