Tom Torlakson

Early life

Torlakson was born in San Francisco on July 19, 1949. His grandfather worked in San Francisco as a U.S. Coast Guard seaman. Torlakson's father worked as a welder, building Liberty cargo ships for World War II. Torlakson's mother worked as a school secretary and in the postal service. His younger brother, James Torlakson, is an artist in San Francisco, California. Another younger brother (Christopher Torlakson) is deceased. Torlakson attended Westmoor High School in Daly City, California. On May 25, 2017, Torlakson issued the commencement address where he graduated from 50 years ago.

Torlakson served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1970. His assignments included Guam, Vietnam, Thailand and later on Chevron oil tankers to Alaska which was his first job where he was a union member. In 1968, he received the Merchant Marines Vietnam Service Medal. After his maritime service, Torlakson attended the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a B.A. in History in 1971, and an M.A. in Education in 1977. Torlakson is married to Mae Cendana, a member of the Ambrose Recreation and Park District board of directors. He has two daughters, Tiffany and Tamara.

Torlakson became a science teacher in 1972. He worked as a teacher in Bay Area high schools for six years and was a member of the California Federation of Teachers and the California Teachers Association.

Local politics

Torlakson was elected to the Antioch City Council in 1978. Torlakson was selected as the Mayor Pro-Tem. He was involved in Antioch city politics from 1978 to 1981 when he was chairman of the Delta Protection Commission. Subsequently, he was elected to become a member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors from District 5 (then East Contra Costa County) for 16 years from 1981 to 1996 when he choose to be a candidate for the California Assembly.

First two State Assembly terms

Torlakson challenged George Miller IV, son of the congressman George Miller III, for a California State Assembly seat. Torlakson was a campaigner with the slogan, "His own name, his own record." Torlakson was elected to the California's 11th State Assembly district in 1996 and 1998.

Torlakson authored legislation to provide $50 million to elementary and junior high schools statewide for after-school programs that eventually was increased to $550 million annually. He was an architect of the plan for school facilities funding that became Proposition 1A. Californians approved with a 62% "yes" vote in November 1998, allowing $9.2 billion for new schools and for the modernization and rehabilitation of older schools. He also helped provide funding for numerous day care and Head Start centers.

Torlakson assisted in labor negotiations during local labor disputes including a Kaiser strike, a 22-month contract battle between SEIU Local 250 and Sutter Delta Delta Medical Center, and the BFI-Teamster garbage strike.

Torlakson helped implement the Transportation Congestion Relief Plan that allocated $5 billion, largely using sales taxes on gasoline, for transportation improvements though the Legislature often diverts this money to cover the state budget deficit.

Torlakson backed legislation that requires regular maintenance and mechanical inspections of all permanent amusement park rides. He sought the regulations after a fatal waterslide accident at Waterworld in Concord in 1997.

First campaign

Torlakson was elected to the California State Senate for the 7th Senate District in 2000. Torlakson ran against incumbent Republican State Senator Richard Rainey.

During his first term in the State Senate, Torlakson supported legislation that merged the Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation. Torlakson authored laws that extend to 10 years the time a person's DUI conviction remains on his or her record and other tightened restrictions.

Torlakson was Chairman of the Senate's Majority Caucus and the Chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee. He was also a member of the Senate Local Government Committee.

During his first term, he worked to reduce suburban sprawl, push localities to build affordable housing, and to improve the health of Californians. Torlakson was against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal of having the Bay Area pay the complete cost of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge's new eastern span to replace the span damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Second term

Perata appointed Torlakson to chair the important Senate Appropriations Committee.

Torlakson was also a member of the Education Committee and the Transportation and Housing Committee, and he was Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community.

Of the 20 bills Torlakson sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006, 18 were signed into law, including legislation to streamline and improve California's after school programs and provide $2.9 billion in additional funding to the state's lowest performing schools.

Third State Assembly term

Torlakson did not seek a third Senate term in 2008. Torlakson and Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier switched offices. After serving only one term in the Assembly, DeSaulnier was elected to replace Torlakson in the Senate while Torlakson was elected to replace DeSaulnier in the Assembly to finish the final of the three Assembly terms allowed.

State Superintendent

Torlakson ran for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2010 elections, defeating Larry Aceves in the general election held on November 2, 2010. Torlakson replaced Jack O'Connell, who was termed out of office. He was re-elected in 2014 against Marshall Tuck.

As Superintendent, Torlakson is eighth in the line of succession to the office of Governor of California. On Monday, July 25, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown; Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom; Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León; Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon; Secretary of State Alex Padilla; Attorney General Xavier Becerra; Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones; and Board of Equalization chair Fiona Ma were all out of state attending the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, leaving Torlakson Acting Governor. As Acting Governor, Torlakson proclaimed a state of emergency for the Sand Fire in Los Angeles County and the Soberanes Fire in Monterey County.