TONY KAWASHIMA was elected to the Tustin City Council in November 2000 and again in 2004. His 2004 total of 14,001 votes is the highest ever received by a Tustin City Council candidate. He served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2003 and as Mayor in 2004.

In addition to his role on the City Council, Councilmember Kawashima has served on the Orange County Public Library Board (where he also served as Board Secretary), the Orange County Sanitation District and the Tustin Area Senior Center. He also served as Council Liaison to the Tustin Unified School District and is a member of the Tustin Library Renovation Task Force. He served on the Tustin Planning Commission prior to his election to the Tustin City Council.

Councilmember Kawashima graduated with honors from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a minor in Anthropology. He has been the owner of a small business for over 27 years. He is a native Californian, a 40-year resident of Orange County, and a 17-year Tustin resident.

The Tustin Unified School District, the Orange County Girl Scout Council and the Tustin Library have honored him for his volunteerism. He continues to be active as a judge for science fairs, scholarship awards, academic contests and as a speaker to students. In 2000, he was elected into the Golden West College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Councilmember Kawashima is married and has two children, ages 14 and 17, who both attend Arnold O. Beckman High School. He and his wife, Ellen, are both active in their children's school. Councilman Kawashima has served as president of the Beckman High School’s Boys Tennis Boosters Club and is currently a Board Member on the Beckman High School Educational Fund Committee.