LOS ANGELES – Republican Congressional candidate Arturo Alas claims to be less about government and more for the people.
Running in California’s 32nd congressional district, which spans all the way from El Monte to City of Industry, Art’s campaign for the November midterm election promises a “New StART – For Congress, for liberty, for us!”
“The main focus of my campaign is putting the community first,” Alas said in an exclusive interview with Asian Journal. “This means being involved and going out to community events, meeting people, passing out flyers, etc. Even while I’m running for Congress, I want to continue to solve our people’s problems.”
For Art, that means putting the people first before all else. The government, he believes, currently plays “too big” of a role and that by limiting its power and reducing the welfare state, the community can thrive again and can focus on the issues that matter most.
“People came to this country to have freedom and be successful,” Art said of his biggest campaign focus. “They should be able to pursue their rights to life, liberty, and happiness.”
Born in Los Angeles, Art is the first-generation child of immigrant parents who fled El Salvador during a time of political unrest and civil war. He grew up in Azusa and later in West Covina, where he came to know the San Gabriel Valley suburb communities that are a part of his congressional district.
Throughout his career, Art has worked as a real estate agent and served on two terms of the Executive Board of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, currently as the second Vice-Chair responsible for public outreach and oversight. In addition to his work with the LA GOP, Art is a delegate to the Republican Party of California and is well-recognized as a leader in the Latino community.
As an advocate of the people, Art has spent ample time with the community getting to know their concerns coming up with solutions to problems. Several issues Art remains firm about include tax policy and immigration reform. He believes the IRS is being abused, corporations are “in bed” with the government, and that with today’s shrinking middle class, a serious call for fairer taxes is in order.
“Poverty is prevalent, especially here in California,” Art mentioned. “I would love to see this change into a more fair, transparent, and honest system that works better for the people.”
He compared the current immigration system to the “messy, broken DMV.” With the rising number of undocumented immigrants coming through the border for work, he asked, “Why can’t we figure out a visa or work program for people to come here legally?”
Recalling how his immigrant parents have worked hard to give their family a good life, he said, “As long as you are working or seeking work, and you’re a good moral citizen, a permit should be in order to help those hard-working immigrants on the path to become self-sufficient and a US citizen.”
“Too long have our immigrants been under abuse, without representation or rights,” he added. “On a humanitarian angle, we need to watch out for that.”
Art also mentioned how the Filipino community, which is quickly becoming one of the largest demographic of migrants to the US, would benefit greatly from immigration reform.
“People should be able to come home and be with their families,” he said.
In addition to being outspoken on these big issues, Art has reached out to help larger business communities that he believes has a huge impact on the economy and society as a whole. In May of this year, Art helped save Huy Fong Foods in Irwindale, a large factory company famous for their Sriracha hot sauce that has become a staple product of many Asian and American homes. After visiting the new factory and meeting with the owner, David Tran, Art promised to stand up for businesses that are continually being oppressed. In partnership with Tran, Art held a huge protest rally which garnered media attention, and eventually convinced the Irwindale City Council to save the well-loved Sriracha product and in turn save thousands of jobs.
“[The rally was] a huge victory, because the community got involved. They saw that they no longer have to take what the government is doing, and they saw the power of engagement and having a voice,” Art said proudly.
Art’s campaign strategy involves going to community events, public outreach, and phone banking to let people know of his ideas. He especially loves being involved with today’s youth, many of whom he says are volunteers for his campaign. “The message of liberty really resonates with young people,” he said.
“My platform is all about creating a thriving environment like an economic freedom zone, with reduced income taxes, lax federal regulation, and the right to privacy,” he continued.
Lastly, Art emphasizes the importance of voting for individuals, not parties, in the upcoming Nov. elections.
“It’s time to look at the individuals who are running, who will make change; we can’t just look at parties anymore; we can’t go into the voting booth blinded,” he affirmed. “We need fresh blood into Congress to help bring our country forward.”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend October 25-28, 2014 Sec. A pg.1)
