Villegas: “Our community deserves a representative who will look out for them, but Rep. Valadao has sold us out to corporations and billionaires.”

Kern County, California – Today, local professor and school board trustee, Randy Villegas announced his campaign for Congress in the 22nd Congressional District of California. As a first generation American and educator, Villegas has a proven record of fighting for his students and California working families and will fight for our community in Congress.  

Villegas is running for Congress to stand up for hard working families who are working hard but falling through the cracks, struggling to find jobs that pay a living wage and afford health care costs. Because he understands what it’s like to be a working person in California’s Central Valley, he’ll fight for a more just economy, where everyone who can afford to feed their family, have a safe place to live, save for the future, and get the health care they need without going bankrupt.

“My parents raised us to work hard, to look out for one another, and stand up for what’s right. Our community deserves a representative who will look out for them, but Rep. Valadao has sold us out to corporations and billionaires, and is more concerned with cutting Medicaid so he can pass tax cuts for the wealthy than looking out for working families,” said Villegas. “I will fight for my community every day, and work with anyone, to ensure that economic opportunity reaches every part of our community, and that families have access to the essential government programs that keep children fed and healthcare accessible.” 

About Randy Villegas: 

Randy is a son of the Central Valley, growing up in a working-class immigrant family. As a child, Randy relied on essential federal programs like SNAP, which are now under attack, often going hungry. Randy worked with his family at the local swap meet (Flea market) on weekends to help them make ends meet. Randy has dedicated his life to public service and working for others. The Central Valley gave Randy and his family their shot at the American Dream. 

After Middle School graduation, Randy went straight to work at his family’s auto shop. While in college, Randy became involved in the community as a journalist, community organizer, drumline/marching band coach at local schools, and research assistant at CSUB.

After graduating from CSU Bakersfield, Randy earned a full-ride Fellowship to UC Santa Cruz, which he attended for his graduate and doctorate degrees. At the age of 25, Randy became a full-time tenure track professor at the College of the Sequoias. Shortly after returning to the Central Valley, and beginning his job, Randy knew his dedication to public service went beyond only teaching. Juggling a full-time job and working towards his Ph.D., Randy was sworn in and appointed to be a trustee for the Visalia Unified Board of Education. 

Randy was then elected to his seat becoming the only Latino and only Democrat on the school board. Randy’s accomplishments on the school board include updating graduation requirements, so more students are college and career-ready; Increasing investments in our students including 24/7 tutoring support; increased funding for Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA), transportation, and new trailers; Refinancing Measure E, leading to a savings of approximately 6 million dollars for our taxpayers in the district; upgraded facilities across the district, including HVAC, science classroom modernization, and gym restoration; Adapting the district’s first Pride Month resolution. 

Follow Randy’s campaign on Twitter and Facebook. 

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