California Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, a two-time TOFA honoree and the first Filipina elected to the California State Legislature, has advanced in the state primary as she seeks a second term representing Assembly District 52.
Caloza, a Democrat, secured enough support in California’s top-two primary to move on to the November general election, continuing her tenure in a district that includes parts of East Los Angeles, Glendale and neighboring communities. Her primary win positions her to build on a record focused on women’s rights, immigrant communities and working families.
Her relationship with The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) reflects her growing prominence in public service. Caloza was first honored by TOFA in 2022 at The Town Hall in New York during the 12th TOFA awards, recognized for her tenure as a public servant in California and her advocacy work in government. In 2023, she was honored again in Los Angeles with a TOFA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, issued under the national President’s Volunteer Service Award program and bearing the signature of President Joe Biden, after she made history as the first Filipina elected to the California Legislature.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a civil recognition created to honor individuals, families and organizations who have devoted hundreds or even thousands of hours to volunteer service, with the Lifetime Achievement level reserved for those who have logged at least 4,000 hours. TOFA became a certified organization under this program during the Biden administration, allowing it to nominate and recognize former awardees and community members whose volunteer work has significantly benefited the Filipino American community.
Before winning office, Caloza served in key roles in government and advocacy, including positions in the California Attorney General’s Office and the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, where she worked on gender-based violence, equity and community engagement initiatives. That background has informed her legislative priorities on public safety, support for survivors, and expanding access to essential services.
For the Filipino American community, Caloza’s primary victory and bid for a second term underscore a historic shift. As California’s first Filipina assemblymember and a celebrated TOFA honoree, her continued rise signals a new era of visibility and influence for Filipinos in state politics and public service.
