Joseph’s grandparents immigrated to California from Mexico to labor in tomato fields and canneries in the 1960s. Through hard work and determination, they climbed into the middle class to build opportunities for their family. Joseph’s mother struggled with addiction, so he spent most of his childhood living with his father, who raised a family of five in Riverside on a truck driver’s salary. But when Joseph came out as gay at 17, he had to move out. Though his early years were marked by hardship, trauma, and housing insecurity, Joseph excelled in school, participated in the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Conference, and worked part-time as a dishwasher.
An overwhelming number of Americans are opposed to overturning Roe v. Wade, a historic Supreme Court ruling that protects people’s right to an abortion. Yet, Republicans continue to attack and criminalize this choice, punishing women for making medical decisions with their doctor. We have seen this happen in states all over the country: Oklahoma, Arizona, and Texas, just to name a few.
That is why I am proud to be endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Southwest Action Fund and NARAL CA. As the constitutional right to abortion is threatened, California must expand protections and become a beacon of choice to other states. These attacks on individual and religious liberties must be met with resistance.
While Republican elected officials continue to attack this right, I will stand up and continue to focus on protecting choice and addressing the issues that impact our community: inflation, high gas prices, and getting our economy back on track.