Blanca Pacheco for state Assembly
As someone who has known Downey Mayor Blanca Pacheco for more than a decade, since before she was elected to public office, there are things I can say about her with absolute certainty:
She is honest.
She enjoys helping others.
She never intended to be a politician.
Pacheco, a Democrat, is one of two candidates for the 64th state Assembly district. Her opponent is Republican Raul Ortiz Jr. If elected, Pacheco would be the first Downey resident to serve in the state Assembly.
But Pacheco making history for the City of Downey is a convenient bonus, not a selling point. The truth is that Pacheco is the more qualified candidate, the more experienced candidate, and the candidate best equipped to advocate for her constituents in Sacramento.
Pacheco is a practicing attorney and real estate broker. She was elected to the Downey City Council in 2016 and was elected mayor in 2020, helping lead Downey’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As mayor, she spearheaded a rent moratorium for both commercial and residential tenants, helping families stay in their homes and small businesses stay open.
Pacheco’s upbringing is a story of perseverance, not privilege. The daughter of a nurse and school bus driver, she attended elementary school in Cudahy and then middle school and high school in Downey. As a teenager, Pacheco spent weekends with her dad mowing lawns to make extra money. She and her dad, Gonzalo, also taught karate.
Pacheco went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA, with a specialization in Chicano/a studies. Then came Loyola Law School; she passed the California State Bar exam in 2003.
After law school, Pacheco worked as a substitute teacher in the Downey Unified School District. She also worked as a part-time paralegal instructor at Downey Adult School.
As an attorney, Pacheco has worked in municipal law and estate planning. She donates her time and services, often helping low-income, mostly Spanish speaking families.
But more important than Pacheco’s biography are her plans for the state of California. One of her priorities is reducing homelessness and she plans to do this through policy that supports the construction of affordable housing.
“I’ll also work to reduce homelessness by advancing compassionate policies like investing in supportive and permanent housing, mental health services, job-training, and more, to provide resources to those in need while helping to get people off the streets and into housing,” Pacheco said.
Other priorities include:
Creation of middle class jobs -- “Nobody in California should work a full 40 hour work-week and still live in poverty,” she said. “That’s why in the State Assembly, I’ll work to ensure livable wages for California’s working people, protect workers’ rights and their ability to form or join a union...”
Funding public education -- “I strongly support ensuring high-quality early education and universal pre-K for all children,” she said. Pacheco also supports free community college for California residents.
Combating climate change -- “In the State Assembly, I’ll work to protect our environment and address climate change, while safeguarding clean air and clean water for our communities,” Pacheco said. “I believe we can protect and create good jobs, and simultaneously ensure a cleaner, safer environment for all Californians if we work together.”
Affordable healthcare -- Pacheco supports expanding access to healthcare and protecting women’s reproductive rights. “I also believe we must lower the cost of prescription drugs as nobody in our community should be forced to choose between paying for healthcare or medicine and putting food on the table for their family,” she said.
Enhancing infrastructure – “I will work to invest more in infrastructure, from upgrading and expanding mass transit to universal broadband to clean energy technologies, modernizing our transportation hubs, roads and bridges and more,” she said. “These investments will not only help ensure the long-term competitiveness of our economy and level the playing field for so many disadvantaged communities, but it will also create countless good paying, middle class jobs.”
It’s clear that Pacheco’s political ideologies swing left, which will satisfy the majority of residents living in the newly-drawn 64th assembly district encompassing Downey, Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, La Habra, La Mirada, Los Nietos, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs and South Whittier.
But on the City Council, Pacheco has proven herself a moderate willing to work with people across the political spectrum. She supports law enforcement and has been endorsed by Republicans, Democrats and independents.
Blanca Pacheco has dedicated her adult life to helping her neighbors and community. She will be missed on the Downey city council but the time is right for a promotion to the state legislature.
Vote for Blanca Pacheco. She will make Downey proud.
Eric Pierce is editor of the Downey Patriot.