Contact: Maya Polon, maya@paschalroth.com
Maria Elena Jauregui, Spanish-language, 818.355.5291
Sacramento, CA – The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California today announced the 750,000 – member organization’s endorsement of Ana Palacio, an emergency room nurse and patient advocate who is running for State Assembly in the 35th district (Bakersfield). Riko Mendez, Chief Elected Officer of SEIU Local 521 and Executive Board Member of SEIU California, said:
“SEIU members are proud to put our energy and resources behind Ana Palacio for Assembly. Growing up in a rural community, Ana knows the kind of struggles Valley families are facing now: working two and three jobs to keep the lights on, and worried sick that we can’t spend enough time with our families. An emergency room nurse, Ana sees every day how our hospitals are shouldering the crisis of unmet housing and mental health needs.
“Ana knows that to solve these problems, the Valley needs an economy centered on working people’s needs. Families are more and more worried we’re just one broken arm away from bankruptcy. Ana helped lead the fight to keep Kern Medical Center open so our community wouldn’t lose our only trauma hospital. We know she’ll keep fighting to make sure everyone in the Valley has the care we need and can afford.
“SEIU California members are committed to electing more working people to public office, real people who understand our lives and challenges and will put working families first.”
A new poll by SEIU California in Assembly District 35 found Palacio has overwhelming favorability with likely 2026 primary voters after they learn more about her background as a healthcare worker and champion for working families.
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SEIU local unions in California are made up of workers in frontline, essential roles across the state: nurses, healthcare workers, janitors, social workers, security officers, in-home caregivers, school and university employees, court workers, airport workers, and city, county and state employees.
