Senator Hernandez grew up in La Puente, attended local schools and graduated from Bassett High School. He worked his way through school, attending both Rio Hondo and Mt. San Antonio Community Colleges before going on to get his B.S. degree in Biology from Cal State Fullerton. He received a scholarship to study Optometry at Indiana University, which is also where he met his wife Diane. After returning home, Dr. Ed and his wife setup their first practice in his hometown of La Puente.
Senator Ed Hernandez is a husband, father, grandfather, practicing optometrist, and local businessman, “Dr. Ed” (as he is known to his patients) has spent his life bringing quality eye care to predominantly low-income communities. As a health care provider, the need to improve access to health care for all Californians is what first drove him to run for office.
Dr. Ed Hernandez had only one goal as a young man – to serve the health care needs of the community he came from. As an optometrist and local businessman, he never dreamed he would one day work in the California State Legislature. As a health care provider in predominantly low-income communities though, the need to improve access to health care is what drove him to run for office. Dr. Ed was first elected to the Assembly in November of 2006, and re-elected in November of 2008. He won his seat in the California State Senate in November of 2010 and was re-elected once again in 2014.
Senator Hernandez proudly represents the 22nd Senate District, which encompasses the cities and communities of the San Gabriel Valley, which include: Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, South San Gabriel, Rosemead, El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, Irwindale, Industry, Avocado Heights, La Puente, Valinda, West Covina, Vincent, Azusa, Citrus, Covina, Temple City, Arcadia and surrounding neighborhoods.
Dr. Hernandez has been a leader on the implementation of federal health care reform – helping expand access to affordable health care, control costs, and improve the network of providers so people can actually get quality care when they need it.
Dr. Hernandez has been a champion by expanding educational opportunity to qualified students overlooked by our public schools and universities, as well as a major proponent for government reform, including fixing a broken initiative system too often hijacked by billionaires and wealthy corporations.
Senator Hernandez serves as Chair for the Senate Committee on Health. He is also a member of the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee, the Government and Finance Committee, and the Senate Insurance Committee.
Senator Hernandez is the Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus, made up of 12 Senators and Assemblymembers representing the greater San Gabriel Valley. This position has allowed him to work in cooperation with fellow legislators on issues critical to the San Gabriel Valley, including water and transportation.
Ed Hernandez wants to take that experience, leadership, and vision to the next level and serve the people of California as their Lieutenant Governor