Congresswoman Linda Sanchez is campaigning to represent the new 41st Congressional District, created by the passage of Proposition 50, which temporarily redraws districts in California, as she says she still has much to do.

The cities encompassed by the new 41st district are in Los Angeles County: Downey, Whittier, Norwalk, Lakewood, Bellflower, Santa Fe Springs, Bell Gardens, Pico Rivera, South Whittier, East Whittier, La Mirada, Long Beach; and in Orange County, La Habra, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, and portions of Seal Beach.

“The current district I represent is the 38th. What happened was that with the redistricting, they took my district and divided it in two: half of the cities became part of the new 38th district, and the other half, the new 41st district.”

In an interview with La Opinion, he said that the 41st district is the home where he has lived for the last 15 years.

“I didn't move; the boundaries simply changed around me. Therefore, the 41st district encompasses my home, my congressional office, my campaign office, and some cities that I had previously represented in earlier versions of my district, since the districts change every ten years.”

These are, she said, communities where she has lived, that she understands, that she has represented, and for which she works hard.

“That is why I decided to run in District 41. Had it not passed, I would have run in District 38, which is the district I currently hold.”

Congresswoman Sanchez said she wants to remain in Congress because she still has a lot to accomplish, such as helping her city prosper and achieving the goals they have set.

She added that now more than ever, with Trump in office, fighters are needed who know what they are doing and how to get things done in Washington, DC

“She called me before Proposition 50 passed and told me she wouldn't run against me if I ran in District 38.”

The congresswoman said that running for the new district was a very emotional, Because the 38th District she represents underwent a 50% change;

“Losing these communities I've worked so hard for, with whom I've shared so much time, and whom I've helped achieve certain goals, is bittersweet. It's hard to have to tell them: I'm running in this other district and I won't be representing you anymore.”

I have a proven track record of success. When we were debating the Affordable Care Act, an initiative I introduced was incorporating that prohibited health insurance companies from charging women at a higher rate than men for the same health plan, simply because of their gender.

“Today, millions of women don't pay more for their health insurance than men simply because they are women.

“When I represented the city of Lakewood—where I lived before moving to Whittier—local officials were trying to locate a site to build a dog park.

'They identified a parcel of land owned by Southern California Edison, a company that was willing to allow the land to be used for a dog park. However, since I had a relationship with the CEO of Southern California Edison, I called him and made the request. And so, thanks to that phone call, the city of Lakewood now has a beautiful dog park.

“Another example: For ten years, the city of Norwalk had been trying to acquire land to create a green space, but it was owned by the federal government and needed to be decontaminated.

“I picked up the phone and called the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, whom I know well. The city obtained 15 acres of land to expand its park. That is precisely what experience, relationships, and networking can accomplish here in Washington, DC”

He added that it is essential to know who to approach and to maintain a good relationship.

“A newly elected congressman doesn't have those kinds of relationships. For my part, I have experience, networks of contacts, and solid relationships.”

He explained that at the beginning of each year, he meets with the administrators and mayors of his cities and asks them: What are the priority needs? a wide range of projects: from housing and access to drinking water, to the creation of training academies for firefighters and police officers, and the acquisition of new communications equipment for police departments.

“Every year, I manage to attract millions of dollars in funding to help my cities achieve the goals they have set for me.”

“I am the only person in this race who has visited a detention center. I have seen how immigrants live.I am trying to hold the administration accountable for the conditions in those centers. We have gotten families legal representation; and we have put them in contact with their consuls.

“We fought against Trump every single day. I joined a resolution to try to impeach Christy Nome; and there was enough support among the members and enough pressure to get her removed.

“I spend three weeks of the month in Washington, DC, debating bills and voting. But one week a month we have periods of work in the district, times when I come back, go out into the community, talk to constituents, and make myself accessible and visible. he's in the district.

“I work practically from morning until late at night, going around the community and talking to people.

Main Priorities

If elected, she said one of her main priorities will be to continue working extensively on immigration and the US Citizenship Act, which adds more immigration judges to expedite cases and streamline their processing.

It also prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks, requires them to properly identify themselves, and behaviors. raids near hospitals, schools, churches, or any other location considered sensitive.

She will also focus on the rising prices of basic goods and housing affordability.

For this reason, she said she has co-authored a bill called the “HOPE Act.” (Hope Act), whose purpose is to encourage homeownership.

“This law prevents private equity firms from making cash offers to buy homes with the sole intention of disproportionately inflating rental prices.

“It's simple; my parents are immigrants from Mexico. I grew up in a family of seven children. My parents firmly believed that education was the key to success in this country, and that everyone had a chance to achieve the American dream; However, the American Dream is becoming increasingly difficult for people to achieve, and that is due to the bad policies of this administration.

“I have worked hard on behalf of the constituents I represent because I am just like them. I come from families exactly like theirs. I know the hardships related to immigration, the economic struggles,the racism and discrimination that occurs because my family and I have experienced them firsthand.

“So, what you will find in me is someone who will continue to fight for them, trying to put economic opportunities within their reach, bring jobs back to the district, and make sure that people have access to affordable health care.”

She emphasized that she has worked very hard in Congress and held leadership positions at all levels.

“I am Chief Deputy Whip because the party leadership trusts my leadership abilities. “I lead the BOLD PAC, which is the political arm of the Hispanic Caucus; and thanks to the work I have done, we have the largest number of Hispanics in history serving simultaneously in the United States Congress and Senate: 43 members It is the highest number ever recorded.”

Congresswoman Sanchez has received the endorsement of the California Democratic Party, the Federation of Labor, Planned Parenthood, and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schift.

Congresswoman Sanchez's main opponent is former Democratic Assemblyman Hector de la Torre of Southgate, but Democrat Shonique Williams and Republican Mitch Clemmons are also running for the seat.

Hector de la Torre is running for the new 41st Congressional District

Do you know what Proposition 50 means for California?