Mark Takano

Mark Takano was born in Riverside, California, in 1960.[1] He earned a bachelor's degree in government from Harvard in 1983, and a Master's of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of California-Riverside in 2010.[2][1][3] He previously worked as a teacher.[1]

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The following issues were listed on Takano's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

Immigration Reform: Representative Mark Takano supports comprehensive immigration reform to bring the more than 12 million immigrants living in the United States without legal status out of the shadows.

Jobs for Local Families: Despite the national recovery, economic growth in Riverside County has been slow to rebound and unemployment remains high. As a teacher and College Board Trustee, Mark Takano has worked to expand local job training programs and job creating local investments like the new medical school at UCR Riverside. Bringing good-paying jobs to Riverside County will be his top priority in Congress.

Medicare & Social Security: Mark Takano understands the value of caring for our greatest generation. He will fight to stop the extreme Republican agenda in Congress and protect Medicare and Social Security for our seniors.

Education and Workforce Development: As a lifelong teacher, Mark Takano will bring practical knowledge to Washington D.C. about which educational reforms work, and which don’t. He is the only candidate with the knowledge skills and expertise to get the job done for our kids and our communities, by investing in the educational opportunities that strengthen – and expand – our Middle Class.

Veterans: Mark Takano believes we owe a debt to those who have defended our nation, and will not allow budget cuts to endanger their access to needed healthcare.

Takano's campaign website listed the following issues:[13]

Job Creation

Excerpt: "Despite the national recovery, economic growth in Riverside County has been slow to rebound and unemployment remains high. Mark Takano favors strategic investments in infrastructure -- upgrades including renovating school buildings, improving roads, highways and bridges, and moving forward with high speed rail -- that will create jobs and improve our community."

Education and Workforce Development

Excerpt: "For more than 20 years, Mark Takano has worked on the front lines of public education as a teacher at Rialto High School. He recognizes that economic prosperity in the future requires a strong investment in education and workforce training today. Mark supports reforming or ending the Federal mandates of "No Child Left Behind" and a renewed commitment to building an educational system that will prepare Americans to compete in the emerging economy."

Clean Air

Excerpt: "With Riverside County residents suffering some of the worst air quality in the nation, it is imperative that their member of Congress take a stand for cleaner air. Mark Takano supports strong clean air standards and broader use of clean energy resources."

Healthcare

Excerpt: "For generations, Medicare has provided American seniors with access to necessary medical care in a timely and affordable manner. Mark Takano will stand up against Republican efforts to privatize or defund Medicare, and will fight to make health coverage more affordable for working families."

National Security

Excerpt: "Securing our nation from foreign threats, including terrorism, must be a priority in Washington. Mark Takano recognizes that as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, new strategies will be needed to thwart those who would do us harm. Mark supports reducing the number of nuclear weapons worldwide to keep them out of dangerous hands. "