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Keiko Elizabeth's avatar

Lisa Ramirez is a badass immigration attorney who most recently is representing Narcisso Barranco, the OC father of 3 Marines brutally detained by ICE. Looking forward to watching her campaign.

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Deborah Lima's avatar

I am listening. She is badass.

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Sanford Sklansky's avatar

Needless to say I am not from the OC just a fan of Jeff's work. Have you actually heard her speak. Reading this I thought maybe it was AI

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Eugene Fields's avatar

Take it from a youth soccer coach: There are times being a youth soccer coach is much like being a political candidate/elected official.

If I ever run for office again, I'll make sure to have Capri Sun at every campaign party.

I have no idea who Lisa Ramirez is. And if she is a Democrat, she - and Democrats in whatever city lives in - would be better served in 2026 if she ran for local office.

Redistricting will turn the 40th CD into a GOP stronghold. Save that energy, time and money to run for an office with a better chance of success.

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JIM LEACH's avatar

Esther Kim Varet's credential include that fact that she's "...a mom, an entrepreneur, and a problem solver". Lisa Ramirez is a "...mother, soccer coach, business leader, and attorney". Since when does Mom (or Dad, for that matter) and business person qualify someone to work in Congress? How about some experience in public service?

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G Mulholland's avatar

OK, so the mom/dad part is clearly there to have you get your know the candidate and to show motivation (“I want a better world for my kids.”) As for public service— yes, going from everyday lawyer involved in one of the major issues of our time to Congressperson is a jump, but she’d be far from the first. Katie Porter was a UCI law professor, and she was terrific— and her bio included mom and Scout leader, as I recall. This candidate’s experience is way more relevant than Esther Kim Varet’s art dealer background. I’d like to see what she brings to this race (or the race for whatever district we actually wind up with.)

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Raven Wren Palmer's avatar

The response to every Democrat who is planning to run in U.S. District 40 should be, "Run for local office--school board, city council, water board." That is how the repubs build their bench. Dems need to do the same.

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Sam Myovich's avatar

And I don’t know if this is the same El Pollo Loco she references, but still worth checking. According to Goods Unite Us, corporate donations from EPL go 100% to the Republican Party. And they are adamantly opposed to campaign finance reform.

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G M K's avatar

Why not now?

“In our community, we’ve seen families torn apart on a daily basis, the children that are left behind,” she added. “Even for me, as a lawyer, I just felt that there wasn’t enough that I could do to respond to these kinds of daily challenges. … It’s gotten to a point that I knew I had to do something, and the only thing I could think of doing was to enter this race.” -Lisa Ramirez/OC Register

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Community of Hope's avatar

Totally agree with Eugene! We have a state assembly seat to flip (Kate Sanchez), Capo school board seats and lots of city council opportunities. Don’t dilute the new Republican majority CA40 pool of candidates. It’s a waste of precious resources.

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Camille P's avatar

Thank you for bringing her name to my attention! I am excited to hear her speak!

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Vern Nelson's avatar

She represented Narciso, successfully. You remember Narciso, don't you Jeff?

Still, I agree it doesn't make sense for a Democrat to toss their hat in the ring NOW. Eugene's right she should start with lower local office.

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Sharon Borg Wall's avatar

Thanks for the heads up about this CA-40 candidate. Looking forward to an actual vetting.

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