Dr. Ed Announces Bid for State Senate Seat
January 30th, 2009
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Sacramento, CA – California State Assemblymember Dr. Ed Hernandez, O.D. (D – West Covina) announced his intention to run for the 24th State Senate seat being vacated by Gloria Romero when she terms out in 2010.

“Today, I am officially declaring my intention to run for California’s 24th State Senate seat,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez will have a strong advantage over other possible contenders because he already represents more than half the 24th Senate district as the Assemblymember in the 57th district.  He has also taken a lead role on issues of importance to the region as Chair of the San Gabriel Valley Legislative Caucus, a group of 13 state Senators and Assemblymembers representing the greater San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles.  Hernandez has worked with this group to champion the region’s needs with regards to transportation, water quality and conservation, economic development, and education.

“I have spent my time in the Assembly fighting for the people who live and work in my district, and I have also had the opportunity to gain critical insight into the issues and challenges facing the larger San Gabriel Valley,” said Hernandez.  “I am ready to take that next step and continue the work I began in the Assembly bringing attention and resources to the people of this region, and addressing the challenges facing all Californians.”

Hernandez already has the backing of several key supporters, including Board of Equalization Vice-Chair Dr. Judy Chu.  Chu, who is also a candidate for Congress seeking the seat being vacated by Labor Secretary Designate Hilda Solis, has given her full support to Hernandez.

“Ed Hernandez enjoys wide support among the people of our region because they see in him the same thing I do, a deep commitment to the communities he serves,” said Chu.  “Ed Hernandez has already proven to be a tireless advocate for us in the Assembly, and I know he will bring that same level of dedication when representing the people of the 24th Senate district.”

Assemblymember Mike Eng from the 49th Assembly District, which overlaps another large portion of the 24th Senate seat, has also given his endorsement to Hernandez.

“Ed Hernandez is someone I have had the opportunity to work side by side with during our time in the Assembly, and I think there is no person better qualified than Ed to represent the people of my district in the State Senate,” said Eng.  “He has been a strong and successful voice for our region by working collaboratively with his fellow legislators, and I know he will be even more effective in the Senate.” 

As an optometrist and local businessman who grew up in the city of La Puente, Hernandez never dreamed he would one day serve in the California Legislature.  His passion to improve people’s access to health care is what finally caused him to run for the Assembly in 2006.  He won the seat in his first bid ever for a publicly elected office.  Since being elected, Hernandez has worked to pass laws that help improve the quality of our water, keep our public transportation affordable, prevent fraud and abuse in our public pension system, and provide for the families of firefighters and police officers critically injured in the line of duty.  He has also fought to expand access to healthcare for all Californians, and was instrumental in successfully securing the funds needed to improve the dangerous 10/ 605 Freeway interchange.

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