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Press Release
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
El Centro
City Council Member Efrain Silva Endorses 80th Assembly Democratic
Candidate Rick Gonzales
Coachella Valley, CA
(April 15, 2008) – Rick Gonzales, 80th Assembly Democratic
candidate, today announced the endorsement of El Centro City Council
Member Efrain Silva. The endorsement makes evident the growing support
Gonzales has in El Centro and in the Imperial Valley.
"I am honored to receive the endorsement of City Council
Member and Dean of Instruction for the Imperial Valley College Extended
Campus, Efrain Silva,” said Gonzales. If elected, I will work closely
with city leaders and ensure we all work together for the betterment of
our cities and residents."
Silva, who has served in different administrative and managerial
positions for over 20 years, is the most recent city official to pledge
support for Gonzales, making him the candidate with the most
endorsements from elected officials from inside the district than any
other candidate running for the 80th Assembly seat. To date,
Gonzales holds endorsements from a majority of city council members from
the three largest cities in the Imperial Valley, Calexico, El Centro,
and Brawley.
“As a community, we have made tremendous progress,” stated Silva.
“However, there are still many challenges affecting the communities and
the residents of the 80th District. Rick Gonzales is the only
candidate with significant and extensive legislative and private sector
experience to work with and represent the 80th District. As a member of
the Executive Committee of the Imperial Valley Economic Development
Corporation, Rick is deeply aware of the important role our community
colleges play in preparing and training people for the jobs needed in
our community.”
Silva was born in Mexicali, Mexico and immigrated into
the United States at the age of 14. He grew up in Holtville, CA, and
holds a degree in Public Administration from SDSU and an MBA from
Northern Arizona University. He was first elected to the El Centro City
Council in 2007, having already served in other elected positions. In
2002, the California Workforce Development Board recognized Silva with
the “Architect of Change” award.
After graduating from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in political science, Gonzales followed his father’s example of
public service and moved to Washington, DC, to work with the legislative
staff of United States Senator Edward Kennedy, U.S. Representative Ed
Roybal (an early Latino civil rights pioneer), and U.S. Representative
Lucille Roybal-Allard. He later served as Deputy Director of
Legislative Affairs for Vice President Al Gore.
Following a successful
10-year career in public service in Washington, DC, Gonzales returned
home to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the
University of Southern California and for the past five years, Rick has
worked at Wells Fargo where he manages investments in affordable housing
apartments throughout the region, including Palm Springs, Coachella, El
Centro and Calexico.
For more information,
please contact Claudia Suarez at (760) 567-4507
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