Press Releases

Republicans, Democrats Unite To Support A Teacher

Teacher and Assemblymember Tom Torlakson, the California Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced today new support from many of the state’s top Republican leaders. Citing his credibility as a current teacher and his ability to build agreement across party lines, leaders across the aisle have joined together in a rare moment of political consensus.

“Education must always be a non-partisan issue,” Former Senate Republican Leader Jim Brulte said in his endorsement of Mr. Torlakson, “and Tom’s proven record of building bipartisan support shows me that he knows what needs to be done to bring California back to the top!”

Former Secretary of Education Dave Long has also announced his support of Torlakson, saying, “The fact that Tom is still a teacher to this day separated him in the primaries and continues to separate him from others. Successfully managing California’s 9,900 public schools and more than 6 million students will take the expertise, experience, and collaborative skills of Tom Torlakson.”

Torlakson also announced more Republican endorsements including: Former Los Angeles Mayor and former State Secretary of Education Richard Riordan, Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca, Senator Bob Dutton, Senator Bill Emmerson, Former Senate Republican Caucus Chair Maurice Johannessen, Former Senator Bob Margett, Assemblymember Anthony Adams, Assemblymember Tom Berryhill, Assemblymember Connie Conway, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, Assemblymember Diane Harkey, Assemblymember Brian Nestande, Contra Costa County Supervisor and Delta Protection Commissioner Mary Peipho, Former San Diego City Councilmember and President of the California League of Cities Jim Madafer, Former Superintendent of Monterey County and past President of the Association of California Schools Administrators Bill Barr, and Taft City Unified School District Trustee Les Clark.

A second-generation teacher, Torlakson has applied his experience as a science teacher and high school coach to reform the way public education works as a member of the State Legislature. Torlakson has acted to improve student nutrition and physical education, give schools the funding support they need to ensure academic achievement, and reduce the dropout rate. He has also worked diligently to protect education funding.

As Superintendent for Public Instruction, Torlakson will work to ensure parents can send their children to a safe, high-quality school in their own neighborhood. He also wants to expand career and technical education for high school students, protect college-prep courses and arts and music programs, fight to reduce the drop-out rate and close the achievement gap, and make sure the management of local school districts measures up to the highest standards of excellence.

To view Tom Torlakson’s an expanded endorsement list, please go to www.TomTorlakson.com.

The Tom Torlakson for Superintendent campaign announced a comprehensive list of San Diego-area endorsements today.

Over the weekend, Torlakson won a key endorsement from the San Diego Union-Tribune, which wrote that he "has bipartisan support... and offers thoughtful plans for getting businesses more involved with schools to help shape a better-prepared and more productive work force."

Torlakson is also endorsed by Congressman Bob Filner, State Senator Christine Kehoe, Assemblymember Lori Saldana, Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher, Assemblymember Mary Salas, Assemblymember Marty Block, Former Assemblymember Howard Wayne, 40th Senate District nominee Juan Vargas, San Diego City Council President Ben Hueso, the San Diego School Police Officers Association, SDUSD Board Member Frank Barrera, SDUSD Board Member John Lee Evans, SDUSD Board Member Rich Grosch, SDUSD Board Member Sheila Jackson, Former San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Jim Madaffer, San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego School Police Officers Association, Vista Firefighters Association IAFF Local 4107, Lemon Grove Councilmember George Gastil, Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka, Coronado Unified School District Board Member Doug Metz, National City Vice Mayor Alejandra Sotelo-Solis, and the Democratic Party of San Diego.

A second-generation teacher, Torlakson has applied his experience as a science teacher and high school coach to reform the way public education works as a member of the State Legislature. Torlakson has acted to improve student nutrition and physical education, give schools the funding support they need to ensure academic achievement, and reduce the dropout rate. He has also worked diligently to protect education funding.

As Superintendent for Public Instruction, Torlakson will work to ensure parents can send their children to a safe, high-quality school in their own neighborhood. He also wants to expand career and technical education for high school students, protect college-prep courses and arts and music programs, fight to reduce the drop-out rate and close the achievement gap, and make sure the management of local school districts measures up to the highest standards of excellence.

More information on Torlakson's campaign and his endorsements can be found at www.TomTorlakson.com.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      CONTACT: Craig Cheslog (925-708-5845)
Thursday, May 27, 2010

CONCORD--State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced today that he has endorsed Assemblymember Tom Torlakson in the campaign to succeed him as the chief of California's public school system. The election for the non-partisan office will take place on June 8, 2010.

"I proudly endorse Tom Torlakson to be California's next Superintendent of Public Instruction. As a teacher and education reformer in the legislature, Tom has demonstrated the energy, creativity, experience, and passion to put children first," said O'Connell. "Tom will continue the fight to reform our school system. He is a proven coalition builder, and someone I know will bring people together to improve our schools. On June 8th, I urge all Californians to cast a vote for our kids' future by voting for Tom Torlakson for Superintendent of Public Instruction."

O'Connell will be leaving office in January 2011, the end of this second four-year term, because of term limits. He has served as State Superintendent of Public Instruction since January 2003. O'Connell previously served as a member of the State Assembly (1982-1994) and State Senate (1994-2002).

"I'm very honored to receive this endorsement from Superintendent Jack O'Connell," said Torlakson. "Under Jack's leadership, we've increased student achievement during a time when our education system has suffered from deep budget cuts. As Superintendent of Public Instruction, I will work hard to build on his legacy of success."

With O'Connell's endorsement, Torlakson has earned the endorsements of the two previous State Superintendents of Public Instruction. Delaine Eastin, who held the office from 1995-2003, was featured at Torlakson's campaign kickoff in April 2009. Torlakson has also been endorsed by former California Secretary of Education David Long, who served under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Torlakson has applied his experience as a high school science teacher and high school coach to reform the way public education works as a member of the State Legislature. Torlakson has acted to improve student nutrition and physical education, give schools the funding support they need to ensure academic achievement, and reduce the dropout rate. He has also worked diligently to protect education funding.

As Superintendent for Public Instruction, Torlakson will work to ensure parents can send their children to a safe, high-quality school in their own neighborhood. He also wants to prepare our youth for the real world after high school by expanding career and technical education for high school students, protecting college-prep courses and arts and music programs, fighting to reduce the drop-out rate and close the achievement gap, and making sure the management of local school districts measures up to the highest standards of excellence.

Torlakson has also been endorsed by individuals and organizations representing nearly three million Californians. Some of Torlakson's endorsers include: the California Federation of Teachers, California School Employees Association, California Teachers Association, California Faculty Association, California Labor Federation, California State Building and Construction Trades Council, California Association of Bilingual Educators, California Nurses Association, California National Organization for Women PAC, California Professional Firefighters, California Young Democrats, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Equality California, California SEIU State Council, United Food and Commercial Workers, and many other individuals and organizations. More information on Torlakson's campaign and his endorsers can be found at www.TomTorlakson.com.

###