Senator Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia), a former school teacher and Los Angeles native represented the 32nd Senate District from December 2014 until his resignation on February 22, 2018. He previously served for six years in the State Assembly representing the 56th Assembly District.
Mendoza grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach and his Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Los Angeles and taught elementary school in East Los Angeles for a decade.
In 1997, he was elected to the Artesia City Council, becoming the first Latino and youngest councilmember at the age of 25. A year later he became mayor. Mendoza served three terms on the Artesia City Council before running for the State Assembly in 2006.
During his Senate tenure, Mendoza Chaired the Insurance, Banking & Financial Institutions Committee, and served on the Committees on Budget and Fiscal Review, Education, Governmental Organization, and Transportation & Housing.