Get to know Dr. Robert Cancio, candidate for state Assembly

DOWNEY – Dr. Robert Cancio, school board member for Norwalk La Mirada Unified School District and U.S. Navy veteran, continues his campaign for California’s 64th State Assembly district.

The newly-drawn district covers Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, Cudahy, Bell, Bell Gardens, La Habra and La Habra Heights.

“I’m running because we need new energy and a new direction that brings data-driven results to the everyday lives of the people here,” Dr. Cancio said. “People need their government to work; they need their Democracy to be strong, to be transparent, and to make their lives better.”

Cancio, 35, and his family have lived in Norwalk since 1993 and attended school in NLMUSD, graduating from Southeast Academy in 2005 and enlisting in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologist.

After serving in two global deployments, including combat in Iraq, Cancio was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal along with various accolades and decorations.

“I am ambitious to achieve, but even more ambitious to serve,” the Navy veteran said. “ Just like the battlefields of yesterday, I lead the charge for our District. I’m active in my church, a youth mentor, and an energetic servant-leader.”

Dr. Cancio earned his Ph.D. and taught at the University of Miami, and regularly publishes his work on mental health, substance use and violence.

As a statistician, he also does analytics and market research in the housing industry.

He was elected to the NLMUSD school board in fall 2021, and has advocated for student achievement programming, mental health services, and school-to-career programs. Cancio also voted in favor of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for NLMUSD faculty, which was voted out.

“I am a different kind of Democrat, a servant-leader with conviction, one the party hasn’t seen many of lately,” Cancio said. “The other candidates in this race are nice people, but also more of the same.

“As your Assembly member, I am the candidate for public safety, higher-paying jobs, housing people can afford, and real solutions to homelessness.”