Lisa Ramirez refuses to be underestimated

The CA-40 congressional candidate comes to The Truth OC to make her case ...

Lisa Ramirez.

Lisa Ramirez, a Democratic candidate in the CA-40 congressional race, wrote this piece as a response to my recent post.

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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

The biggest problem with politics in this country is the money it takes to run for office. The next biggest problem is that people who complain about the money dictating our politics still use it as the measuring stick for campaign viability. I firmly believe that our democracy was designed to be powered by the people and if the people are awake, vigilant and engaged we can out-beat the spend 100 percent of the time.

A true “grassroots” campaign is one that prioritizes localized knowledge and is genuinely grounded in relationships with the community over time. It is connection, community and consensus that delivers victories, not the dollars.

We don’t need to look too far back in history to know that money alone does not win races—people do. Zohran Mamdani defeated a Republican, a fellow Democrat, and an army of billionaire donors when he won the New York City mayoral election. If we count the independent expenditures, Andrew Cuomo outspent Mamdani by approximately $37 million!

In 2026 alone we can look to the U.S. Senate Primary, U.S. House District 2 and Senate District 9 races in Texas, where grassroots prevailed every single time!

And let’s not forget AOC or our history right here in Orange County when, in 1996, Loretta Sanchez was outspent by a factor of five but still won the primary and went on to beat B-1 Bob Dornan in the general election as the second Democrat elected to Congress in Orange County.

Still not convinced? For the moviegoers, we need look no further than streaming services for the feature-film versions of these true American stories: “The Long Game,” “Spare Parts,” “McFarland, USA,” “Moneyball”¹ and “Norma Rae”—all ripe with examples of underfunded contenders triumphing over well-heeled opponents.

Does money matter? Absolutely, no matter how much I wish it didn’t. The dollars play a critical role in reaching voters so they know we exist. Advertising, canvassing literature, signs, etc.—they all cost lots of money. Yet, truth be told, it won’t take millions to win these primaries when you have two things: 1) a strong candidate whose demonstrated track record and character resonates with the people and 2) an army of volunteers who are hungry, who are inspired and who are motivated to step up in extraordinary ways.

It takes a candidate with a message that resonates. A candidate who embodies the qualities, characteristics and values that voters can connect with and relate to and want to fight for because she makes them feel heard. That is the campaign we have built and I continue to be shaped and inspired by our community of volunteers just the same.

Our 300-plus volunteers (none paid, no bots … and Republicans included) can speak from their heart as to why they are sacrificing their time to support our campaign. Our volunteers roll up their sleeves, start postcard parties, canvass on their own, create their own signs and stand out on street corners on a Friday night without me being there or even knowing. Our volunteers take to the streets and to the phones because they believe in the cause, the greater mission. They understand what’s at stake and what it’s going to take to win our country back. They know that by giving it all they’ve got, they are making a difference. Anyone can pay for canvassers; you can’t buy heart.

You can get ICE in an ice cream truck, but that doesn’t get ICE off the streets. Voters are looking for leaders who don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk. Leaders who are willing to walk with them, amplify their voices and fight for them. Leaders whose work is relevant not 25 years ago, but today. The challenges and crises this country is facing calls for new leadership. We need a closer, a Trevor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera—someone who will get the job done.

I have a work ethic that is unmatched by any candidate. I have garnered more support from every Dem Clubs whose members voted (minimum 70 percent, even when there were four candidates in the race!), the overwhelmingly majority vote of the delegates at the pre-endorsement conference and at the Convention (65 percent and 52 percent, respectively), and more votes than the other two candidates combined—despite being the last candidate to enter the race. This is my batting average at work and a testament to the decades of service I have given to this community.

My campaign has the money we need to land in the top two in the primary and win this seat. Every dollar is used strategically, intentionally and with precision. And what’s more valuable than the money is the people-power that fuels our campaign.

I think when there are leaders who really get what it means to be hungry, they fight harder. When you have a leader who knows not to take a vote, a voice or a volunteer for granted and who exhibits the kind of leader people want to see, that defines campaign viability.

The movement we are building is not a movement against something but it is a movement for something greater than ourselves and a vision for what is possible. It’s a fight for the heart of this country rooted in love and service to neighbor. The only limitation we face is the one we create in how we answer the timeless question of, “Who is my neighbor?” My answer: You are. Most great leaders understand this. This campaign is not about me, it’s about We.

Lastly, never underestimate the power of a woman or what she will do to protect her family and her community. What the Lisa Ramirez for Congress campaign is building in CA-40 is nothing short of miraculous.

If I believed that money was the determining factor, I would not be running, and I certainly wouldn’t have the tremendous support of voters, volunteers and donors. I invite your readers who agree with me to join our volunteer movement and/or make yes, a financial contribution at www.lisaramirez.com.

Lisa Ramirez is a Democratic candidate in the CA-40 congressional race.

1. Jeff’s note: As a sports writer, don’t get me started on “Moneyball.” Or just watch this.