Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2022 - Georgette Gomez, California State Assembly District 80

Today we are continuing our profiles of our favorite Progressive candidates who are running to represent their communities at the state and federal levels, and move the country forward, to continue to ensure that all Americans are equally represented in government.

This week we are profiling Georgette Gomez (she/her/hers). Georgette, a self-described “Queer brown woman from Barrio Logan”, is the former San Diego City Council president, currently running for California State Assembly. With a working-class background, Gomez graduated from San Diego State with a degree in environmental and natural resource geography. Gomez led the Toxic Free Neighborhoods Campaign to protect children from corporate polluters in residential communities. The environment, climate, affordable housing, and fighting corporate greed are all important issues for her.

Where are you based?
San Diego, CA.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
CA State Assembly, District 80th.

Why did you choose this seat?
I recognized the power the state has on local issues and I want to help ensure our communities' issues are being addressed while impacting bigger geography. Additionally, I was also asked to consider running by the outgoing Assemblywoman.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
My campaign has always focused on elevating the issues working families face such as income and housing inequality. Our efforts are community led by BIPOC community members from that live within our district and share our communities lived experiences. We have a progressive agenda that fights for racial, gender, worker, economic, environmental justice and body autonomy.

What inspired you to run?
My commitment to building and influencing a government that is more inclusive and equitable to those that have been intentionally left behind.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district, state, and country?
I am ready to bring bold policies and leadership to tackle the issues facing our district. I want to change how we address housing inequality, we need to work on long term solutions to shelter our unsheltered population. I am ready to take on the fossil fuel industry and corporate polluters and fight so our communities can have cleaner air.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I served for four years as a Councilmember for the City of San Diego. I was able to work on advancing Affordable Housing policies, worked on advancing Climate Justice policies, created a whole department that will focus on Race and Equity, lead on banding harmful jock-holds used by PD and advance transparency and accountability PD policies.

What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
The climate crisis and racial disparities are the most critical issues. We must be willing to be bold and take on the fossil fuels industry and be able to invest in sustainable green technology but also make sure we don’t leave those that can’t afford it behind. As for racial disparities, we need to be intentional to move a bold policy that prioritizes our BIPOC community members first.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
Our country needs to first have the hard conversations before any bridging occurs. We cannot continue to avoid the disparities this country created and continues to operate with.

How would you foresee your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I am a reflection of the new majority, as a first generation queer brown woman, it is time that we have such experiences in government to help share bills that impact folks. I will bring the voice and lived experience and ensure my team is a reflection of the BIPOC community to help advise my policy decisions.

What is your motto in life?
Fight hard for the community, but also enjoy life.

Where can we find out more about you?
Check out my website www.GeorgetteGomez.org, or via twitter, instagram and facebook.