Meet Tomás

Experienced, dedicated leadership. 

Growing up, I thought getting groceries with food stamps was normal. While it is the reality of thousands of families across the region, it shouldn’t be. 

No parent should worry how they are going to feed their children when school lunches are threatened. No one should debate going to the doctor when they’re sick or paying their rent. It is inexcusable for elected officials to look out for their self-interests while voting against their constituents. 

I’m not another out-of-touch politician. I’m a kid from El Centro who grew up on food stamps and government assistance. I know firsthand policy is personal. 

My family first moved to El Centro when I was very young, to be closer to family in Mexicali, after my father was diagnosed with a chronic illness and could not work. Due to this, my family dynamics became non-traditional as my mother went from a house wife to the breadwinner, getting her master’s degree and working as an educator for over two decades at Ben Hulse Elementary School in Imperial, CA.

These experiences helped me understand the importance of hard work, compassion, and the power of having a strong voice in your corner. 

After graduating from University of California San Diego, I started my career in public service as a Polanco Fellow, working in the California Attorney General’s Office and the California State Assembly. I learned the impact decisions made in Sacramento have in communities throughout California. 

Throughout my career I have made it a mission to take care of my neighbors, because I know what happens when we don’t. I have seen challenges grow over time – one day it affects one neighbor; and when left unresolved, tomorrow it affects the entire community.

While working in the offices of California Assemblymembers and United States Congressmembers, I helped constituents access their unemployment benefits, assisted seniors in getting their Medi-Cal/Medicare to cover their prescriptions, and made sure veterans were able to receive the benefits they fought for.  

As an Adjunct Professor at Imperial Valley College I have seen how policy choices in Sacramento have a direct impact on individual’s lives. From the students who chose to attend a community college because the cost of a four-year university was too high, to the incarcerated students I taught at Centinela State Prison and Calipatria State Prison, they seek education to improve their economic circumstances or get a second chance at life. The policies made in Sacramento should fulfill the promise that through education and training a person can achieve a better life. 

I was first elected to El Centro City Council in 2018 and served until 2025. While on the City Council I was dedicated to course correcting the decades of neglect, underfunding, and underserving our region had faced. As Councilmember and Mayor we opened new parks, a new aquatic center, hundreds of units of attainable housing, a new city library, and started building a new police station.  

My proudest accomplishment as Mayor is saving the El Centro Medical Center from closure. A feat that took a high level of personal sacrifice: my resignation from City Council. When I realized closed-door corrupt deals were occurring, risking the healthcare of thousands of my neighbors, I was faced with a choice: stay silent and save the career I had worked for, or be able to sleep at night knowing I had protected the people who had trusted me with power. I resigned, blowing the whistle on elected officials trying to protect their own interests, and the community showed up to speak out against corruption. Together, we were able to keep our neighbors safe and healthy, and ensure the preservation of the Imperial Valley Healthcare District. 

 I am running to be your Assemblymember because I believe our communities need a strong voice fighting for them in Sacramento to get the resources we deserve.