Laura Espinosa, former Santa Paula City Councilwoman and vice mayor, addresses the audience in Santa Paula on Oct. 20 when the Julia Brownley for Congress campaign announced its "Latinos for Julia" committee, made up of Ventura County, Federal and State elected officials and community leaders that have united behind Julia Brownley. Coutesy photo.
SANTA PAULA — The Julia Brownley for Congress campaign on Oct. 20 announced its “Latinos for Julia” committee, made up of Ventura County, Federal and State elected officials and community leaders that have united behind Julia Brownley, the campaign reported in a media release.
Brownley is a Democratic candidate for the newly-formed 26th Congressional District, (which includes all of Ventura County, except most of Simi Valley and the coastal area of Ventura).
“Julia Brownley has a long record of supporting the Latino community throughout her time in the California Assembly,” Ventura County Supervisor John Zaragoza stated in a media release. “As an author of the California DREAM Act, Julia has worked to provide opportunity to students of all backgrounds, and her leadership in education and reducing domestic violence has led to a better future for all our communities. I’m proudly supporting Julia Brownley for Congress.”
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), the highest-ranking Latino member in the House of Representatives, and community leaders joined Brownley to officially launch the committee at an event in Santa Paula. Becerra, speaking near the Santa Paula Farm Workers Memorial, praised Brownley’s commitment to expanding the middle class through improving education.
“I know that in Congress, Julia Brownley will be a voice for middle class families all across Ventura County,” Becerra said. “She understands that we need to grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down, and that protecting Medicare and Social Security, improving education, and spurring investment in Ventura County communities is the best way to create opportunity for future generations.”
Brownley, a three-term California Assemblymember, has represented Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Naval Base Ventura County, Oak Park and Westlake Village for the past six years in the Legislature.
“I’m proud to have the support of so many community leaders from all across Ventura County,” Brownley said. “In Congress, I’ll work to create jobs in Ventura County by expanding the middle class and improving our schools, while supporting the DREAM Act at the federal level and making sure that all of our students who work hard, get good grades and graduate high school have access to a quality education.”
Local elected officials and community leaders supporting the campaign:
John Zaragoza, Ventura County Supervisor
Jess Herrera, Oxnard Harbor Commissioner
Dr. Ramon Flores, President of the Ventura County Board of Education
Carmen Ramirez, Oxnard Councilmember
Veronica Robles-Solis, Oxnard School District Board of Trustees President
Maricela Morales, Former Mayor of Port Hueneme
Dr. Manuel Lopez, Former President of Oxnard Harbor Commission and Former Mayor of Oxnard
Irma Lopez, Oxnard Community Activist*
Marisa Lopez, Oxnard Small Business Owner*
David A. Gomez, former Superintendent of Santa Paula Unified High School District and President of the Association of California School Administrators
Martha Hernandez, Ventura County Office of Education Director of Curriculum and Instruction*
Hank Lacayo, Congress of California Seniors President
Leah Lacayo, CSU-CI Foundation President*
Laura Espinosa, Former Santa Paula Vice-Mayor
Roberto Juarez, CEO Clinicas*
Ana Maria Valle, Ventura County Community College District Coordinator EOPS*
Federal and State elected officials:
Rep. Xavier Becerra
Rep. Linda Sanchez
Rep. Loretta Sanchez
Congressional candidate and LA City Councilman Tony Cardenas
Assembly Latino Legislative Chair Ricardo Lara
Assemblymember Luis Alejo
Assemblymember Nora Campos
Assemblymember Gil Cedillo
Assemblymember Ben Hueso
Assemblymember Henry Perea
Assemblymember V. Manuel Perez
* For identification purposes only
Julia Brownely, center, is surrounded by supporters. The Julia Brownley for Congress campaign on Oct. 20 announced its "Latinos for Julia" committee, made up of Ventura County, Federal and State elected officials and community leaders that have united behind Julia Brownley. Coutesy photo.