Norma Torres Bio
Norma Judith Torres (née Barillas; born April 4, 1965) is an American politician serving as the United States representative for California’s 35th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, she has built a career in public service that began at the local level in Pomona and has grown to include seats in the California State Assembly, the California State Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Before entering politics, Torres worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and was active in labor organizing, experiences that shaped her focus on constituent services and worker protections.
Early Life and Background
Norma Judith Torres was born in Escuintla, Guatemala, and raised in the early years of her life by her mother in Central America. When she was five years old, she and her uncle came to the United States, settling in California and beginning a new chapter for the family. Her mother died about a year after the move, an event that had a lasting impact on Torres and her sense of responsibility.
She originally arrived on a tourist visa and later became a legal resident in her teens, going on to gain United States citizenship through naturalization in 1992. Torres has described her path to citizenship and her upbringing in a working-class immigrant household as central to her understanding of the issues facing her constituents. Her early life in Guatemala and her later years growing up in California informed her decision to pursue a career in public service.
Path to US Politics
Before running for office, Torres worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a job that put her in daily contact with the residents of Pomona and the challenges they faced. In 1994, she led a campaign that required the hiring of bilingual 9-1-1 operators, an early example of her focus on access and equity in public services. She was also an active member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), serving as shop steward for Local 3090.
Torres first entered elected office with a seat on the Pomona City Council, where she gained experience in local governance and community advocacy. In 2006, she was elected mayor of Pomona, becoming one of the most prominent Latina leaders in the region. Her time on the council and as mayor established her as a strong voice for working families and set the stage for her move to state-level politics.
Norma Torres Career
Early Career (2006–2008)
After her election as mayor of Pomona in 2006, Torres used the office to expand her profile in California politics. In 2008, she endorsed then-presidential candidate Barack Obama before Hillary Clinton withdrew from the race, and she served as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention that year. Later in 2008, she was elected to the California State Assembly, filling the vacancy left by retiring legislator Nell Soto.
While serving in the State Assembly, Torres continued her education in the labor field. In 2012, she earned a bachelor’s degree in labor studies from the National Labor College in Maryland, a program designed for working adults and union members. Her academic work, combined with her years as a labor organizer, helped frame her policy priorities in Sacramento.
State Senate Era (2013–2014)
Torres moved from the California State Assembly to the California State Senate, where she represented the 32nd State Senate district. Her time in the state legislature allowed her to focus on issues such as worker protections, immigrant rights, and access to government services. She built a reputation as a pragmatic lawmaker who worked across regional lines while staying loyal to progressive priorities.
U.S. House of Representatives Breakthrough (2014–Present)
Torres was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 35th congressional district in 2014, defeating Democrat Christina Gagnier with 63.5 percent of the vote. She was reelected in 2016, defeating Republican Tyler Fischella with 72.4 percent of the vote, and in 2018, she won again with 69.4 percent against Republican Christian Valiente. In 2020, she defeated Republican Mike Cargile with 69.3 percent of the vote, cementing her hold on the seat.
After being reelected to the House in November 2022, Torres publicly accused President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador of interfering in her race, noting that Bukele had urged voters to oppose her. As of 2025, she holds a 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America and an F grade from the Susan B. Anthony List for her abortion-related voting record, and she opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, calling the decision devastating for women’s rights.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Torres’s career are her 2006 election as mayor of Pomona, her 2014 entry into Congress, and her repeated strong reelection margins in California’s 35th district. Her 1994 campaign to require bilingual 9-1-1 operators stands out as an early policy win, and her vocal opposition to the overturning of Roe v. Wade marked her as a leading voice on reproductive rights in the House.
Norma Torres Family
Family Background and Personal Lineage
Torres was born into a Guatemalan family and came to the United States as a child with her uncle after her mother died. Her family background, marked by immigration and loss, has shaped her commitment to representing immigrant communities and working families in California. Public information about her parents and extended family remains limited, and Torres has generally kept those details private.
Personal Life
Norma Torres is married to Louis Torres, and the couple lives in Pomona, California. They have three sons, including Robert Torres, a former member of the Pomona City Council. Her family life in Pomona has remained closely tied to the community she has served throughout her career in public office.