For Gilroy City Council: Rebeca Armendariz

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Rebeca Armendariz

By Rebeca Armendariz

I am running for Gilroy City Council because the voice of the working people has long been neglected and compels an advocate. My life and career have been spent advocating for youth, workers, women, and immigrants, including many of our essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 is a stark reminder that our healthcare system is sorely lacking for essential workers and our most vulnerable residents. Unfortunately, Gilroy has not escaped the COVID-19 crisis, consistently having among the highest number of cases in our county. As part of the Health and Racial Equity Task Force I serve as a voice for Gilroy at the regional level. Gilroy also has the highest rate of Medi-Cal recipients in the county which is why I supported the county purchase of St. Louise Hospital. The housing crisis has forced friends, family and countless others to uproot and move to the Central Valley, away from their community. Gilroy’s working people need affordable homes, as they provide the valuable and necessary labor that makes #GilroyStrong. The housing crisis has also left us a disproportionate amount of unhoused folks on our streets, for which we need humane, expedient, and attainable solutions.  This issue is a top priority for me. In addition, I am also committed to improving our historic downtown, preserving open space and reducing traffic congestion.

My principled views and values drive my work. My passion for activism was inspired by my mother and is driven by my family. I hope to instill in them the values of civic duty, responsibility, and a lived citizenship. I have served on the Gilroy Planning Commission (2016-2020), the Housing Advisory Committee, the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee and the Parks & Recreation Commission. I am proud to be a founding member of local nonprofit CARAS, Gilroy Growing Smarter, and Chair of Yes on Measure H campaign. If elected, I would be a conduit for information and action between the needs of my fellow Gilroy residents and our City government. I would be honored to have your vote.