This is an archive of a past election.
See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/la/ for current information.
Los Angeles County, CA May 19, 2009 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Gil Cedillo

Candidate for
United States Representative; District 32

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

State Senator Gil Cedillo has a storied history of advocating for working, middle class, and immigrant families. From organizing to save 25,000 Los Angeles County jobs during the recession of the early nineties, to assimilating immigrants into our state's social and economic fabric, championing tough Homeland Security and Anti-Gang legislation, and expanding access to health care for working families, Senator Cedillo has been one of California's strongest and most forceful progressive advocates.

An early and ardent supporter of President Barack Obama, Senator Cedillo has always believed that the role of an elected official is to serve his constituents in a spirit of common purpose and a focus on community needs.

Last year, Senator Cedillo organized a bipartisan coalition of his colleagues and local elected officials in the San Gabriel Valley, to ensure Los Angeles County's recently passed transportation bond, Measure R, included San Gabriel Valley specific projects, such as new freeway off-ramps and subway extensions to local communities. Because of Senator Cedillo's work, $1.8 billion in new transportation projects will be implemented in the San Gabriel Valley.

Additionally, Senator Cedillo has worked with local district and city attorneys to create tough new laws to punish gang criminals and drug dealers. A groundbreaking law gives prosecutors the ability to demand economic compensation from gang members who do damage to local communities. The funds are then returned to those communities to fix the damages. Senator Cedillo's laws also stiffened laws for attempted murder and individuals selling narcotics near drug rehabilitation centers.

Before being elected to the California State Senate, Gil Cedillo served for two terms in the California Assembly. Prior to being elected to his service in the legislature, Senator Cedillo was the general manager of the Los Angeles county employees union, and, in that capacity, is best known for championing workers' rights at a time of massive threatened layoffs, prohibiting the dismantling of the Los Angeles County public health system, protecting libraries and youth programs, and saving more than 25,000 local jobs. He also played a critical role in securing federal assistance to ensure that the Los Angeles County Health Care system remained financially afloat.

Senator Cedillo is currently a candidate for the 32nd Congressional District. He is a standing member of the Senate committees on Public Safety, Transportation, Judiciary, Rules, and Housing. Senator Cedillo grew up in Boyle Heights, attended local schools, and graduated from UCLA in 1977.

Next Page: Additional Endorsements

Candidate Page || Feedback to Candidate || This Contest
May 2009 Home (Ballot Lookup) || About Smart Voter


The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any candidate or political party.
Created from information supplied by the candidate: May 13, 2009 21:03
Smart Voter   <http://www.smartvoter.org/>
Copyright © League of Women Voters of California Education Fund   http://ca.lwv.org