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Terry Tornek

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Terry Tornek
Tornek (left) with Anthony Portantino, California State Senator, in 2018
55th Mayor of Pasadena
In office
May 4, 2015 – December 7, 2020
Preceded byBill Bogaard
Succeeded byVictor Gordo
Personal details
Born (1945-11-23) November 23, 1945 (age 78)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaria Elizabeth Mascoli
Alma materPrinceton University
Columbia University
ProfessionPlanning director

Terry Eliot Tornek (born November 23, 1945) is an American politician who was the mayor of Pasadena, California from 2015 to 2020. He previously served on the Pasadena City Council. On April 21, 2015, he defeated City Councilmember Jacque Robinson in the general election to replace Bill Bogaard, the longest-serving mayor in Pasadena's history. Tornek is the second longest-serving mayor in Pasadena's history.[1][2]

Tornek was born to Allen Vernon Tornek and Gertrude Slotkin Tornek in New York City. He was an urban renewal representative with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in New York City from 1968 to 1969.

Electoral history

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2015

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Pasadena general election, 2015
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Terry Tornek 8,549 54.4
Democratic Jacque Robinson 7,170 45.6
Total votes 15,719 100.0
Turnout  

2020

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Pasadena general election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Victor Gordo 37,187 54.82
Democratic Terry Tornek 30,650 45.18
Total votes 67,837 100.0
Turnout  

Early life

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On November 23, 1945, Tornek was born in New York City, New York.

Education

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Tornek graduated from Princeton University with a degree in international affairs and from Columbia University with a degree in urban planning.

Career

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In the late 1970s, Tornek's political career started on the city council of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Tornek served in the City of Pasadena planning department from 1982 to 1985, where he was involved in the revitalization of Old Pasadena, which included remodeling historic buildings and transforming it into a tourist destination with eateries and shops. It is now a National Landmark. He also worked in the private sector as a developer and planning director. Tornek was elected to the City Council from the 7th District in 2009 and reelected in 2013.

Tornek served on the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, the group that operates Hollywood Burbank Airport, representing Pasadena, as well as on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. He gave his seat to Pasadena council member John Kennedy in 2019.

Personal life

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In 1967, Tornek married Maria. They have three children. In the 1970s, they lived in Massachusetts. In 1982, the Torneks moved to Pasadena. Tornek has seven grandchildren.

References

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  1. ^ "Keep track of the flors". Los Angeles Times. 31 December 2015. p. 8.
  2. ^ "High Speed Rail Officials". Los Angeles Times. 21 August 2015. p. 7.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Pasadena
2015–present
Incumbent