Born in Turlock, Tony worked with his family as a farm worker all his life in the Central Valley before graduating from Hughson High School. He made history as the first Latino student body president at Modesto Jr. College and later earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Dedicating 17 years to local government, Tony served two terms on both the Modesto City Council (2013-2022) and the Santa Cruz City Council (2004-2012), with a strong focus on job creation, safety, and community development. His leadership extended to roles like President of the Central Valley Division of the League of California Cities, Founder/Vice President of the Tri-County Association of Latino Elected Officials (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito counties), and he presently serves as a member of the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee for the Modesto City Schools District. Prior to that, Tony worked as a District Field Representative and later as a Legislative Aide for State Assemblymember Luis Alejo in Sacramento. He also serves on the Board of Directors of three local nonprofits: South Modesto Businesses United, Latino Community Roundtable of Stanislaus County, and the King Kennedy Memorial Center Board. He is a member of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.