Claremont University Graduates Take Election Day

Claremont Graduate University have reason to feel pride this election as a number of alumni fared well on Nov. 6 elections, winning seats from city hall to Sacramento to US Congress.

Cristina Garcia (MA, Education, '02) captured more than 71 percent of the vote to win California's 58th Assembly District seat, which represents a portion of Los Angeles County. Garcia, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, campaigned on a platform of cleaning up corruption.

Tom Cotton (former student, Politics and Economics), will serve in the US House of Representatives after defeating a rival for the open seat out of Arkansas' 4th District. Cotton is a Republican and Army veteran. The Weekly Standard called him a "rising political star."

In Southern California municipal races, Paula Lantz (MA, Education, '69) held off two challengers to retain her seat on the Pomona city council. Lantz, a lifelong Pomona resident, has served on the council since 1991.

Dan Morgan (EMBA, Drucker School, '98) earned about 68 percent of the vote to remain treasurer for the city of Upland. Morgan has held the post since 2008.

Gary Tomak (MBA, Drucker School, '93), kept his seat on the Desert Sands Unified School District board in La Quinta. Tomak, an incumbent, was one of eight candidates running for three open seats on the board. He's served on the board since 1999.

Courtesy Claremont Graduate University.