Tom J. Bordonaro Jr. (born March 22, 1959) is an American politician serving as the AssessorofSan Luis Obispo County, California, since 2002. A Republican, he served two terms in the California State Assembly from 1994 to 1998, making him the first wheelchair-user to be elected to the legislative body.
Tom J. Bordonaro Jr.
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San Luis Obispo County Assessor | |
Assumed office 2002 | |
Preceded by | Dick Frank |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district | |
In office December 5, 1994 – November 30, 1998 | |
Preceded by | Andrea Seastrand |
Succeeded by | Abel Maldonado |
Personal details | |
Born | (1959-03-22) March 22, 1959 (age 65) Fullerton, California |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Martha (m. 1990) |
Children | 4 |
Education | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (BS) University of California, Davis (MS) |
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Born in Fullerton, California, his father's family is from Italy and his mother's family came to California from East Texas during the Dust Bowl.[1] Bordonaro graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a bachelor's degree in agricultural management and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of California, Davis.[2]
In his first year of college, Bordonaro was left quadrapalegic after breaking his neck in a car crash.[1]
Bordonaro was elected to the California State Assembly in 1994 representing the 33rd district, representing parts of the lower Central Coast. He was the first wheelchair-user elected to the legislative body.[2]
Bordonaro ran in the 1998 special election replacing Walter Capps, who died of a heart attack after taking office. Considered the more conservative candidate, he won the Republican nomination over Newt Gingrich-endorsed Assemblyman Brooks Firestone[1]. Gerald Ford had previously described Bordonaro as an "extremist" for his stance on abortion and Democratic nominee Lois Capps used the quote in media attacks against him.[3][4] Capps, Walter's widow, ultimately won with 53.46% to Bordonaro's 44.78% of the total vote. He ran in the regularly scheduled general election and lost again.
He was elected San Luis Obispo County Assessor in 2002, defeating 25-year incumbent Dick Frank, and has been unnoposed in every election besides 2018.[2]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Lois Capps | 93,392 | 53.46% | |
Republican | Tom Bordonaro | 78,224 | 44.78% | |
Libertarian | Robert Bakhaus | 3,079 | 1.76% | |
Total votes | 174,695 | 100.00% | ||
Turnout | ||||
Democratic hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
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Democratic | Lois Capps (incumbent) | 111,388 | 55.09% | |
Republican | Tom J. Bordonaro Jr. | 86,921 | 42.99% | |
Libertarian | Robert Bakhaus | 2,618 | 1.29% | |
Reform | Richard D. "Dick" Porter | 1,263 | 0.62% | |
Total votes | 202,190 | 100.0% | ||
Turnout | ||||
Democratic hold |
Bordonaro and his wife, Martha, live on a farm in Paso Robles. The couple have four children and two grandchildren.[2]
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by | California State Assemblyman, 33rd District December 5, 1994 - November 30, 1998 |
Succeeded by |
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