Sen. Ed Hernandez is an optometrist turned state legislator who has developed a reputation in Sacramento as the champion of eye doctors, with the occasional populist streak.
Hernandez was born in La Puente in the suburbs east of Los Angeles, a town he now represents in Sacramento and the location of the optometry office he runs with his wife. Hernandez says he will bring his homegrown, salt-of-the-earth values to the position of Lieutenant Governor—and with the backing of organized labor. Like his opponent for this job, Hernandez is the first in his family to attend college.
Interests:
- Health care
- Increased funding for public education
- Expanding scope of practice for optometrists
Letters of Recommendation:
- California Labor Federation
- California Teachers Association
- California Statewide Law Enforcement Association
- California Nurses Association
- Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California
- Attorney General Xavier Becerra
- Los Angeles Times editorial board
Contact Information:
Edhernandez4ca.com @dredhernandez
The Resume of Ed Hernandez
California State Senator, 2010 – Present
- As chair of the Senate Health Committee, introduced bills making California the first state to ban short-term health insurance plans, tighten regulations on rehab clinics, force pharmaceutical companies to publicly justify large price hikes, and raise the state smoking age to 21
- Authored a proposed constitutional amendment to repeal the statewide ban on affirmative action programs in public higher education
California State Assembly member, 2006 – 2010
- Carried unsuccessful legislation that would have required girls entering the sixth grade to receive vaccinations against human papillomavirus
