39th District’s Cardenas Becomes 1st Latino Legislator From Valley

Tony Cardenas, the first Latino state legislator from the San Fernando Valley, expressed confidence Wednesday that family values, mixed with hard work and a love for the area where he grew up, would bring him success in Sacramento.

“I think I have the potential of being one of the best legislators the state of California has ever seen,” said Cardenas, 33, a political newcomer who Tuesday night easily beat Republican Ollie M. McCaulley for the 39th Assembly District seat representing the northeast Valley.

“I consider myself to be very grounded in my values.”

For Cardenas, who was happily reviewing election night results at his Osborne Street office with his wife, Norma, the path to political success will be somewhat traditional, but also one that will feature dogged determination.

The heavily Democratic district--running from Sylmar south to Sun Valley and including Pacoima, Lake View Terrace and the city of San Fernando--needs to improve economic opportunities, education and relationships between residents and law enforcement authorities, he said.

The district could also benefit from legislators spending residents’ tax dollars more efficiently, Cardenas said.

“Any community, I’m sure, would like to see a positive change. We’re no different,” he said. “I feel very confident with my ability and my ability to perform. I’m not going to be intimidated.”

Cardenas will succeed outgoing Assemblyman Richard Katz, who could not run again because of the term-limit law.

Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon, who also represents most of the northeast Valley, said support for Cardenas was based far more on his emergence as the best candidate for a widely diverse constituency than on his Latino roots. Non-Latino voters also clearly viewed Cardenas as the person they wanted in Sacramento, he said.

“I’m very proud and pleased,” Alarcon said. “I think it does send a message that we have quality people who are emerging from the grass roots. I believe he is going to be a fair representative of all the people, as I have tried to be.”

Cardenas, who lives in Sylmar and owns a real estate company in Pacoima, said his strong confidence is not generated by arrogance. Rather, his parents instilled a sense of responsibility that goes a long way toward creating good results, he said.

He said his father, Andres, who died three years ago, was especially influential. The elder Cardenas moved to the area from Mexico years ago and raised a family of 11 children despite having only a first-grade education and working as a migrant farm worker and laborer all his life.

His father taught him the value of being sincere and devoted to family and good causes, Cardenas said.

Cardenas, the youngest in his family, attended public schools, graduating from San Fernando High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UC Santa Barbara in 1986.

He has two sons--Cristian, 3, and Andres, 2--and a stepdaughter, Vanessa, 12.

He entered politics largely because he was annoyed at the idea of outsiders with political aspirations moving into the district and using it as a launching pad. Cardenas decided to step in as someone who has spent his life in the district.

In Sacramento, he expects to be active with the Latino Caucus, as well as with legislators who might help him do a better job.

“If you want to be successful you have to identify people who have been successful and have a track record of being effective,” he said. “It would please me to see someone who I mentored or encouraged to enter this level of responsibility. Even if they ran against me I would be pleased.”