Julio Perez Formally Announces Candidacy for Assembly

We received this formal announcement from Julio Perez this morning regarding the 69th Assembly race.

Anaheim, CA – Calling jobs and education his top priorities, Julio Perez today formally announced his candidacy to represent the 69th District of the California State Assembly. Perez said his campaign already has begun organizing and also announced the endorsements of Anaheim City School District Board Member Dr. Jose Moreno, Santa Ana Unified School District Board Member John Palacio and North Orange County Community College District Trustee Mike Matsuda.

“Sacramento is a mess. We need to stop the bickering and focus on creating good-paying jobs. We need to work together, protect education from deeper cuts and make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Perez, who will have a formal campaign kick-off event in September. “Growing up in Anaheim, I saw how hard my parents worked to make ends meet. That’s why I have dedicated my life to improving the lives of working families and the middle class.”

Julio’s commitment to education was lauded by several education leaders who also announced their endorsement of his candidacy.

“Julio’s passion and experience make him the right candidate to represent our communities,” said Dr. Jose Moreno, a member of the Anaheim City School District board and a professor of Chicano and Latino studies at Cal State Long Beach. “I have worked with Julio for years on issues affecting our community and have seen first-hand his inclusive and open leadership style. He will be the pragmatic and inclusive leader we need up in Sacramento.”

“Julio has a deep-rooted understanding of what our community needs and the skills to be a successful legislator,” added John Palacio, a member of the Santa Ana Unified School District. “He has demonstrated the ability to bring people together to improve our communities.”

“Julio recognizes the vital role education and job-training plays in creating good-paying jobs,” continued Mike Matsuda, a trustee of the North Orange County Community College District. “He knows what it takes to help job-seekers get the skills they need to meet today’s workforce needs and the jobs of tomorrow.”

Throughout his career, Julio has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of working families and to give them a voice in the community. Julio began his career as a policy analyst for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE). He successfully led efforts that encouraged contractors to create good-paying jobs and provide affordable health insurance for workers.

Prior to his current position as senior policy analyst for the United Food and Commercial Workers, Julio served as political director for the Orange County Labor Federation. In this position, he worked with business and community leaders along with elected officials to create and protect good-paying jobs. As a member of the Orange County Workforce Investment Board, Julio has fought for job training programs that meet the needs of job seekers and local businesses. He understands that a well-qualified workforce can help drive business growth in our communities.

Julio is the only formally declared Democratic candidate in the June Primary to represent the 69th Assembly District. The seat is currently held by Jose Solorio, who can no longer serve in the State Assembly due to term limits. The top two vote-getters in the June 5, 2012 Primary will run in the General Election in November. The 69th District has been reapportioned by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission and now includes a large part of the City of Santa Ana along with portions of Anaheim, Garden Grove and Orange.