California state senator Anthony Portantino (D – 25th District) has been intimately tied to the San Fernando Valley and its constituents for over two decades and now says he ready for the next level of government.
Portantino filed as a candidate for California’s 30th congressional district last month when Adam Schiff (D) announced that he would be running for Dianne Feinstein’s (D) senate seat. The 30th congressional district has been held by Schiff since 2001. Running for Schiff’s seat came out of a desire to serve, according to Portantino, who said Schiff was a “fantastic” representative who leaves “big shoes” to fill. “I love being a public servant. Congressman Schiff is moving on to the senate and has created this opportunity.” Said Portantino. “I want to continue to do that, to make California better, the state and district better and then obviously, the country better.” Originally from New Jersey he came to California with his wife Ellen, whom he met at Albright College. As a La Cañada Flintridge City Council member for eight years, Portantino learned about the organizations and people that make up a community. He also learned how to talk to them. “Talk to people in the grocery store, the post office,” said Portantino. “I tell a lot of politicians that if you don’t want to talk to people then this isn’t the business to go into — community and accessibility is really important.”. Portantino's sees his deep connection to the local community as a strength. He has a “close” relationship with the Pasadena Black community, serving as an official in the 2023 Pasadena Black Parade. It is one of the oldest parades celebrating Black history in the Southern California. Portantino believes in being accessible, and says he often gives his cell number to constituents. During his time as a California state senator, he has championed public education, supported the Armenian population, fought for mental health treatment, defended the LGBTQ+ community, pushed gun control and supported other Democratic policies. He has also advocated for changes in policing and pointed out the need for systematic improvements. “I created a grant program in Glendale for the Glendale police department to hire social workers to prepare to respond to certain police calls,” said Portantino. “So, it's not a uniformed police officer. It's a social worker, and that's a cutting-edge modernization of policing that we're going to need.” Although he has spent most of his career in local politics, he is not unfamiliar with bigger issues. His district has a large Armenian community, and he claims to be one of the first local politicians to visit Armenia, four times, during the war in Artsakh, according to an article by the Armenian Committee of America. He spent time in the warzone on some of his visits and is chair of the select committee for California and Armenia relations and has negotiated trade agreements between California and Armenia. He also supports President Joe Biden’s recent trip to the Ukraine, showing “great leadership” earlier this month. Portantino says that the jump to federal government is something he is ready for. “I have met with the leaders of other countries, multiple times, I've been to a significant number of Senate trade delegations and, local delegations where I've met with Prime ministers and heads of state,” said Portantino. “I'm comfortable in international relations, and I think that's something that sets me aside from other folks.” Portantino’s political career has also been informed by tragedy. His brother, Michael Portantino, was a gay rights activist and publisher of San Diego’s Gay and Lesbian Times. Portantino says he looked up to his brother and that they were very close. Michael Portantino took his own life in 2010 after jumping from a seven-story building, according to a report in the L.A. Times. “What I learned in the aftermath of my brother's suicide is just how many families have dealt with mental health issues,” said Portantino, “and how many people will come up to me on a daily basis and talk about a family member who was struggling with mental health.” Moving forward Portantino continues working on his duties as a state senator while running or congress. He is Chair of the Appropriations Committee, and on the Joint Legislative Budget and introduced several bills this year, including SB 234, which makes Narcan more available in many public spaces, several gun law refinements and SB 834 which would provide $25 billion bond for housing construction. His view on connecting local politics to the congress is something he intends to take with him to congress. “We are part of the community,” said Portantino, “and I have an earnest perspective. I think that's the difference.” |
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