I’m Joe.
Born and raised up north in Lincoln, California, I’m not a stranger to the distinct issues we face in Santa Cruz or the Golden State.
We can move Santa Cruz forward and be leaders—innovating on climate solutions, affordable housing,
and community life quality.
Let’s do this.
Get To Know Joe
Joe understands the importance of fighting for economic and racial justice. Let them tell you what we’re doing
about it, why we’re doing it, and how
you can get involved.
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I was born in Carmichael, California and I’m the youngest child of five. I have three sisters and one brother. Shortly after I was born, my family decided to move to Lincoln, California where I spent most of my time growing up. During high school, I had to work 2 jobs to pay the bills and make ends meet. After going to the dentist and not having health or dental insurance, I was estimated to have $20,000 out-of-pocket of dental work due to a birth defect that makes my enamel highly susceptible to cavities. This was just one experience that pushed me to fight for policies that make our society more equitable.
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• I believe that everyone has a right to a safe environment and housing.
• I have been a tireless advocate for Seniors, Students and workforce affordable housing. I will continue to fight for social, affordable, and sustainable housing.
• I will work to expand options for extremely low, and low-income housing by redeveloping sites, unused plots, or other accessible sites near transit hubs.
• I will push policy development to ensure developers are paying their fair share to benefit the Santa Cruz community and supporting workers living where they work.
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• I believe that protecting and restoring our environment and combatting climate change needs to be at the front lines of city policy.
• I believe that the city needs to be proactive and prepare for future climate disasters, and ensure water access and availability as the climate changes.
• I believe that we should protect sacred and indigenous lands throughout Santa Cruz and California.
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• I believe that all workers should have a living wage in Santa Cruz and be able to have job security.
• I believe in expanding resources to workers about wage theft, misclassification, and other unfair labor practices.
• I will continue to support organizing workers and putting people over profit.
• I believe that by expanding Labor Protections, and fighting back against multibillion-dollar corporations we can keep Santa Cruz local and support small family owned businesses
• I have never and never will cross a picket line.
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Santa Cruz is home
I was born and raised up north in
Lincoln, California, but now I have found my home.
Coming from a working-class Hispanic background, my family is proudly and deep-rooted in throughout Northern California and has lived here for many generations. Now after moving to Santa Cruz to further my education, I plan to stay here and build my life in this beautiful community.
Fighting for a more just santa cruz
Get to know Joe’s thoughts on why this is
the moment for change in a Washington Post
feature video feature on Gen Z organizing.
Experience 🧑🏻💻
&
awards 🏆
Substance Use Disorder Services Commissioner
Santa Cruz County Commission, April 2023 to present.
Alternate Delegate
Santa Cruz County Democratic Central Committee, March 2022 to July 2023.
Executive Committee Member
Sierra Club Ventana Chapter, January 2022 to present.
assembly district delegate
California Democratic Party, February 2023 to present.
2023 LGBTQ+ Leadership Award
Awarded by Congressman Ro Khanna during Pride Month.
2022 Organizing award
Awarded by the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council (MBCLC), 2022.
2022 rising star award
Awarded by the Santa Cruz Democratic Party, 2022.
Joe stood with
UC-AFT Faculty
in Oct 2021
We are stronger when we stand together, united against an establishment that wants to keep us down. Joe knows we hold collective power and if we use that power, we are unstoppable. That’s why he supported the faculty’s fight for their livelihoods.
Read the full article from the
Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Joe canvassing for affordable housing
Everyone should be involved in
elections and policymaking.
Everyone has ideas. We need to hear thoughts from our community.
While canvassing this day, Joe spoke with residents learning about the struggles of renters, homeowners, and students alike about the housing moment we are in. Solutions come from conversations with community members and listening to each other.
why joe fights for unions
Joe describes why fighting for a union is important and critical
for jobs like Starbucks. Joe also explains why young people are
leading the charge and how you can help.