California is a very large state and has more congressional districts than most other states do. This blog post focuses on districts 51-53. These are the last districts in California (including one that disappeared after the 2020 census.)
California’s 51st Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 51st congressional district:
California’s 51st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Sara Jacobs. The district currently includes central and eastern portions of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lemon Grove.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 51st congressional district is located in Southern California. It is almost entirely within the San Diego Metropolitan Area of San Diego County.
San Diego County is split between this district, the 50th district, the 48th district, and the 52nd district. The 51st and 48th are partitioned by Sabre Springs Openspace, Scripps Miramar Openspace, Beeler Canyon Rd, Sycamore Canyon Openspace, Weston Rd, Boulder Vis, Mast Blvd, West Hills Parkway, San Diego River, Highway 52, Simeon Dr, Mission Trails Openspace, Fanita Dr, Farmington Dr, Lund St, Nielsen St, Paseo de Los Castillos, Gillespie Air Field, Kennedy St, San Vincente Freeway, Airport Dr, Wing Ave, W Bradley Ave, Vernon Way, Hart Dr, E Bradley Ave, 830 Adele St-1789 N Mollison Ave, Peppervilla Dr/N Mollison Ave, Pepper Dr, Great St/Cajon Green Dr, N Mollison Ave/Buckley Dr, Denver Ln, Broadway Channel, N 2nd St, Flamingo Ave/Greenfield Dr, Dawnridge Ave/Cresthill Rd, Groveland Ter/Camillo Way, Sterling Dr, Kumeyaay Highway, E Madison Ave, Granite Hills Dr, E Lexington Ave, Dehesa Rd, Vista del Valle Blvd, Merritt Ter, E Washington Ave, Merritt Dr, Dewitt Ct, Emerald Heights Rd, Foote Path Way, Highway 8, Lemon Ave, Lake Helix Dr, La Crux Dr, Carmichael Dr, Bancroft Dr, Campo Rd, and Sweetwater River.
The 51st and 50th are partitioned by Camino del Norte, Highway 15, Carmel Mountain Rd, Ted Williams Parkway, Del Mar Mesa Openspace, Los Penasquitos Creek, Inland Freeway, Governor Dr, Pavlov Ave, Stetson Ave, Milikin Ave, Regents Rd, Ducommun Ave, Bunch Ave, Branting St, Streseman St, Pennant Way, Highway 52, San Diego Freeway, Sea World Dr, Friars Rd, Kumeyaay Highway, and Highway 805.
he 51st and 52nd are partitioned by Cajon Blvd, 58th St, Streamview Dr, College Ave, Lemarand Ave, Highway 94, Charlene Ave, 69th St, Imperial Ave, Larwood Rd, Taft St, Lincoln Pl, Glencoe Dr, Braddock St, Carlisle Dr, Carlsbad Ct/Osage Dr, Potero St, Carlsbad St, Innsdale Ave, Worthington St/Innsdake Ln, Brady Ct/ Innsdale Ln, Parkbrook Way/Alene St, Tinaja Ln/Bluffview Rd, Highway 54, Sweetwater Rd, and Bonita Rd.
The 51st district takes in the cities of El Cajon, Lemon Grove, La Mesa, and National City, as well as the census-designated place La Presa. It also encompasses the San Diego neighborhoods of Paradise Hills, Mira Mesa, Miramar, San Carlos, Sorrento, Clairemont, Normal Heights, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Balboa Park, Linda Vista, and Serra Mesa.
Ballotpedia provided information about Sara Jacobs:
Sara Jacobs (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 51st Congressional District. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. Her current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Sara Jacobs (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 51st Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on March 5, 2024.
Sara Jacobs was a candidate for California’s 49th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Jacobs lost the primary on June 2018.
Sara Jacobs was born in San Diego, California. Jacobs earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University. Her career experience includes working as a policy advisor with Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign; in policy positions with the U.S. State Department, UNICEF, and the United Nations; and the CEO of Project Connect. Jacobs founded San Diego for Every Child: The Coalition to End Child Poverty and served as the CEO of Project Connect.
Ballotpedia provided information about Stan Caplan:
Stan Caplan (Republican Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 51st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on March 5, 2024.
Stan Caplan lives in San Diego, California. Caplan’s career experience includes owning a business.
Stan Caplan did not fill out Ballotpedia’s 2022 Candidate Connection survey. Ballotpedia provided information from Stan Caplan’s campaign website.
REDUCE GAS PRICES AND LOWER ENERGY COSTS:
- Stop tax and regulation policies that punish everyday Americans
- Produce more U.S. oil and natural gas
- Restore energy independence
- Increase reliable and affordable renewable resources
EASE INFLATION AND LOWER FOOD PRICES:
- Shrink government and reduce spending
- Decrease taxes on low and middle wage earners
- Reduce supply chain regulations
- Use private enterprise, not government, to grow the economy
HELP SMALL BUSINESSES:
- Incentivize small business creation
- Reduce taxes, regulation, and bureacracy
- Ensure fair competition with big business
EDUCATE CHILDREN:
- Stick to practical STEM learning
- Teach honest and constructive U.S. History and Civics
- Cultivate values of individual character, not decisive race-based constructs
GIVE PARENTS SCHOOL CHOICE:
- Encourage educational competition between schools
- Reward innovative and effective teachers
- Provide wide range of learning opportunities
- Let parents tailor education to their children’s individual needs
GIVE PARENTS A VOICE:
- Let parents decide cirruculum
- Give parents authority over all sexuality teaching
- Protect parents from being characterized as terrorists
You can read more of Stan Caplan’s views on Ballotpedia.
Ballotpedia provided information about Jose Cortes:
Jose Cortez (Peace and Freedom Party of California) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 51st Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Jose Cortez was born in Lakewood, California. Cortes’ career experience includes working as a healthcare and benefits administrator.
Jose Cortez completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am a proud socialist who grew up in East County San Diego. I identify as Chicano or Latino. I am very close with my parents and extended family, most of whom also live in San Diego County. As I studied at the University of Buffalo, I began to think critically about U.S. foreign policy. I also worked various blue collar jobs including as a security guard and a night janitor, where I experienced the alienation and exploitation of capitalism firsthand.
I remember hearing that El Cajon PD shot an unarmed Ugandan refugee named Alfred Olango. The murder occurred right in the parking lot of my dentist’s office. At that time, I was working as an aide for children with special needs at a school, and supervised the after-school care program as well. We had just finished studying and learning about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights era with the kids, so I felt compelled to join the protests. That was where I met the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and became a revolutionary organizer.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Housing and healthcare should be Constitutionally guaranteed human rights
- We must end the endless wars and bring all the troops home. We should use the money to pay for important social services, and pay reparations to all nations affected by imperialism and colonialism.
- Full rights for all immigrants, abolish ICE/DHS. Defund and demilitarize the police. Jail killer cops!
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
We need socialism, a system where the workers are empowered to make the most important decisions affecting their lives, and human needs and the long-term wellbeing four planet come before corporate profits.
In 2020, the number of people who became homeless for the first time in San Diego County more than doubled. We need to take immediate action to ensure access to housing for everyone in our community. This is not an issue of supply and demand: in 2020 there were an estimated 5 thousand people living on the streets of San Diego, and about 57,000 housing units sitting empty on any given night. This level of inequality and inefficiency in our economic system is absurd, inhumane and unacceptable; we need socialism.
When the costs of food, housing, and medication go up, people find a way to pay for them, because we have no other option. We need to dispel the myth that a capitalist “free market” will make essentials of life like housing or healthcare less expensive. This has been proven false time and time again. Housing and healthcare should not be profit-making ventures.
Capitalism drives our government to engage in endless wars for political influence and profit, corrupts our political system, hurts our communities. It is causing the destruction of our environment and climate catastrophe and we urgently need to transition to a socialist economy so we can use centralized planning to address climate change.
Ballotpedia provided information about Barrett Holman Leak:
Barrett Holman Leak (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 51st Congressional District. She lost as a write-in in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Barrett Holman Leak completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions she answered.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I am a multiethnic Black Jewish woman who is a lifelong Democrat. University educated (master degree) and in the United States of America and Europe, I flipped burgers and packed fries at Burger King, was a freelance journalist and served as a federal government employee for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, during college to pay my tuition. Over the last 20+ years, I have worked as a fulltime professional journalist, small business owner and a children’s author. My platform includes (but is not limited to) small business support, Medicare For All, expanded voting rights, climate action/justice, women’s rights (from healthcare to wage equity), LBGTQ+ rights, labor rights, affordable housing and effective solutions for houseless people, eliminating child poverty and rebuilding American manufacturing (infrastructure).
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your time in office?
- The time is now for change. We have had the same types of representatives of 172 years. Representation matters. We deserve and need a diverse, working class representative for our divers [sic] (45%+POC) district. We need a leader with solid work and life experience who focuses on all segments of our district. I bring more than 2 decades of life and work experiences that make me able to relate well to all people.
- Voting for me is voting for a person of integrity who will not, as our representative had done, take foreign business lobbyist money and junkets to other countries: Voting for me means having a representative who does not make stock investments that profit from the pain of other people. Voting for me means choosing a representative who has the common sense, compassion, vision, and resilience. I know through personal experience what it is to got through hard times and what it takes to come through the struggles.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am personally passionate about voting rights, affordable housing, small business support, equitable wage laws, healthcare and criminal justice reform.
December 21, 2021: Times of San Diego posted an article titled: “Reps. Jacobs, Issa to Seek Reelection in New 51st, 48th Congress Districts in 2022” From the article:
First-term Rep. Sara Jacobs announced Tuesday that she will seek re-election to the House of Representatives in the new 51st District in 2022. Hours later, Republican Darrell Issa said he’d seek the new 48th District seat.
The announcements follow the release of the final redistricting maps by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.
The new district in San Diego includes much of Democrat Jacobs’ current 53rd District, but also parts of the county previously represented by Reps. Scott Peters, Issa, and Juan Vargas…
…”It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of California’s 53rd Congressional District, and with these new maps, I am excited to continue to serve so many of my current constituents and a number of new communities that mean so much to San Diego in the 51st District,” Jacobs said.
January 15: Liberation News posted an article titled: “Socialist Jose Cortes announces run in new California 51st Congressional District” From the article:
Jose Cortes, a socialist candidate for U.S. Congress in 2022, filed to run in California’s new 51st Congressional District (CA51) on Jan. 3. After previously running as a Peace and Freedom Party candidate in CA50, the change comes after redistricting in California following the 2020 U.S. census. Cortes’ 2020 campaign earned more votes than any other independent or third party candidate in the race.
Cortes’ 2022 House of Representatives campaign is already endorsed by South Bay Union School District president and candidate for state superintendent of public instruction Marco Amaral, the Peace and Freedom Party, the Green Party of San Diego County and others. Cortes is a longtime member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and a leader in local struggles against war, racists police terror and housing injustice.
Instead of facing off against incumbent far-right Republican Darrell Issa, Cortes will now be running against billionaire heiress and current CA53 representative Sara Jacobs. The statewide midterm primary elections are on June 7.
For working class representation in power
Through the campaign has its sites set on winning the seat, Cortes and volunteers say their main goal is to intervene in the electoral sphere by exposing the current system and showing voters that a socialist, working-class alternative to the two political parties exists.
During a campaign volunteer orientation on Jan 8, Cortes said: “I’m running because as a former Qualcomm janitor and current health insurance worker I see people being ground up like meat by this capitalist system. We say no more! Now is the time to build a movement demanding basic human dignity for all workers.”
Right now, campaign volunteers are gathering signatures to get Cortes on the ballot. They have from Jan. 3 to Feb. 9 to gather some 1,300 signatures. When Liberation News asked about the scale of this challenge, Cortes’ 2020 campaign manager Juliana Musheyev replied, “I absolutely think it can be done. I’m pretty confident that it will be done because I know how dedicated and organized our volunteers are.”
Mushevey continued, “Since we don’t receive funding from wealthy donors and corporations, we depend on these signatures to offset the cost of getting on the ballot. Each signature chips away at the fee. Many of the campaign volunteers have full time jobs and family obligations, but we are dedicating our evenings and weekends to going door-to-door and standing outside busy shopping centers…
…The Cortes for Congress campaign is fighting for the end of imperialism, poverty, and all forms of oppression and exploitation. Rather than proposing economic or military war on people, thousands of miles away, Cortes advocates friendship with workers around the world and works to build a united front against fascism and positive social change.
May 19: Fox 5 San Diego posted an article titled: “Meet the congressional candidates running to represent San Diego County” From the article:
…The 51st Congressional District map covers the heart of urban San Diego, from the College Area to Normal Heights and Kensington, Linda Vista and Clairemont, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and more. This solid blue district is home to San Diego’s youngest member of Congress and a conservative businessman hoping to unseat her.
Sarah Jacobs (D) (Incumbent)
Rep. Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, was elected in 2020 and serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. A member of the powerful local family behind Qualcomm, Jacobs was a policy expert who worked at the United Nations and UNICEF before her election.
In an April interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jacobs touted her role in temporarily expending the child tax credit, and vowed to continue fighting to make that benefit permanent. She also highlighted pieces of the Build Back Better COVID-19 recovery plan that she co-authored, including sections on environmental measures. Jacobs called for a transition to a “clean energy economy,” driven by major investments in new infrastructure.
Jacobs advocates for a complete overhaul of the U.S. immigration system, a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers” and an immediate increase in the number of federal immigration judges available to process a backlog of asylum requests and other cases.
Stan Caplan (R)
Republican Stan Caplan is a small business owner. He highlights his personal experience as a longtime San Diego resident and a single parent who can speak for “common sense solutions” instead of “political nonsense.”
Caplan lists reducing gas prices and overall energy costs as a top priority, saying the U.S. should produce more of its own oil and natural gas. He also calls for lifting taxes and regulations related to energy. Caplan says he can help ease inflation and lower expenses for consumers by shrinking government spending and decreasing taxes on low- and middle-wage earners.
The candidate claims that tax laws in California encourage crime, and calls for harsher penalties for criminal offenses. He also supports stricter enforcement of immigration law…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 51:
- Sara Jacobs (D): 60.5% – 91,329 votes
- Stan Caplan (R): 37.2% – 56,183 votes
- Jose Cortes (Peace and Freedom Party of California) 2.2% – 3,343 votes
- Barrett Holman Leak (D): (Write In): 0.0% – 55 votes
June 8: NBC San Diego posted an article titled: “California Primary Election: Sara Jacobs Leads 51st Congressional District Race” From the article:
Democratic Congressmember Sara Jacobs took a big early lead in her bid to represent California’s 51st Congressional District.
By 10 p.m. on Election night, with 54% of the vote counted, Jacobs was in the lead with 63% of the vote. Republican challenger Stan Caplan was in position to advance to November’s General Election with 35% of the vote.
“I first ran for Congress because I knew we needed a new generation of leaders who will do things differently, listen to everyone, respect everyone, and actually get things done for the community,” Jacobs said in a statement sent Tuesday night. “I’m looking forward to meeting more of the vibrant CA-51 community, hearing from you, and earning your support in November.”
Caplan, a small business owner, told NBC 7 he’s happy it appears he’ll be going head-to-head with Jacobs in November.
“My hope is people will see the issues and what’s important their constitutional rights are in jeopardy and they’ll start saying I don’t want the structure of our government to change to Socialism so it’s not that I’m so pretty it’s just said they’ll vote against what’s there.”…
November 1: NBC SanDiego posted an article titled: “What’s the Scoop on Congressional Races in San Diego?” From the article:
…The 51st District spans most of San Diego and is currently represented by the most junior member of San Diego’s congressional delegation, Democrat Sara Jacobs. Her challenger is Republican business owner Stan Caplan.
“It’s a very blue district. She faces a Republican opponent, but Sara Jacobs has that name recognition, a. track record and a district that should be safe for a number of elections going forward,” Thad Kousser said…
November 9: Fox 5 San Diego posted an article titled: “Jacobs wins reelection in 51st Congressional District” From the article:
Rep. Sara Jacobs, a Democrat incumbent, has won reelection in the 51st Congressional District, the Associated Press projected Tuesday night.
Jacobs, San Diego’s youngest member of Congress, has garnered 59% of the vote compared to her Republican challenger Stan Caplan’s nearly 41%, elections results showed as of Wednesday afternoon…
…Jacobs was first elected in 2020 and serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. A member of the powerful local family Qualcomm, Jacobs was a policy expert who worked at the United Nations and Unicef before her election.
In an April interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jacobs touted her role in temporarily expanding the child tax credit, and vowed to continue fighting to make that benefit permanent. She also highlighted pieces of the Build Back Better COVID-19 recovery plan that she co-authored, including sections on environmental measures. Jacobs called for a transition to a “clean energy economy,” driven by major investments in new infrastructure.
Jacobs advocates for a complete overhaul of the U.S. immigration system, a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers” and an immediate increase in the number of federal immigration judges available to process a backlog of asylum requests and other cases.
Ballotpedia provided the results of the General election for U.S. House California District 51:
- Sara Jacobs (D): 61.9% – 144,186 votes
- Stan Caplan (R): 38.1% – 88,886 votes
California’s 52nd Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 52nd congressional district:
California’s 52nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. State of California. The district is currently represented by Democrat Juan Vargas.
The district currently includes south western portions of San Diego County. Cities in the district include National City, Chula Vista and most of Imperial Beach.
As of the 2020 redistricting, California’s 52nd congressional district is located in Southern California. It encompasses the South Bay region of San Diego County.
San Diego County is split between this district, the 50th district, and the 48th district. The 52nd and 49th are partitioned by San Miguel Rd, Proctor Valley Rd, Camino Mojave/Jonel Way, Highway 125, Upper Otay Reservoir, Otay Lakes Rd, Otay Valley Regional Park, Alta Rd, and Otay Mountain Truck Trail.
The 52nd and the 50th are partitioned by Iowa St, University Ave, Inland Freeway, Escondido Freeway, Martin Luther King Jr Freeway, John J Montgomery Freeway, and San Diego Bay.
The 52nd and the 51st are partitioned by El Cajon Blvd, 58th St, Streamview Dr, College Ave, Meridian Ave, Lemerand Ave, Highway 94, Charlene Ave, 69th St, Imperial Ave, Larwood Rd, Taft St, Lincoln Pl, Glencoe Dr, Braddock St, Carlisle Dr, Carlsbad Ct/Osage Dr, Potero St, Carlsbad St, Innsdale Ave, Worthington St/Innsdale Ln, Braddock St, Carlisle Dr, Carlsbad Ct/Osage Dr, Potero St, Carlsbad St, Innsdale Ave, Worthington St/Innsdale Ln, Brady Ct/Innusdale Ln, Parkbrook Way/Alene St, Tinaga Ln/Bluffview Rd, Highway 54, Sweetwater Rd, and Bonita Rd.
The 52nd district takes in the cities of Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach, as well as the census-designated place Bonita. It also encompasses the San Diego neighborhoods of Paradise Hills, Logan Heights, Encanto, Mountain View, Barrio Logan, Shelltown, Lincoln Park, Nestor, Otay Mesa, and South San Diego.
Ballotpedia provided information about Juan Vargas:
Juan Vargas (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing California’s 52nd Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2023. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.
Juan Vargas (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 52nd Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the primary scheduled on March 5, 2024.
In 2018, Vargas defeated Republican Juan Hidalgo Jr. (R) by a vote of 71 percent to 29 percent.
Vargas is a former Democratic member of the California State Senate, representing District 40 from 2010 until his resignation on January 2, 2013. Prior to his election to the California State Senate, Vargas served in the California State Assembly from 2001 to 2006. He was also a member of the San Diego City Council.
As of 2019, Vargas served on the Committee on Financial Services, including the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Juan Vargas earned his B.A. in political science from the University of San Diego in 1983. He went on to receive his M.A. in humanities from Fordham University. He then earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Vargas worked for Luce, Forward, Hamilton and Scripps as an Associate Attorney.
Ballotpedia provided information about Tyler Geffeney:
Tyler Geffeney (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 52nd Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Tyler Geffeney was born in California. Geffeney earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1995 and a graduate degree from Biola University in 2010. His career experience includes owning a mortgage finance business and working as a minister.
Typer Geffeney completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I believe wholeheartedly in the American dream as my life is a testimony to it. Raised by a single mother and then later with my stepfather, our family subsisted at times on food stamps until I eventually worked my way through high school and college, graduated from U.C.Berkeley Hass School of Business in just over 3 years, and then launched and ran several mortgage finance companies while at the same time serving as a minister and pastor on behalf of the church.
Yet our coveted American dream is under assault by an insidious leftist agenda coming out of the Democratic Party whose intentions are clear; destroy Western culture and everything that formed the foundation to American exceptionalism. So now I seek to go to our capital to stop the leftist insanity and restore the original biblical foundations of our government. My plan will oppose the Democrats via (1) the reestablishing free-market economics policies (2) fix election integrity (3) abolish government overreach in all its forms (4) uphold individual and family rights (5) abolish the slaughter of innocent babies in the womb,… and much more. Together we will once again restore our constitutional republic which once made America exceptional – and will do so again!
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- Restore faith in God. John Adams wisely state “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” He was and is right. And today we are seeing the utter breakdown of society on account of having lost site [sic] of this vital foundation for American governance. We are at a watershed moment in our nation’s history where we are experiencing large-scale corruption of our government, dishonest media, the moral breakdown of families, rampant dishonesty in business, evil indoctrination in government schools, and an increasingly enticed populous. If we are to flourish as a nation we must restore biblical virtue to our country.
- Skyrocketing crime under Democratic policies are fueling the meltdown of society. Defunding the police is true idiocy. Pitting races against each other as “oppressors and the oppressed” via CRT curriculum is not the solution. Relaxing sentencing and changing laws to decriminalize what we all recognize as wrong is not the solution. We need to revers the work of the Democratic party initiatives and empower the police and the prosecutors to do their jobs and restore law and order. Tying the hands of law enforcement and passing ridiculous criminal “reform” that decriminalizes felonies will of course decrease crime stats while increasing actual crime. No sane person wants the anarchy of the Democratic policies. We must reverse course.
- Inflation cripples the poor hardest. Rising gas, food, and home prices are the direct result of numerous Democratic derelictions: Consider gas 1) CA has a special blend of gas that the rest of the nation does not use and drives our prices up. 2) CA has the highest gas tax in the nation. 3) Continuing to print money for “free stuff” leads to the collapse of a currency and shutting down businesses during covid cuts supply and together leads to inflation. We must reverse the Democratic policies which included inflation and bring back the economy of the former Republican administration.
What areas of public policy are you personally interested about?
You can see what I am most passionate about by visiting my website at www.tyler4congress.com
Ballotpedia provide information about Joaquín Vázquez:
Joaquín Vázquez (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 52nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on June 7, 2022.
Joaquín Vázquez was born in San Diego, California. He earned an associate degree from San Diego City College in 2012, a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from the University of California at Davis in 2016, and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University in 2018. Vázquez’s career experience includes founding Organizing For Progress and working as its executive director, as an analyst with the Housing Rights Center, as a financial regulatory compliance consultant, in public policy with the Obama Administration, and as a community engagement director at Border Angels. Vázquez has been affiliated with Organizing For Progress; Obama’s Organizing For Action, and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.
Joaquín Vázquez completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Here are some of the questions he answered:
You are you? Tell us about yourself.
I’m a son of working-class Mexican immigrants, born and raised in City Heights, San Diego. I overcame childhood family separation and homelessness after my father’s deportation, which led to my family’s eviction. I have lived a transborder life since then, crossing often between San Diego and Tijuana to be close to my parents. My life experience is what has driven me to give back to the community as an organizer, empowering working-class and marginalized families to be civically engaged.
I served in the federal government in Washington, DC during the Obama Administration, working on economic, labor, and environmental policy within the Department of Commerce and then the Executive Office of the President.
Internationally, I saved the UN Refugee Agency, and worked on development policy in Geneva for the UN Conference on Trade and Development, helping least developed countries get a seat at the table at the United Nations & World Trade Organization. I hold a Bachelor’s in Political Science & International Relations focused on Poverty & Economics from UC Davis and a Master’s in Public Policy & Administration from Northwestern University. During COVID-19, I founder Organizing For Progress, a national nonprofit dedicated to building civically engaged grassroots leaders, assisted governments via the Housing Rights Center to provide emergency rental assistance funds to impacted tenants and landlords, and helped migrants as Border Angels’ Community Engagement Director.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
- We need policies like a Green New Deal and Medicare For All to transform the economy into a just one, leveling the playing field to guarantee economic opportunity for all, fight the climate crisis, and a federal jobs guarantee that secures good paying jobs with livable wages for everyone.
- I am fighting to end homelessness through enacting a national homes guarantee. I am fighting for immigration reform to ensure that we finally provide a pathway to citizenship for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants in America,. I am also fighting to pass sensible gun laws to protect our communities, keep children safe, and ensure that we end the gun violence epidemic the avoidable massacres we’ve seen at schools no longer happen.
- Protect Democracy: We must get greed and corrupt money out of politics through campaign finance reform, and establish term limits so that politicians work for the people and not for their corporate donors and special interests in Washington, while they sit in these seats of power for a life time once elected.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
The economy, immigration, healthcare, gun laws, environment, jobs, small businesses, education, criminal justice, equality, ending corruption, protecting voters and democracy, justice for veterans, mass transit, financial systems reform and ensuring the wealthiest of our country pay their fair share of taxes.
January 31: Patch San Diego, CA posted an article from City News Service titled: “Vazquez Announces Candidacy For 52nd Congressional District Seat” From the article:
Community organizer Joaquin Vasquez has announced plans to run in the June primary in the reapportioned 52nd Congressional District, facing Rep. Juan Vargas, a fellow Democrat.
Vazquez was born and raided in City Heights. During the coronavirus pandemic, he has advocated for housing rights and worked with the San Diego area non-profit Border Angels. He is the executive director for Organizing For Progress.
“(Vasquez) is eager to ring a new approach to local politics, with experience, a voice of conscience, and empathy to get the necessary resources for working families to bounce back from the global pandemic through legislation that helps them retake control of their lives,” a campaign news release said.
Vasquez finished 11th in a field of 15 in the 2020 primary in the 53rd Congressional District, receiving 3,078 votes, 1.5%, for the seat won by Sara Jacobs.
Vagas, D-San Diego, announced Jan. 7 that he would seek reelection in the 52nd District.
May 2: Patriots for Freedom PAC posted an release titled: “PATRIOTS FOR FREEDOM PAC ENDORSES TYLER GEFFENEY CA-CONGRESS DISTRICT 52” From the release:
Today May 2, 2022, Patriots for Freedom PAC announced its official endorsement of Tyler Geffeney for Congress District 52.
Tyler Geffeney is a husband, father, and a Pastor since 2009. Tyler’s devotion to God and love of humanity brings a solid reprieve to his district. He recognizes the unlawfulness in legislature, the over taxation that has led businesses to flee California marking us the 50th in rank as worst state to own a business in. Tyler plans to address congress and hold them accountable for unlawful actions against the people and our U.S. Constitution. Tyler’s actions are to fight for meaningful immigration reform as our current process creates chaotic border policies, violent crime, trafficking, drug addiction and a troubling environment for all. His focus is to restore common sense law and remove tyrannical rule.
Tyler stands for the following: Education, Safe, Legal Immigration, Right to Life, Family, Freedom and Liberty, Economic Opportunity, Housing and Homelessness, Upholding Constitution Protections and Faith in God. Geffeney is running to restore American exceptionalism for our children, future, and the world. It’s no surprise that Tyler is the one for the job. He focuses on Election Integrity, education, currency stability, lowering taxes, balanced budget, resolve government debt, free market with decreased government regulation combined with incentives to invigorate the economy and expansion that will solve problems. His knowledge, understanding, resolutions, strategic measures and community involvement will serve his district well.
Patriots for freedom wholeheartedly endorses Tyler Geffeney for Congress District 52…
Ballotpedia provided the results of the Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House California District 52:
- Juan Vargas (D): 59.1% – 56,827 votes
- Tyler Geffeney (R): 30.5% – 29,348 votes
- Joaquín Vázquez (D): 10.4% – 9,965 votes
October 24: FOX 5 San Diego posted an article titled: “Meet the congressional candidates running to represent San Diego County” From the article:
The 52nd Congressional District map encompasses San Diego County’s South Bay, with Chula Vista and National City along with Imperial Beach and the border communities of San Isidro and Otay Mesa. The same Democratic congressman has represented parts of those communities since 2013 and is vying to continue…
…Juan Vargas (D) (Incumbent)
Rep. Juan Vargas, a former San Diego City council member, serves on the House Financial Services and Foreign Affairs committees. Issues specific to border communities have often Benn central to his work in office.
Vargas lists tackling climate change among his top priorities, saying he supports the Green New Deal framework that calls for massive investments in clean technology, strict cuts to carbon emissions, and to specifically address the way “underserved communities and people of color are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.”
Vargas also highlights his support for U.S. military veterans, calls for comprehensive immigration reform and anti-discrimination laws that protect people’s sexual orientation and gender identity.
Tyler Geffeney
Tyler Geffeney is a minister and pastor who has run several mortgage finance companies, according to his campaign website.
On his website, Geffeney, who is anti-abortion, calls for the expansion of pregnancy support centers and CalWORKS programs. He also calls for safe and legal immigration, saying “we need to close off our porous border while making the pathway to legal citizenship achievable.”
In the education sphere, Gefenney is a proponent of school choice. When it comes to the economy, Geffenney vows to “reinvigorate the economy of the 52nd district through decreased regulations” and incentives that are business-friendly.
Ballotpedia provided information about the General Election for U.S. House California District 52:
- Juan Vargas (D): 66.7% – 100,686 votes
- Tyler Geffeney (R): 33.3% – 50,330 votes
November 9: Fox5 San Diego posted an article titled: “Vargas wins reelection in 52nd Congressional District” From the article:
Incumbent Rep. Juan Vargas has won reelection in the 52nd Congressional District, the Associated Press projected Tuesday night.
Results in the California General Election as of Wednesday afternoon showed Vargas, a former San Diego County Council member, had garnered 64% of the vote compared to his Republican challenger, Tyler Geffeney’s nearly 36%…
…The Cook Political Report and other non-partisan analysts rate the 52nd a “solid Democratic” district, indicating it would be an uphill climb for a Republican candidate to win there.
Vargas serves on the House Financial Services and Foreign Affairs committees. Issues specific to border communities have often been central to his campaigns and work in office.
Vargas lists tackling climate change among his top priorities, saying he supports the Green New Deal framework that calls for massive investments in clean technology, strict cuts to carbon emissions and to specifically address the way “underserved communities and people of color are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change.”
Vargas also highlights his support for U.S. military veterans, calls for comprehensive reform and anti-discrimination laws that protect people’s sexual orientation and gender identity.
California’s 53rd Congressional District
Wikipedia provided information about California’s 53rd Congressional District:
California’s 53rd congressional district was a congressional district in the U.S. state of California. It was last represented by Sarah Jacobs, who succeeded Susan David following the 2020 election. It was eliminated during the 2020 United States redistricting cycle.
The district was recently in San Diego County. It included eastern portions of Chula Vista, western portions of El Cajon, central and eastern portions of the city of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as Bonita, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Spring Valley in their entirety.
The district was abolished following the 2022 United States census. It was the first congressional seat to be lost after a census in California’s history.