The Hill’s 2012 New Members Guide

Rep.-elect Mark Takano (D-Calif.-41)

DATE OF BIRTH: Dec. 10, 1960

BIRTHPLACE: Riverside, Calif.

RESIDENCE: Riverside, Calif.

OCCUPATION: Teacher 

EDUCATION: B.A., Harvard; M.A., University of California, Riverside

PREVIOUS OFFICE HELD: California State Assembly (2006-present); president of Marin Municipal Water District Board (1995-2006)

FAMILY: N/A

High school teacher Mark Takano needed three tries to make his way to Congress. 

Twenty years went by between his first failed run and his win this year. In 1992, Takano ran for the open seat against GOP Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) but lost by 550 votes. In 1994, he tried for the seat once more and again was displaced by Calvert. 

But 18 years later, the redistricting process drew Calvert into new territory. Takano takes office in the newly created 41st district, which makes up a portion of the district he ran in 18 years ago. 

Prior to his first congressional run, Takano was elected to the Riverside Community College board of trustees, where he has sat since in 1990. He was elected president the next year. 

He is a supporter of job training and technical education, and opposes the No Child Left Behind law.