Pivotal Immigrants Rights Group Gives Endorsement To Lou Correa For Congress
Press Release
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 13 through December 16. 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.
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