California 74.96%
District of Columbia 12.39%
Virginia 1.48%
Illinois 1.31%
Other 9.87%
During my decade in the Assembly, I have fought for the priorities of the San Joaquin Valley – improved health care, better public safety, educational excellence, prosperity through hard work and opportunity, and securing the water that allows everyone and everything in the Valley to flourish.
Born and raised in Merced, I worked at my family’s dairy supply to put myself through four years of college – including the first two at Merced Community College. After graduation, I worked in the State Legislature where one of my first fights was to eliminate the “Tractor Tax” on farm equipment.
I was teaching at UC Merced when the economy tanked, forcing many into mortgage default and others into bankruptcy. It was clear that Sacramento needed straight talk and common-sense solutions to get out of that mess. That’s why voters sent me to the Assembly in 2012.
Since then, I have helped bring Democrats, Republicans, and Independents together in the California Problem Solvers Caucus, addressing our state’s most critical issues from homelessness to gas taxes to battling the pandemic.
In 2018, I led the fight against the State Water Grab by bringing 1,500 people – including a high school marching band – to the Capitol steps. This show of force kept the state from ending 135 years of local control over water and crushing California’s $50 billion agriculture industry.
I also stood shoulder to shoulder with the Valley’s Republican and Democratic lawmakers to deliver nearly $3 billion to build new water storage, repair aging canals, and bolster groundwater basins.
To address the Valley’s deadly shortage of doctors, I secured more than $210 million to turn the dream of medical school at UC Merced into a construction project. Legislation I wrote doubled the operating hours of rural healthcare clinics so working families can get the care they need.
When Merced County had the state’s highest murder rate, I secured $4.5 million to fight gang violence, resulting in the arrest of 50 gang leaders and a 50% drop in the murder rate. I wrote legislation to crack down on catalytic converter theft and organized criminal rings. I have consistently voted against releasing prisoners who remain a danger to our communities.
When budget cuts jeopardized County Fairs, my legislation ensured they would continue. And I got $400 million to extend commuter train service into Modesto and Merced, providing a cleaner, faster option over the Altamont.
Last year, I got $60 million to map the Valley’s groundwater and I have supported one of the state’s most important river and habitat restoration projects – Dos Rios Ranch. Two years ago, I secured $12 million to build a new and reliable water treatment facility in the City of Dos Palos.
Refusing to to lower my voice when speaking truth to power has angered others – including in my own party. It cost me politically, but not where it counts – in my district. Voters have stood by my side, ensuring I would win every election I’ve entered.
No one can match my record of supporting the Valley I love. Now, I am carrying that fight to Congress, where I intend to fight for what the Valley needs.
