Born in Mexico, Victor immigrated to the United States with his parents as a young child. The oldest of six kids, Victor grew up in Pasadena, attending Pasadena public schools.  Both of his parents worked two jobs - and their fingers to the bone. Victor’s father was a dishwasher and cook at Ranchero's Mexican Restaurant for 50 years. His late mother, who died when his youngest brother was four years old, was a seamstress.

 

From age nine until he was 17 years old, Victor delivered the Pasadena Star-News newspaper every day before school and every weekend. He worked evenings and weekends at Ranchero's Mexican Restaurant to help contribute to his family.  He played football, baseball and soccer in High School, and became the first person in his family to go to college. First, Pasadena City College, then Azusa Pacific University.  

 

Shortly after his mother passed away, Victor was forced to give up the college dream to help raise his siblings.  As his siblings got older, Victor was able to continue his formal education and was accepted to law school and drove 35 miles each way to class every night — while working full-time. He graduated with honors one year ahead of his class and passed the California Bar Exam on his first attempt.

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Victor is a labor leader who is also the longest-serving president of the Rose Bowl Operating Company, leading it through a successful renovation. As a Pasadena City Councilmember, Victor has worked for almost 19 years focusing on quality of life issues, including opposing overdevelopment, fighting crime, championing a living wage, increasing government transparency, getting rid of problem liquor stores and replacing them with affordable housing, and taking back our parks. 

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Throughout his time as Mayor, Victor has focused on fostering an improved quality of life and promoting safe, family-friendly environments throughout the City. As Mayor, together with the City Council, Victor has guided Pasadena through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery during a challenging time of social inequity, mass retirements and the search for a new City Manager.

 

Victor enjoys a wonderful family life with his wife Kelly, an elementary school teacher in the El Monte Unified School District, and their two children Michael and Emma.