PIVOTAL IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS GROUP GIVES ENDORSEMENT TO LOU CORREA FOR CONGRESS

Senator Lou Correa
Senator Lou Correa
Senator Lou Correa

Correa Earns Hefty Backing from Californians for Humane Immigrant Rights Leadership Action Fund (CHIRLA) in CA-46 Bid

SANTA ANA, CA— Continuing to showcase his commitment to the immigrants’ rights movement and passing comprehensive immigration reform, today former State Senator Lou Correa earned the endorsement of the Californians for Humane Immigrant Rights Leadership Action Fund (CHIRLA Action Fund) in his campaign for California’s 46th Congressional District.

Throughout the past three decades, CHIRLA Action Fund has empowered immigrants and their allies to build a more just and civil society through advocacy, coalition building, and promoting multi-ethnic relations.

In a letter sent to Correa’s campaign for Congress, Angelica Salas Board Chair of CHIRLA Action Fund, wrote: “We are writing to you [Lou Correa] to let you know that you have been endorsed as a candidate for Congress in California’s District 46 by our CHIRLA Action Fund Board of Directors. It is with great pleasure that the CHIRLA Action Fund has endorsed a candidate who has delivered to the immigrant community as a state elected official and who we trust will do the same in the federal level… “Our immigrant Latino community welcomes the opportunity to help you on your effort to put our country back on the right track. Congress is in a moment of crisis with the inability to move immigration legislation forward that would pave the road for the future success of our nation. With a clear vision that is inclusive and welcoming, your leadership can make a difference in Washington D.C. “Our nation was built on immigrants and their labor. We are proud to endorse a candidate who will represent the needs of all of our communities regardless of immigration status. Together we can make a difference in the lives of millions of New Americans across the country and right here in California’s 46th District.”

In response to the endorsement, former Senator Lou Correa released the following statement: “Throughout my career I have been a strong advocate for the immigrants’ rights movement. I fought for drivers licenses for immigrants and educational scholarships for DREAMers, and I worked to create a community where all cultures could live together and thrive. This country was founded on the hard work of immigrants. That’s why I believe deeply in the importance of treating them with the dignity and the respect they deserve. I want to thank CHIRLA Action Fund for their support of my campaign. I look forward to working with them to develop comprehensive immigration reform that focuses on a pathway to citizenship for the undocumented individuals living in our country.”

Just days ago Correa landed a formidable endorsement from the Garden Grove Firefighters Association.

This news follows a poll showing Correa with an enormous lead, nearly 30-points ahead of his closest competitor.

The poll, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, is relatively fresh out of the field, and was conducted from December 13th through December 16th. The initial results show Correa with a decisive lead over all other candidates:

  • 37% Lou Correa
  • 5%   Joe Dunn
  • 4%* Jordan Brandman
  • 8%   Bao Nguyen
  • 12% Adam Nick
  • 1%    Other
  • 33% Undecided

After messaging, Correa’s support grows to 43%, while the other candidates’ totals remain nearly unchanged. The memo showed Correa with a net favorability rating more than double that of any other candidate in the race.

To read the polling memo, click here. 

Beyond today’s announcement, Correa has racked up widespread support from organizations and leaders, including: Organizations

  • United Farm Workers of America (UFW)
  • California Police Chiefs’ Association
  • Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC)
  • National Latino Peace Officers Association
  • California Small Business Association
  • Building Our Leadership Diversity (BOLD) PAC
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501
  • Santa Ana School Police Officers’ Association
  • Santa Ana Police Officers’ Association
  • Anaheim Police Officer’s Association Political Action Committee
  • Orange County Deputy District Attorneys
  • Garden Grove Firefighters Association

Elected Leaders 

  • House Democratic Caucus Chair & Congressman Xavier Becerra
  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair and Congresswoman Linda Sánchez
  • Congresswoman & former State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
  • Congresswoman Judy Chu
  • Congressman Juan Vargas
  • Congressman Alan Lowenthal
  • Congressman  Pete Aguilar
  • Congressman Ted Lieu
  • Congressman Tony Cardenas
  • Congresswoman Norma Torres
  • Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD.
  • Congressman Ruben Gallego
  • Congressman Luis Gutierrez
  • Congressman Ruben Hinojosa
  • Congressman  Filemon Vela
  • California’s State Treasurer John Chiang
  • California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
  • California State Senate President Pro-Tem Kevin de León
  • California Board of Equalization Chair Jerome Horton
  • California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante (Ret.)
  • California Latino Legislative Caucus Chair and State Assemblyman Luis Alejo
  • California Legislative Black Caucus Chair & State Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer
  • California State Senator and former Air Force General Richard Roth
  • California State Senator & LGBT trailblazer Mark Leno
  • California State Senator & Labor Committee Chair Tony Mendoza
  • California State Assemblywoman & former San Diego Central Labor Council Leader Lorena Gonzalez
  • California State Senator Lois Wolk
  • California State Senator Jerry Hill
  • California State Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes–Eggman
  • California State Assemblyman Henry Perea
  • California State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva (Ret.)
  • California Supreme Court Justice, Hon., Cruz Reynoso (Ret.)
  • California State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia
  • California State Assemblyman Jose Medina
  • Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchins
  • Santa Ana City Council Member Michele Martinez
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Board President John Palacio
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Clerk Valerie Amezcua
  • Santa Ana Unified School District Board Member José Alfredo Hernández, J.D.
  • Santa Ana City Councilwoman Angie Amezcua
  • Buena Park City Councilman Art Brown
  • Anaheim Union High School District Board President Annemarie Randle-Trejo
  • Anaheim Union High School District Board Member Al Jabbar
  • Anaheim City School District Board of Education President Bob Gardner
  • Anaheim City School District Board of Education Member Ryan Ruelas
  • Anaheim Police Chief John Welter (Ret.)*
  • City of Garden Grove City Council Member Kris Beard
  • Huntington Beach Unified School District Board Member Bonnie Castrey
  • Los Angeles City Councilman, past State Senator Gil Cedillo
  • Artesia City Council Member Ali Sajjad Taj

Community Leaders

  • South County Labor Chair Ray Cordova*
  • Orange County-based LGBT activist Gregory Willenborg*
  • Pastor of the largest African American church in Orange County, the Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.*

Correa served in the California State Senate, representing the 34th District, from 2006- 2014 and served the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. Prior to the Senate, he served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 1st District. Before his time on the Board, Correa served in the California State Assembly representing the 69th District. *Titles for Identification Purposes Only.

For more information, please visit www.LouCorrea.com.