Jessica Caloza is a long-time public servant who could potentially become the first Fil-Am woman in the California Legislature. Photo by Derek Humphrey
LOS ANGELES — With the 2024 election a few days away, Jessica Caloza is making her final pitch to voters in the race to represent District 52 in the California State Assembly.
Assembly District 52 represents Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, Glassell Park, Los Feliz, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, East Los Angeles, and South Glendale.
Caloza, in an interview with the Asian Journal, acknowledged that her professional experience, strong community support, and track record of getting things done are what set her apart from her opponent, Franky Carrillo.
“My lived experience as an immigrant and daughter of working-class parents guides my values and the issues important to me: tackling the cost of living, building more affordable housing, expanding healthcare for all, and investing in our public schools,” she said.
She added, “I believe that when our government works, it can transform and change people’s lives like it did my family’s. It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us. That’s what our campaign for Assembly is about.”
The Los Angeles Times editorial board recently endorsed Caloza over Carrillo for showing a lot of knockout points in her campaign platform.
The city’s largest newspaper outfit wrote that “Caloza is a better, more prepared choice to occupy this seat and begin the hard work of helping the state.”
According to the LA Times, “There is no doubt Carrillo could be an extraordinarily valuable voice on criminal justice reform. However, for this seat, The Times’ editorial board recommends Caloza. She has a stronger grasp of the many issues facing the district and more experience for the job.”
Caloza is grateful to have been able to get endorsements — from elected officials such as Attorney General Rob Bonta and LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis and civic leaders like Dolores Huerta — and earn the trust of the community.
“I’m so proud of the diverse coalition we’ve built — we’ve earned the endorsements of hundreds of every day working class people, local leaders, community groups, and families all over the district from East L.A. to South Glendale to Northeast L.A.,” she said.
In the final stretch of her campaign, Caloza has continued to focus on the grassroots campaign to reach out to as many constituents as possible.
“We’ve been knocking on doors and calling voters since last September and we haven’t stopped since. That’s why we were proud to come in first in the March primary despite a crowded field of 10 people because we are putting in the work to earn people’s support and more importantly, we are speaking to the quality of life issues they care about most,” the Assembly candidate said.
She said she had dedicated her entire life to public service because she cares deeply about uplifting underrepresented communities.
“I have a long history and track record of working with our communities to ensure we deliver much-needed resources. So when I announced I would be stepping up to run for this seat, I was deeply humbled by the outpouring of support I received from the community. Our team continues to work hard every single day because we care about fighting for every single person’s vote and support,” she added.
Caloza said once elected, she would humbly proceed with urgency in addressing all the critical issues of the district.
“If elected to the State Assembly, my first priority will be enacting policies that lower the cost of living and deliver for all working families across AD-52, including building more affordable housing, raising wages, protecting renters, supporting small businesses, taking bold action on climate, and ensuring healthcare for all,” she pointed out.
She credits her mission to her upbringing l, having immigrated to Los Angeles from Quezon City, Philippines as a child.
“My parents and siblings worked in hourly fast food and retail jobs. My mom started as a cashier at the 99 cents store and at a gas station then she became a caregiver then a nurse. My parents inspired me to be in public service because I saw how our government programs treated immigrant families like mine—families whose first language wasn’t English, families who relied on public transportation to get around, families who depended on our public school system, and families who depended on the public option because it is the only option for millions of people. I hope all Filipinos vote in this election and make our voices heard at the ballot box,” she said.
The LA Times editorial board further recommended Caloza as she has a stronger grasp of the many issues facing the district and more exprience for the job. In the Obama administration, Caloza worked on higher education policy and womens rights issues. She also worked for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti who appointed her to the city’s Board of Public Works commission.
“She has a strong track record on reproductive rights as deputy chief of staff for California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and she has worked to reduce the state’s backlog of rape kits,” the LA Times said.
“Though California has put in place many protections for abortion access, Caloza says one of her first orders of business would be to pass a bill that supports more funding for Planned Parenthood health centers across the state. She rightly points out that even in California, there are not enough abortion care providers in certain areas of the state outside the bigger urban centers to handle the needs of residents as well as women coming from out of state to seek abortion care,” it noted.
When asked to address her fellow Filipinos in the community, who make up some 14,000 voters in the district, Caloza said, “I’m a proud first generation immigrant, renter, and community organizer. I’ve dedicated my entire life to public service because I believe in the power of government and how it can transform lives when it works. I’m fighting to make sure our government works for everyone.”
