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| Norma Torres | |
|---|---|
| Name | Norma Torres |
| Birth date | 4 April 1965 |
| Birth place | Escuintla, Guatemala |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Ralph Torres |
| Alma mater | California State University, Los Angeles (BA) |
Norma Torres is an American politician and former municipal official who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives representing portions of San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the California State Senate and the California State Assembly and as a mayor and councilmember in the city of Pomona. Her legislative focus has included immigration, labor, transportation, and human rights.
Born in Escuintla, Guatemala, Torres immigrated to the United States as a child and was raised in Los Angeles County. She attended local public schools and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles. During her formative years she became involved with community organizations linked to immigrant rights, labor advocacy groups, and faith-based institutions in the San Gabriel Valley.
Torres began public service as a community organizer and was elected to the Pomona City Council, later serving as Mayor of Pomona. In municipal roles she worked with regional agencies such as the San Bernardino Associated Governments and collaborated with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority on transit and infrastructure projects. She was elected to the California State Assembly representing parts of the Inland Empire and later served in the California State Senate, where she participated in budget negotiations with the Governor of California's office and sponsored bills touching on labor standards, public safety, and human services. Her state-level alliances included relationships with members of the California Legislative Hispanic Caucus, the California Legislative Black Caucus, and the California Legislative Women's Caucus.
Torres was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election to fill a vacancy, succeeding a member who had assumed an U.S. Senate seat. In Congress she represents a district encompassing portions of Rialto, Ontario, Pomona, and Upland. Her tenure has included work on federal appropriations through engagement with the House Appropriations Committee and participation in delegations to meetings involving the U.S. Department of State on issues affecting the Western Hemisphere. She has been active on matters related to border policy while coordinating with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and humanitarian organizations operating along the U.S.–Mexico border.
Torres has advocated for comprehensive immigration reform, often aligning with proposals supported by the National Immigration Law Center and advocacy by the American Civil Liberties Union. She has supported legislation expanding Social Security protections and has backed labor-friendly measures promoted by the AFL–CIO. On transportation, she has sponsored bills to increase funding for the Federal Transit Administration and to improve commuter rail services connected to the Southern California Association of Governments. Torres has been outspoken on human rights issues in Central America, partnering with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and international bodies like the Organization of American States to address gang violence and migration drivers. She has supported criminal justice reforms proposed by bipartisan groups in the U.S. Congress and backed healthcare measures in line with proposals from the House Democratic Leadership.
During her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Torres has served on the House Appropriations Committee with subcommittee roles affecting transportation, housing, and labor-related spending. She is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and has participated in the Congressional Progressive Caucus-affiliated policy efforts as well as coalitions addressing women's issues, such as the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Torres has joined task forces and working groups focused on trade with Central America and on bipartisan infrastructure initiatives coordinated with the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Torres's electoral career includes multiple wins at the municipal, state, and federal levels. She was elected to the Pomona City Council, served as Mayor of Pomona, won a seat in the California State Assembly and later the California State Senate, and secured election to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election followed by reelection campaigns. Her congressional campaigns have attracted endorsements from state-level officials including the Governor of California and labor organizations such as the California Federation of Labor, as well as support from national entities like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from California Category:California state senators Category:California State University, Los Angeles alumni Category:American politicians of Guatemalan descent