For more than thirty years, Mark Takano has worked to improve the lives of Riverside County residents, both as an elected official and as a high school teacher.
Born and raised in Riverside, Mark’s commitment to public service began at an early age. His family roots in Riverside go back to his grandparents who, along with his parents, were sent to Japanese American Internment camps during World War II. After the war, these two families settled in Riverside County to rebuild their lives.
Mark attended La Sierra High School in the Alvord Unified School District, and in 1979 he graduated as the school’s valedictorian. Mark attended Harvard College and received his bachelor’s degree in Government in 1983. Upon graduation, Mark returned home and began teaching in the Rialto Unified School District in 1988. As a classroom teacher, Mark confronted the challenges in our public education system daily.
In 1990, Mark was elected to the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees. At RCC, Mark worked to improve higher education for young people and job training opportunities for adults seeking to learn a new skill or start a new career. He was elected Board President in 1991 and helped the Board and the District gain stability and direction amid serious fiscal challenges.
In 2012, Mark became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress.
Mark Takano represents the people of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley and Perris in the United States House of Representatives. He serves as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Christopher Street Project. As Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I remain steadfast in my commitment to protect our trans siblings. At a time when the Trump administration and its allies are actively targeting trans Americans, we must speak out and fight back. Our community’s dignity, safety, and rights are not up for debate—and I will never stop standing up for them in Congress.”
