RIVERSIDE — Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on May 29 announced her support of Mark Takano, a public school teacher and candidate for the House of Representatives from the new 41st Congressional District.
“Mark Takano will work in Congress to help bring jobs to Riverside County, improve public schools and expand job training programs to secure a prosperous future for local families,” said Feinstein. “I am proud to support Mark Takano for Congress, and look forward to working alongside him.
“As a high school teacher, Mark Takano has 20 years of experience working with young people who are about to enter the workforce. He knows that education funding is an investment in the future of our economy. In Congress, Mark Takano will fight for better schools and better jobs for our children.”
Feinstein has served since 1993 in the U.S. Senate, where she serves as chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Prior to her election to the Senate, Feinstein served for nine years as mayor of San Francisco.
“There are few elected leaders in California with as distinguished a record of public service as Sen. Feinstein,” said Takano. “I am honored to have her support in this campaign. Sen. Feinstein works every day to bring good jobs to California and to protect our state’s natural treasures, and I look forward to joining her in that work.”
Other endorsers include Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Marta Macias Brown, widow of the late Rep. George Brown, who represented portions of the Inland Empire for more than 30 years.
Currently a member of the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees, Takano is expected to face off against Riverside County Supervisor John Tavaglione in November.
The top two vote-getters in tomorrow’s primary, regardless of party, will run against each other in the general election. In addition to Takano and Tavaglione, on the June 5 ballot are Democrat Anna Nevenic, a registered nurse and author; Republican Vince Sawyer, a construction supervisor and carpenter; and Republican George Pearne, a salesperson.
The new 41st District, located entirely within Riverside County, has no incumbent. Republican Ken Calvert, who defeated Takano in the old 43rd District 20 years ago, is now running in the new 42nd District.