First published in the Feb. 4 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
California state Sen. Anthony Portantino, a Burbank resident, announced Monday his campaign for Congress to succeed U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff in District 30.
Schiff, a Democrat, who has represented Burbank in congress since 2001, announced his candidacy for U.S. senate last week. He is vying for the seat currently held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
“While Washington continues to be dysfunctional and our democracy is under daily attack, there is no time for on-the-job training or ineffective leadership,” said Portantino, a Democrat.
“Congressional dysfunction is creating real life-and-death consequences for us at home as our community suffers from gun violence, the impacts of climate change and politicians who want to push our economy to the breaking point. I am not afraid to take on special interests. But I’m also an optimist with a passion to serve and I want to continue working for you in Congress.”
In the Legislature, Portantino has championed increased funding for public education, and authored environmental protection and health care laws. He has also fought the NRA in Sacramento, passing legislation requiring safe gun storage, raising the minimum firearm purchase age to 21, and imposing additional open carry restrictions.
“Congratulations to my friend, Congressman Adam Schiff, on his decision to run for the U.S. Senate. Adam is the very definition of a tough act to follow. I admire his tireless commitment to our district, his courage and character for holding the Trump administration accountable and his confident, unflappable leadership during tumultuous times.”
Portantino represents California’s 25th state Senate District, which includes Burbank and many San Fernando Valley communities and adjacent Los Angeles neighborhoods along the 210 Freeway. He was a member of the California state Assembly from 2006 to 2012, representing the 44th Assembly District, and has held his position in the state Senate since 2016.
Portantino’s spouse, Ellen Portantino, is an executive at NBC/Universal. The couple has lived in the congressional district since they settled in their first apartment on Los Feliz Boulevard. They moved to Burbank last year.
