Cardenas Envisions a Future of Change

Before too long, Tony Cardenas is bound to bring up economic development for the northeast San Fernando Valley.

Cardenas, who in November was elected the first Latino state legislator from the Valley, pictures a setup in which local businesses--especially mom-and-pop shops--eagerly and routinely pursue expansion options. Loans are available, so businesses grow, jobs are created and life is good, he says.

The state could help by creating satellite economic development office in the area to encourage expansion, in part by explaining loan options and investment opportunities.

But Cardenas now knows that there is no way it will happen as quickly as he would like.

That is the reality of Sacramento politics.

“I realized that I wasn’t going to come up here and change the world right away,” Cardenas, 34, said recently. “But I’m working on it bit by bit.”

Cardenas beat Republican Ollie M. McCaulley for the 39th Assembly District seat representing the northeast Valley, which runs from Sylmar south to Sun Valley and includes Pacoima, Lake View Terrace and the city of San Fernando. He succeeded Democratic Assemblyman Richard Katz, who left office because of term limits.

So far, Cardenas has stuck to his preelection goals, which include improving economic opportunities, education and the relationship between area residents and law enforcement authorities.

Cardenas, the youngest of 11 children, often credits his parents with teaching him the value of being devoted to family and sincere in all aspects of his life.

He is proud of having spent his life in the district, attending local public schools and graduating from San Fernando High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UC Santa Barbara in 1986.

The assemblyman lives in Sylmar and owns a real estate company in Pacoima. He and his wife, Norma, have a daughter, Vanessa, 13, and two sons, Cristian, 4, and Andres, 2.