“You have to understand that this is a campaign of the people, of the community. I have hundreds of people who have come forward and declared their support. New people, first-time voters.”
Sarah Rascon’s journey from a working-class upbringing to a State Senate campaign reflects the growing political influence of Latino communities in Los Angeles.
Sarah Rascón is a woman full of ideas, projects, and above all accountability.
“When I am involved in a project, I become deeply engaged. That is how I am in this campaign—committed and full of new ideas. It is time for a new generation in our politics. I am part of a generation that has been forgotten, and we will not allow that to continue. Many may say they will fight for young people, but that is not enough. You have to live it,” says the candidate for State Senate District 26.
Rascón knows she leads a new movement. “My campaign is not traditional,” she says, when asked about the money she has or the number of endorsements she has.
“You have to understand that this is a campaign of the people, of the community. I have hundreds of people who have come forward and declared their support. New people, first time voters, people who contribute to a campaign because their aspirations and their lives connect with me. They see me as a reflection of themselves,” Rascón says.
The United States is going through a difficult time. The political and economic situation has been declining. If we analyze it from the perspective of young people, for them these are some of the worst times they are experiencing. This reflection recalls Jeff Daniels’ speech in the series The Newsroom, where he says: “You’re part of the worst generation ever.”
This characterization is not far from the situation young people, and even more so Latinos, are experiencing these days. If you doubt it, ask the Dreamers.
“I am their reflection. I still have student loan debt, the pressure of work, rent expenses and others. They see me where I see myself in them. We need to bring proposals to Sacramento to build policies that help them, that allow them to have hope,” she adds.
“We were close to entering the system, into foster care, but my grandmother, Evangelina López appeared.”
An Immigrant Story
Sarah Rascón was born in this country, but her mother and grandmother were born in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Her parents divorced when she was eight years old, an episode she remembers and shares in interviews.
“My parents were not ready. They got married very young, I don’t blame them. They married twice and divorced twice,” she laughs, remembering the story. “In the first marriage I had not been born yet. They separated, and when they tried again, they did everything again. That is when I was born. I can say I am the daughter of a second marriage,” and she bursts into laughter.
She reflects, “One always wishes that maybe we could have been a traditional family, where parents are born and stay together for life, but that was not my case nor my siblings’. We were close to entering the system, into foster care, but my grandmother, Evangelina López appeared. She took responsibility for us and raised us, and encouraged us to study. For her, that was the most important thing.”
From a young age she was aware of the hard work her grandmother did to make a living. First she was a seamstress and later worked in a school cafeteria so that Sarah could study there at a more affordable price.
A woman she called aunt was also involved in her story and that of her siblings. She taught them from a young age other worlds they had not had the chance to know.
Angelina complained about the condition of the streets, the lighting, how dirty they were. She complained to Sarah, but she did not have answers. She knew the government was responsible for maintaining everything outside her front door, but she did not understand the processes.
“I stayed alert and began to realize it. My aunt would take us to trails, to mountains, to see other parts of California. That is where my interest in ecology and environmental politics began. I believe I am the only candidate with an environmentalist agenda,” she says.
Around the age of thirteen, Sarah made friends who were not well-received by her grandmother. Her grandmother, of Sinaloan origin, was a strong, determined woman.
“Hahaha, it was like a clique, a gang, and I started hanging out with them. I don’t know, I didn’t have all the clothes they wore or behave like them, but as soon as my grandmother found out, she changed my school. I went to a small Catholic school,” she adds.
That benefited her. She needed structure and more discipline. Angelina’s decision was correct. Sarah became more interested in continuing her studies and in planning her future.
Dreams also existed. At that age, one of them stuck in her head. “I wanted to be a judge, to become part of the Supreme Court,” and she laughs again. “I have always been a fair person. I always look for justice, to do the right thing. I do not like inequality, and that feeling is what drives my politics. Well, becoming a judge did not materialize, I did not want to study law.”
Her perseverance was rewarded. She obtained a generous scholarship at UC Merced that allowed her to navigate the world on her own, somewhat apart from her family, and with the tools to know that the right decision was the only possible one.
During that time, her commitment and passion increased. Her aunt told her a famous phrase: “It’s time to be a pioneer.”
Politics, change is possible
After making a few trips she returned to Los Angeles. She joined the Hispanic College Fund, an activity that changed her life. She was allowed to show mostly young Latinos the opportunity to learn about major educational institutions, such as UCLA, showing them that a different world was possible.
“I was passionate about being with them, meeting other mentors, exchanging opinions, seeing their amazement, their hope that those doors could be opened. We exposed Latinos to other Latinos.” she said.
There, a representative from Antonio Villaraigosa’s office at the time came to give a talk. It was Cynthia Ruiz. Her speech was so inspiring that Sarah approached her and later requested an interview. That was where a long journey in public service began, including roles in the Assembly and State Senate, as well as various agencies and municipal organizations.
“I began to understand the work of government and what is needed to make a difference. I have worked in agencies but I have also done community work, in neighborhoods, visiting them at night and on weekends, without a fixed schedule, attending according to needs. I have liked all of those jobs serving the community.”
A break, a connection with nature, a campaign
Sarah also makes time for her personal life, but in activities not far from her interests. She really likes biking, going hiking, and connecting as much as possible with nature.
“We have been a generation that has fought to survive, but we have a lot of pride. As they say, ‘tell me who you hang out with, and I will tell you who you are.’”
Sarah is confident she has a strong campaign. She is reaching voters with her message, and her speech is attracting new voters, those in the struggle, renters, artists. She has met countless young people who want to make a difference.
“There is a lot of hunger to do things, to contribute to our community, especially among young people. We can see many people setting an example, sharing their message. Working together, we can help advance economic equity and social justice. In the State Senate, I will prioritize advancing policies that improve workforce development, housing affordability, environmental justice, educational opportunity, small business assistance, and support for our entertainment industry workers. Without a doubt, I am a new voice. I always try to help, to contribute my part, and to add to that hope, from always shopping at small businesses to supporting projects that promote and spread culture. My campaign is mouth-to-mouth, a community organizing itself. When María Elena Durazo announced her retirement, I thought about who to support. She has always been a voice for those who do not have a voice. I saw that no one was running for the election, and I decided to run. I know it is a big challenge, but we have to start somewhere,” she says, and concludes, “My work is a connection of my values.”
