Norma TorresServing

Norma Torres

U.S. HouseDemocrat

CA-35 U.S. House

Age 60·Guatemalan (born in Escuintla, Guatemala; immigrated at age 5 during Guatemalan Civil War)·U.S. Representative CA-35 (2015-present)

Why This Race Matters

Norma Torres is running against Mike Cargile (R, repeat challenger); Michael Horvath (R); W.H. Lane (D).

Torres is the only member of Congress born in Central America and the only Guatemalan-American ever elected to Congress, making her an irreplaceable voice on immigration and Central America policy. As co-chair of the Congressional Central America Caucus she founded, Torres shapes U.S. policy toward the Northern Triangle from seats on both the Appropriations and Rules Committees -- a dual assignment no other member holds simultaneously. In 2025, she joined the lawsuit against the Trump-Vance administration for blocking congressional oversight of ICE detention facilities, winning a preliminary court order affirming lawmakers' right to unannounced visits.

CA-35 is rated Solid Democratic by Cook, Inside Elections, and Sabato (D+8 PVI). Torres won 2024 with 58.4% over Republican Mike Cargile (41.6%). Cargile is running again in 2026 alongside Republican Michael Horvath and Democrat W.H. Lane in the nonpartisan top-two primary. Torres secured $21 million in FY26 community projects for CA-35. District boundaries may shift under Proposition 50 (mid-decade redistricting approved Nov 2025).

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Norma Torres represents California's 35th Congressional District and is the first Guatemalan-American and first Central American immigrant ever elected to Congress. Born in Escuintla, Guatemala in 1965, she was sent to live with an uncle in Whittier, California at age 5 due to the civil war; her mother died from heart disease a year later. Torres worked 17 years as an LAPD 911 dispatcher, where a formative experience—a young girl murdered after being placed on hold waiting for a Spanish-speaking operator—ignited her political career. She became Pomona's first Latina Mayor in 2006, then served in the California Assembly and Senate before winning election to Congress in 2014.

Family & Heritage

Born Norma Judith Barillas in Escuintla, Guatemala. At age 5, parents sent her to live with an uncle in Whittier, California to escape the Guatemalan Civil War. Her mother died from heart disease one year after Norma's departure. Grew up as one of the few Latino families on her street. Married to Louis Torres; three sons: Robert, Matthew, and Christopher (Air Force veteran and current law enforcement officer). Lifelong Pomona resident.

Political Career

Before Politics

911 dispatcher with Los Angeles Police Department for 17 years (1990-2008); led campaign for bilingual 911 operators; secured $350,000 for computer system upgrades; established community outreach program; member of AFSCME Local 3090

Education

B.A. Labor Studies, National Labor College (2012)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Central America policy and root causes of migration
*Immigration reform and family reunification
*Human rights and anti-corruption in Northern Triangle
*Public safety and 911 modernization
*Affordable housing
*Transportation and infrastructure for Inland Empire
*Military justice reform

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