Norma Torres

Early life and career

Torres was born Norma Judith Barillas in Guatemala. When she was five, she and her uncle came to the United States; her mother died a year later.

Torres worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, and in 1994 led a campaign to require the hiring of bilingual 9-1-1 operators. She was an active member of AFSCME, serving as local 3090's shop steward.

Early political activities

She served on the Pomona city council before being elected the city's mayor in 2006.

U.S. House of Representatives

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. She was reelected in 2016, defeating Tyler Fischella (R) with 72.4% of the vote. In 2018, Torres received 69.4% of the vote to defeat Christian Valiente (R), and in 2020, she defeated Republican Mike Cargile with 69.3%.

Tenure

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.

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
  • Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Committee on House Administration
  • Subcommittee on Elections
  • Subcommittee on Oversight (Ranking Member)

Caucus memberships

• Black Maternal Health Caucus{{cite web|title=Caucus Members
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
• New Democrat Coalition
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus

Political positions

Abortion

As of 2025, Torres has a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F grade from the Susan B. Anthony List for her abortion-related voting record. 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.

Personal life

Torres is married to Louis Torres. They live in Pomona, California. They have three sons, including Robert Torres, a former Pomona City Council member.

Electoral history

References

References

1. Kevin Freking [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-a-child-of-guatemala-seeks-a-seat-in-congress-2014sep06-story.html A child of Guatemala seeks a seat in Congress]
2. (n.d.). "Biography".
3. Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly, Secretary of the California State Senate. "2009-10 California Legislature". State of California.
4. (February 15, 2015). "Dangers Propelled Norma Torres to Move to U.S., Then to Politics". [[The New York Times]].
5. Kevin Freking. (September 6, 1994). "A child of Guatemala seeks a seat in Congress". [[Associated Press]].
6. (2019-04-17). "Congresswoman Norma Torres".
7. (2012-12-11). "Biography". Congresswoman Norma Torres.
8. "California's 35th Congressional District".
9. Sesin, Carmen. (November 28, 2022). "State Department says Salvadorans' attempts to 'directly influence' a U.S. congressional election are 'unacceptable'".
10. "Norma J. Torres". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
11. "Members". Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
12. "Members". New Democrat Coalition.
13. "Members". Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
14. "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus.
15. "Congressional Record".
16. "Norma Torres".
17. "Register".
18. (7 November 2018). "Torres".
19. "About Norma {{!}} U.S. Congresswoman Norma Torres of California's 35th District".
20. (November 4, 2008). "2008 California general election results".
21. (November 2, 2010). "2010 California general election results".
22. (November 2, 2012). "2012 California general election results".
23. (March 12, 2013). "Final Official Election Results (32nd District)".
24. (June 3, 2014). "2014 California primary election results".
25. (November 4, 2014). "2014 California general election results".
26. (June 7, 2016). "2016 California primary election results".
27. (November 8, 2016). "2016 California general election results".
28. (June 5, 2018). "2018 California primary election results".
29. (November 6, 2018). "2018 California general election results".
30. (March 3, 2020). "2020 California primary election results".
31. (November 3, 2020). "2020 California general election results".
32. (June 7, 2022). "2022 California primary election results".
33. (November 8, 2022). "2022 California general election results".
34. (March 5, 2024). "2024 California primary election results".
35. (November 5, 2024). "2024 California general election results".