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Clarissa Cervantes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member-elect of the California State Assembly from the 58th district | |
| Assuming office December 2, 2024 | |
| Succeeding | Sabrina Cervantes |
| Member of the Riverside City Council for the 2nd Ward | |
| Assumed office July 13, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Andy Melendrez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1990 (age 33–34) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Sabrina Cervantes (sister) |
Clarissa Cervantes (born 1990) is an American politician who is a member-elect of the California State Assembly since 2024. The sister of politician Sabrina Cervantes, she[a] was previously a member of the Riverside City Council from 2021 until 2024.
Political career
editPrior to her election to the Riverside City Council, she was a field representative for councilmember Andy Melendrez. In 2021, she announced that she would be running for Riverside City Council for the 2nd Ward after Melendrez announced that he would be retiring by the end of the term.[2] She went against five other candidates, and avoided a runoff election after earning 52.06% of the vote.[3] She was sworn in on July 13, 2021, becoming the second Latina and second LGBTQ+ person to be elected to the Riverside City Council.[4] In September 2021, Cervantes filed a libel lawsuit against Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco after he claimed that she supported a protest that damaged a city courthouse.[5][6]
In 2022, Cervatnes announced that she would be running to succeed Sabrina's seat in the California State Assembly after Sabrina announced her run for California State Senate.[7] She declared victory over fellow Riverside Councilor Ronaldo Fierro to face Republican Leticia Castillo in the general election.[8]
Personal life
editCervantes identifies as bisexual and queer and has a daughter.[1][9]
In 2014, Cervantes was arrested for driving under the influence on California State Route 60. She pleaded guilty to charges of having a blood-alcohol level nearly double the legal limit and received a sentence of three years' probation and 10 days of electronic monitoring. She was also ordered to attend a DUI offender's class and was fined $2,541.[10] After having the previous DUI charge dismissed by a judge in 2023, she was arrested again for another DUI weeks later. She pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor two months after her arrest and was placed on summary probation for 36 months.[11][12]
Electoral history
edit| Year | Office | Party | Primary | General | Result | Swing | Ref. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | % | P. | Total | % | P. | ||||||||
| 2021 | Riverside City Council | Nonpartisan | 2,627 | 52.06% | 1st | Runoff cancelled | Won | N/A | [13] | ||||
| 2024 | California State Assembly | Democratic | 15,450 | 25.8% | 2nd | TBD | TBD | TBD | [14] | ||||
References
edit- ^ a b Bajko, Matthew S. (December 21, 2022). "Lesbian CA legislator's out sister aims to succeed her in Sacramento". Bay Area Reporter.
- ^ Downey, David (May 26, 2021). "Six candidates seek Riverside City Council's Ward 2 seat in June 8 election". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ Downey, David (June 8, 2021). "Clarissa Cervantes has big lead in Riverside City Council's Ward 2 election". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ Downey, David (July 13, 2021). "Clarissa Cervantes sworn in as newest Riverside City Council member". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ Solis, Nathan (August 5, 2022). "Riverside officials demand sheriff apologize for accusing councilmember of supporting vandalism". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Coutler, Tom (October 1, 2022). "Riverside councilwoman files libel suit against Sheriff Chad Bianco over vandalism comments". The Desert Sun.
- ^ White, Jeremy B. (December 22, 2022). "A trip down memory lane". Politico.
- ^ Horseman, Jeff (March 29, 2024). "Clarissa Cervantes declares victory in race for Inland Assembly ballot slot". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ Horseman, Jeff (June 26, 2022). "LGBTQ politicians see growing clout in Inland Empire". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ "Riverside councilmember arrested for second DUI weeks after having previous conviction dismissed". CBS News. July 5, 2023.
- ^ Sheeler, Andrew (July 10, 2023). "California Assembly candidate gets a DUI. It's her second in 10 years". The Sacramento Bee.
- ^ Hofmann, Sarah (August 30, 2023). "Riverside Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes pleads guilty to DUI". The Press-Enterprise.
- ^ "Final Official Election Results". June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Tuesday March 5, 2024 - California Presidential Primary Election - Unofficial Election Results".