About John Tran
John Tran is a former Rosemead Mayor, Councilmember, Garvey School Board member, El Monte Union High School District Board Member, and current Rosemead City Commissioner and business owner running for Rosemead City Council to be a voice for residents, improve our neighborhoods, and make Rosemead a safer place to live, work, shop, and raise a family.
An immigrant from Vietnam whose family fled war and oppression to come to the United States as a refugee in 1979, John’s parents eventually settled in Southern California, searching for opportunity and hoping to achieve the American Dream for their young family. His parents started a small business and John woke up early every day and assisted them after school to help make ends meet. Excelling in basketball, John was also captain of his high school team. He received his BA from CSULA and a Masters in Public Administration from Cal State Northridge.
John started a successful career in real estate following graduation, where he succeeded despite his young age. At just 23, John Tran was elected to the Garvey School Board. Appointed School Board President, he became the youngest Board President in Garvey’s history. Elected to the Rosemead City Council and appointed mayor, John became the first Vietnamese-American mayor in the United States. During his time on school board and council he was known to be a hard worker and helped create changes that benefited students and residents and helped pass a landmark school bond that modernized classrooms.
In 2012, John was charged with attempted witness tampering and making false statements, for which he cooperated, was convicted, and served 10 months, paying his debt to society.
John fully acknowledges everything that happened, accepts full responsibility, and blames only himself for his decisions during this time. John has publicly apologized and is a humbled and changed man after this experience.
He stepped away from public life and focused on his family of four children, and rebuilt his life, embracing the opportunity for a fresh start. John earned back his real estate license and started a new business with his wife, a 23-year public school teacher, as his partner. There have been many struggles and challenges, but eventually, working together, they built something successful. Giving back, John and his wife helped with food drives and donated to help food banks for families.
Listening more than talking and owning his past mistakes and faults, John has spent the last several years hearing the concerns of Rosemead residents. He was appointed to the Traffic Commission in 2024, where he’s faithfully served, always putting Rosemead first.
Like his family seeking a new life for themselves after fleeing war and violence, hoping for redemption in the United States, John hopes the same American spirit that embraces second chances and new beginnings for those who earn it will allow him to re-earn the trust of Rosemead’s voters.
Door-by-door and neighborhood-by-neighborhood, John plans to listen carefully, hear concerns, and share his vision for a better Rosemead.
