Assemblyman Tony Mendoza touts ‘outsider’ role in campaign for Central Basin Water Board

By Brian Hews
California State Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is proud of being “an outsider” when it comes to this upcoming election for a seat on the Central Basin Water Board of Directors.
Mendoza, 41, is coming to the end of a voter mandated term limits as a member of the state assembly, and prior to that served three terms as an Artesia City Council member and past mayor.
A former school teacher at Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School in Los Angeles, Mendoza was also an active leader with the United Teachers of Los Angeles prior to his election to the State Assembly. He is married to his wife Leticia and they have four children who all attend local ABC Unified District schools.
Mendoza took many by surprise when he announced that he would be challenging three term incumbent Phil Hawkins for this year’s June campaign.
He told Los Cerritos Community Newspaper in an interview that “there are some serious issues that have been raised at the Central Basin Water Board. During the past 12 months, there has been article after article, and I have been asked by many local community leaders and voters to run for this position.”
“I am coming from Sacramento and I can hit the ground running, and you can go in there are really flush out the problems,” Mendoza quipped.
“I don’t shy away from getting to the truth,” he said.
When asked by Los Cerritos Community Newspaper Editor Jerry Bernstein if he taught if there was “corruption” at Central Basin Water District Mendoza said “I truly believe there is something there. When you hear and read about some of the instances going on it is truly disappointing.”
Mendoza said that Hawkins and other Central Basin Water Board Directors moved the election to this June in an “attempt to protect their incumbency” with voters. He called the actions of the current elected board members as being “self serving instead of serving the best interest of the voters.”

Mendoza also addressed a possible campaign for State Senate in 2014 by saying he “doesn’t know what he is doing next.”
“In politics is it all about opportunities, and when they arise,” he said. “My time is up in the Assembly, due to voter term limits,” Mendoza said.
“It isn’t my fault that term limits are in play in Sacramento,” Mendoza said.

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID; Midnight

(485558)

$887.26 (as of May 31, 2025 17:31 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Carhartt Men's Loose Fit Heavyweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt (Also Available in Big & Tall)

(465151164)

$19.99 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

GOOACC - GRC-33 240PCS Bumper Retainer Clips Car Plastic Rivets Fasteners Push Retainer Kit Most Popular Sizes Auto Push Pin Rivets Set -Door Trim Panel Fender Clips for GM Ford Toyota Honda Chrysler

(46573035)

$12.14 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Gildan Men's Crew T-Shirts, Multipack, Style G1100

(465309457)

$18.97 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Sparkling Ice, Black Raspberry Sparkling Water, Zero Sugar Flavored Water, with Vitamins and Antioxidants, Low Calorie Beverage, 17 fl oz Bottles (Pack of 12)

(465102809)

$10.98 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Nespresso Capsules Vertuo, Variety Pack, Medium and Dark Roast Coffee, 30 Count Coffee Pods, Brews 7.8 oz.

(485120789)

$39.05 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

essence | Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara | Volumizing & Lengthening | Cruelty Free & Paraben Free

(435390387)

$4.99 (as of May 30, 2025 05:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop Computer for Home and Business Student, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, 15.6" FHD, Intel Dual-Core Processor, WiFi 6, Bluetooth, Type-C, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro, Wendbo

(425463)

$429.00 (as of May 31, 2025 17:31 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

AIPER Cordless Automatic Pool Cleaner, Pool Vacuum with Auto- Parking, Lightweight, Ideal for Above Ground Flat Pool up to 860 sq.ft. (Renewed)

(5051)

$94.99 (as of May 31, 2025 17:31 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Wide Brim Solar Fan Hat, Hat with Fans Solar Power, Removable & USB Charging Fan, Sun Hats for Men Women Outdoor Fishing

(5054)

$26.98 (as of May 31, 2025 17:31 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)