CAMPAIGN NEWS: Congressman Adam Schiff Endorses Mayor Victor Gordo’s Re-Election

On Monday, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo announced the endorsement by United States Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) of Gordo’s re-election campaign.

Congressman Schiff, who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000, represents California’s 30th District, which includes a portion of Pasadena. Schiff and Gordo have a history of working collaboratively to bring funding to Pasadena, including a recent effort to secure resources for the city’s historic Rose Bowl Stadium.

In a statement released in support of Mayor Gordo’s re-election campaign, Congressman Schiff praised Gordo’s work as Mayor.

“Throughout his career, Victor Gordo has helped create a better future for Pasadena. As Mayor, Victor has worked with community leaders and key stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to create affordable housing, address homelessness, and improve mental health services,” Schiff said. “Having worked alongside Victor for many years, I know how committed he is to serving the hard-working families of Pasadena. That’s why I’m proud to endorse his re-election campaign for Mayor.”

Schiff’s endorsement comes after Mayor Gordo announced the support of U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, adding to his list of endorsers which includes U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Pasadena Firefighters Local 809, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair Mark Gonzalez, and former Mayor of Pasadena Bill Bogaard.

Born in Mexico, Gordo immigrated to the United States with his parents as a young child. The oldest of six kids, he grew up in Pasadena and attended Pasadena public schools. Both of his parents worked two jobs to provide for their family. Victor’s father was a dishwasher and cook at Ranchero’s Mexican Restaurant for 50 years while his late mother was a seamstress.

From age nine until he was 17 years old, Gordo delivered the Pasadena Star-News newspaper every day before school and every weekend. He also worked evenings and weekends at Ranchero’s Mexican Restaurant to help contribute to his family. He played football, baseball and soccer in high school and became the first person in his family to go to college.

Gordo attended Pasadena City College before transferring to Azusa Pacific University. However, shortly after his mother passed away, he was forced to give up his college dream to help raise his siblings. As his siblings got older, Gordo was able to continue his formal education and was accepted to law school. He drove 35 miles each way to class every night while working full-time and graduated with honors one year ahead of his class.

Gordo is a labor leader who is also the longest-serving president of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, leading it through a successful renovation.

Gordo served as Pasadena City Councilmember for almost 19 years.

He is married to his wife Kelly, an elementary school teacher in the El Monte Unified School District, and they have two children, Michael and Emma.

For more information please visit victorgordoformayor.com.