Vanessa Aramayo
Vanessa Aramayo
Vanessa Linda Aramayo [undefined] is a special election candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent California's 34th congressional district. The seat is currently vacant, as it was previously held by new California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in Congress.
Background
Early Childhood
She grew up on the corner of Caesar Chavez and Broadway in the heart of Los Angeles, where she was raised by her single mother in the family restaurant El Colima.
She attended the public school system in Los Angeles and eventually attended UCLA where she graduated with a degree in Political Science.
Government (2002-2009)
From 2002 to 2006, she worked as a Senior Field Representative for State Assembly majority leader Dario Frommer. From 2006 to 2009, she served as the District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Jane Harman. [undefined]
During this time span, she worked with the two respective representatives on issues of public education, healthcare, immigration, and homeland security. [undefined]
Nonprofits (2009-2015)
In 2009, she became the first female Deputy Director of the Council of the Mexican Federations, [undefined] a nonprofit whose aim is to empower immigrant communities and organizations to fully participate in improving the lives of families and friends in their countries of origin.
From December 2011 to July 2015, she served as the Executive Director of the California Partnership, [undefined] a statewide coalition of over 140 community-based groups, organizing and advocating for programs and policies that reduce and end poverty.
While working in these nonprofits, she fought against Governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown to deliver a just budget that would invest in and reflect on community values. [undefined]
Proposition 30
While working with the aforementioned nonprofits, Aramayo was also part of the strategy committee that put together California Proposition 30, a sales and income tax increase initiative that was approved on November 6, 2012.
Once the bill was approved, it eventually generated $6 billion in revenue.
2015-Present
Vanessa Aramayo is currently a public affairs consultant and stay-at-home mom.
She is currently running a campaign for the vacant seat in California's 34th congressional district. Her pu blic service record and experience with nonprofits is rooted in translating community engagement into voting power and improving the economic security of working families. [undefined]
Values
Vanessa Aramayo speaking at a campaign event
According to her website, [undefined] the following are issues Vanessa Aramayo would like to tackle if she were elected congresswoman:
Medicaid expansion:" One of the most significant gains in access to affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the expansion of Medicaid coverage.
Millions of low-income and disabled Americans faced severe financial hardship from receiving either the preventative care or continuing care they need.
Medicaid expansion was a game changer.
It gave millions of Americans the opportunity to take cost-saving preventative measures on cost-driving conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
It also allowed access to health care where prohibitive costs often left people at risk of early death, debilitating disease and bankruptcy."
health care for all:" A government sponsored Single-Payer universal health care plan is the ultimate goal.
Given the Trump Administration’s and Republican Congress’ “repeal and replace ACA" mantra, there may be an opening for states like California to lead and pass their own single-payer system."
" Seniors must be able to retire with dignity.
To do this, Medicare and Social Security must be protected.
Throughout their working lives, senior citizens paid into Medicare and Social Security and earned the benefits they should now be able to easily access.
Social Security can be easily improved by increasing the income cap on which payroll taxes are paid for social security.
It is a simple way to preserve and protect the benefit."[1]
public education:"I am the product of public schools in Glendale and worked three jobs to pay for college at UCLA, a jewel in the UC system, where I earned a BA in Political Science.
Instead of cuts to public education, we need to be investing more funds in early childhood, elementary, secondary, community colleges and higher education."
immigration & keeping families together:"I will be unwavering in my support of all efforts to protect immigrant families, children and students from ICE raids on our community.
I will stand with the State of California and our Sanctuary Cities to protect our families.
I will stand with our communities as we use the courts to stop these raids.
And I will stand with the many businesses who rely on immigrant labor to provide goods and services and expand our economy."
environment: " Our emissions must be reduced and I support the Paris Agreement on Climate.
Global warming is causing threats to public health and extreme weather from heat to droughts to floods, disrupting coastal cities, creating conditions where refugees are fleeing countries no longer capable of growing enough food and threatening our economic security.
[...] I will work to stop the deniers from going backwards on the most crucial environmental threat facing the planet."
Endorsements/Testimonials
"While serving as my District Director, Vanessa worked effectively on issues that mattered to my constituents: Homeland Security, the economy, and education. She engaged the community to push Congress for improved access to quality healthcare and to reform immigration laws. In short, Vanessa gets things done."* -* Jane Harman (former Congresswoman for California's 36th congressional district, 1993-1999 & 2001-2011)
“As a crucial member of my team, Vanessa always brought a thoughtful approach to improving access to healthcare and educational opportunities. She has done it in Sacramento and in Washington by bringing stakeholders into the legislative process and ensuring their real life concerns are considered. Vanessa will be ready from day one to make sure your voices are heard.”-Dario Frommer (former State Assembly majority leader, 2000-2006)
Personal Life
Vanessa Aramayo was born in Glendale, California [undefined] to parents who both immigrated to the United States in the 1960's. [undefined]
She was raised by a single mother, who immigrated to the United States from Colima, Mexico with her 6 sisters (Vanessa's aunts). Vanessa's mother eventually opened a restaurant called El Colima, which operated for 46 years in César Chávez and Broadway. [undefined] [undefined]
During the recession of the 1990's, Aramayo's mother lost everything she had, including their home.
They struggled tremendously, and Vanessa was concerned about where she was going to live and whether she was going to be in the same school.
These personal experiences influenced Vanessa Aramayo to engage in communities and get involved in politics.
While attending UCLA, she worked three jobs. She graduated in 2001, receiving
She is a member of the 99%, which is in reference to the Occupy Movement. [undefined]
See Also:
California's 34th Congressional District special election list of Candidates, 2017