Hector De La Torre
Encyclopedia
Hector De La Torre is an American politician from Los Angeles County, California
who served in the California State Assembly
from 2004 to 2010. A Democrat, he represented the largely Latino
50th Assembly district
. De La Torre grew up in South Gate and taught at Edison Junior High in South Los Angeles.
De La Torre majored in Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College
in Los Angeles and attended graduate school at The George Washington University
in Washington, D.C.
De La Torre and his wife, Christine, live in South Gate with their children, the ambitious Elinor, Henrik, and Emilia.
(D-CA) and on the staff of Congressman Alan Wheat
(D-MO). In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration.
City Council in 1997 and served until 2004, serving as mayor for two of those years. He represented the city on the Executive Board of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, where he played a key role in developing plans to improve the I-710 Freeway. He served on the San Gabriel
and Lower Los Angeles Mountains and Rivers Conservancy where he supported the preservation of open space throughout the district.
As Mayor, he worked to improve relations between the city, the community, and the police department. He helped build new parks, addressed budget issues, helped to improve the transportation infrastructure, and improved senior programs and education for the city's children. In order to alleviate overcrowding, De La Torre fought for new and better school facilities. He fought for honest and effective government, and led South Gate residents in a grassroots campaign to recall corrupt elected officials, stabilize the city's financial condition, and rebuild public trust.
For years, South Gate had been unofficially controlled by Albert Robles
, who once boasted to being the “King of South Gate.” Politicians who ran against the Robles slate often found themselves the victims of anonymous, libelous campaign mailers. For example, some were charged with child molestation, alcoholism, and not supporting children living in other states—all unfounded claims.
During his reelection campaign for city council, Hector De La Torre was challenged by a political unknown who was also named Hector De La Torre. The incumbent charged that this was an attempt to confuse voters and remove him from the city council. Despite the challenge, City Councilmember De La Torre came in first in the election.
Robles’s critics faced personal as well as political danger. Many received death threats. Joseph Ruiz, a political activist who campaigned against Robles’s allies, fell victim to arson when his business was hit with four Molotov cocktails. And Henry Gonzalez, then mayor of South Gate, was shot in the head by an unknown assailant.
The January 2003 recall ousted Robles from his position as City Treasurer, along with three of his allies on the City Council. The recall effort passed by a resounding 8-1 ratio. By the time the new councilmembers were sworn in, the Robles majority on the City Council had completely depleted the eight million dollars in the city’s reserve.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Albert Robles was indicted "on 39 counts of money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and public corruption.” Prosecutors argued that “he used his elected office and political influence to funnel money from city projects to family and friends between 1998 and 2003." De La Torre testified in the trial against the former city treasurer. Robles was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
by a 29-33 margin.
, a position vacated by Republican Steve Poizner
, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor
. De La Torre ran on a platform of increasing access to health care and ensuring that patients get the best care from insurance companies. He has been endorsed by the California Nurses Association, the CA Professional Firefighters, the California Medical Association
, and the California League of Conservation Voters
. De La Torre lost in the Democratic primaries on June 8, 2010 to Dave Jones
by 39 to 61 margin.
appointed De La Torre to the California Air Resources Board
, filling the position vacated by Lydia Kennard.
Los Angeles County, California
Los Angeles County is a county in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 U.S. Census, the county had a population of 9,818,605, making it the most populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County alone is more populous than 42 individual U.S. states...
who served in the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
from 2004 to 2010. A Democrat, he represented the largely Latino
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
50th Assembly district
California's 50th State Assembly district
California's 50th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens.-District profile:...
. De La Torre grew up in South Gate and taught at Edison Junior High in South Los Angeles.
De La Torre majored in Diplomacy and World Affairs at Occidental College
Occidental College
Occidental College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1887, Occidental College, or "Oxy" as it is called by students and alumni, is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges on the West Coast...
in Los Angeles and attended graduate school at The George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
De La Torre and his wife, Christine, live in South Gate with their children, the ambitious Elinor, Henrik, and Emilia.
Early career
Prior to his election to the Assembly, he worked as Judicial Administrator with the California Superior Court in Los Angeles for three years. He also served as legislative director for former California Congressman Richard H. LehmanRichard H. Lehman
Richard Henry "Rick" Lehman is a former member of the United States House of Representatives from California who served from 1983 to 1995; he was previously a member of the California State Assembly....
(D-CA) and on the staff of Congressman Alan Wheat
Alan Wheat
Alan Dupree Wheat is an American politician from the state of Missouri.-Early life:Wheat graduated from Grinnell College in 1972 and served in the Missouri General Assembly from 1977 to 1982...
(D-MO). In 1995, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration.
Member of the California State Assembly
De La Torre served as Chair of the Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, responsible for overseeing the implementation of state programs and identifying potential savings. In addition, he served on the following standing committees: Budget, Health, Housing and Community Development, Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and Human Services and Budget Subcommittee #4 on State Administration.South Gate city council
De La Torre was elected to the South GateSouth Gate, California
South Gate is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The sixteenth largest city in Los Angeles County, it encompasses . South Gate is located just southeast of downtown Los Angeles It is part of the Gateway Cities region of southeastern Los Angeles County...
City Council in 1997 and served until 2004, serving as mayor for two of those years. He represented the city on the Executive Board of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, where he played a key role in developing plans to improve the I-710 Freeway. He served on the San Gabriel
San Gabriel
San Gabriel may mean:Ecuador*San Gabriel, EcuadorGuatemala*San Gabriel, SuchitepéquezMexico*San Gabriel, Durango*San Gabriel, Guanajuato*San Gabriel, Jalisco*San Gabriel Chilac, Puebla*San Gabriel Mixtepec, OaxacaPhilippines*San Gabriel, La Union...
and Lower Los Angeles Mountains and Rivers Conservancy where he supported the preservation of open space throughout the district.
As Mayor, he worked to improve relations between the city, the community, and the police department. He helped build new parks, addressed budget issues, helped to improve the transportation infrastructure, and improved senior programs and education for the city's children. In order to alleviate overcrowding, De La Torre fought for new and better school facilities. He fought for honest and effective government, and led South Gate residents in a grassroots campaign to recall corrupt elected officials, stabilize the city's financial condition, and rebuild public trust.
South Gate corruption scandal
De La Torre was one of only two council members not involved in the corruption scandal, which prompted a January 2003 recall of three other members of the city council, as well as the South Gate city treasurer. The recall, which De La Torre helped lead, was the culmination of a long fight to clean up the corruption in South Gate.For years, South Gate had been unofficially controlled by Albert Robles
Albert Robles
Albert T. Robles is an American politician and former mayor, councilman, treasurer, and deputy city manager for the City of South Gate, California. He also served as an elected Director of the Central Basin Municipal Water District in Carson, California...
, who once boasted to being the “King of South Gate.” Politicians who ran against the Robles slate often found themselves the victims of anonymous, libelous campaign mailers. For example, some were charged with child molestation, alcoholism, and not supporting children living in other states—all unfounded claims.
During his reelection campaign for city council, Hector De La Torre was challenged by a political unknown who was also named Hector De La Torre. The incumbent charged that this was an attempt to confuse voters and remove him from the city council. Despite the challenge, City Councilmember De La Torre came in first in the election.
Robles’s critics faced personal as well as political danger. Many received death threats. Joseph Ruiz, a political activist who campaigned against Robles’s allies, fell victim to arson when his business was hit with four Molotov cocktails. And Henry Gonzalez, then mayor of South Gate, was shot in the head by an unknown assailant.
The January 2003 recall ousted Robles from his position as City Treasurer, along with three of his allies on the City Council. The recall effort passed by a resounding 8-1 ratio. By the time the new councilmembers were sworn in, the Robles majority on the City Council had completely depleted the eight million dollars in the city’s reserve.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Albert Robles was indicted "on 39 counts of money laundering, bribery, wire fraud and public corruption.” Prosecutors argued that “he used his elected office and political influence to funnel money from city projects to family and friends between 1998 and 2003." De La Torre testified in the trial against the former city treasurer. Robles was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
Run for Congress
In 2002, De La Torre ran for the House of Representatives to represent California's 39th Congressional District. He came in second in a six person Democratic primary, losing to Linda SánchezLinda Sánchez
Linda T. Sánchez is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. She is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
by a 29-33 margin.
Campaign for State Insurance Commissioner
In 2010, Hector De La Torre ran for California Insurance CommissionerCalifornia Insurance Commissioner
California Insurance Commissioner is an elected executive office position in California. The officeholder is in charge of the California Department of Insurance.The current Insurance Commissioner is Democrat Dave Jones.- Duties :...
, a position vacated by Republican Steve Poizner
Steve Poizner
Stephen Leo "Steve" Poizner is an American businessman/entrepreneur and conservative Republican politician, who was elected State Insurance Commissioner of California in November 2006, and concluded the 4 year term in January 2011...
, who ran unsuccessfully for Governor
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
. De La Torre ran on a platform of increasing access to health care and ensuring that patients get the best care from insurance companies. He has been endorsed by the California Nurses Association, the CA Professional Firefighters, the California Medical Association
California Medical Association
The California Medical Association is a professional organization representing more than 35,000 physicians in the state of California. The organization was founded in 1856 and is a member of the American Medical Association.-Audio-Digest Foundation:...
, and the California League of Conservation Voters
California League of Conservation Voters
The California League of Conservation Voters is a nonpartisan lobbying and educational organization which focuses on environmental issues affecting California....
. De La Torre lost in the Democratic primaries on June 8, 2010 to Dave Jones
Dave Jones (politician)
David Evan "Dave" Jones is an American politician. He represented California's 9th assembly district December 2004 through 2011...
by 39 to 61 margin.
California Air Resources Board
In October, 2011, California governor Jerry BrownJerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
appointed De La Torre to the California Air Resources Board
California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board, also known as CARB or ARB, is the "clean air agency" in the government of California. Established in 1967 in the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air Sanitation and the Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board, CARB is a department within the...
, filling the position vacated by Lydia Kennard.