From Pick-Up Soccer Games to Concerts, Villegas Takes His Message to Young and Latino Voters Are

Bakersfield, CA – Over the weekend, Democratic nominee for California’s 22nd Congressional District, Randy Villegas laced up his cleats with 80 players at a pick-up soccer game, and took the stage at a free Vota Con Botas concert, as voters across the district have ballots in hand. Both events follow a Friday night get-out-the-vote rally where Villegas was joined by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and nearly 800 supporters. 

On Sunday, Randy joined Pasala 661, a local Fútbol collective that organizes pick-up soccer games as a way to build community. Villegas joined over 80 players, the majority of them young men, hoping to score a goal while introducing himself and talking about his campaign. 

“For too long both parties have taken young and Latino voters for granted,” Randy Villegas said. “This district is one of the youngest and most Latino congressional districts in the entire country, which is why it’s so important to meaningfully engage and talk with these voters anywhere and everywhere. Not everyone can take time off to go to a political event, so it’s important that we show up where our community is – be it a pick-up soccer game or Saturday night concert – to talk about the issues at stake in this election. That’s why I’ve been committed to running a campaign that meets voters where they are, literally.”

On Saturday, October 24th, Villegas took his message to a larger stage at a Vota Con Botas concert headlined by Regional Mexican group T3R Elemento in Bakersfield. Villegas had an opportunity to address the crowd at the free community concert to talk about his campaign, and his top priorities to serve the Valley: lowering costs, expanding healthcare, and putting an end to lawless ICE enforcement instilling fear in families across the district.

You can find all the images here. 

Additional Background: The median age of voters in California’s 22nd district is 30, making it one of the youngest congressional districts in the country. This district is also heavily working class and Latino (over 64%)