Caroline Menjivar

Caroline Menjivar was born in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. She lives in Panorama City, Calif. Menjivar graduated from Reseda High School. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2009 to 2016.[1] Menjivar earned a B.A. in sociology from California State University, Northridge, in 2015, and a master of social work (MSW) in community organization and advocacy from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2018. Her career experience includes working as an EMT, communications manager from Ambulife ambulance, for the Los Angeles mayor's office, and as director of new program initiatives for MEND.[2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Marine, an EMT, a social worker, and a proud LGBTQ+ woman raised right here in the San Fernando Valley — and I have the honor of representing it in the California State Senate.

My mom worked long hours cleaning other people's homes to keep a roof over our heads. When I was 19, we lost that home in the subprime mortgage crisis and were evicted. That experience shaped everything about how I fight for working families.

Service has always been my path. I served in the Marine Corps from 2009 to 2016 — including under Don't Ask Don't Tell. After active duty, I earned my Bachelor's from Cal State Northridge and a Master of Social Welfare from UCLA. As an EMT and social worker, I saw firsthand what happens when people fall through the cracks — and I carried those stories into office.

Since being elected in 2022, I have expanded fertility and IVF coverage, protected over 200,000 childcare slots, created tenant protections for small businesses, restored millions for senior and foster youth housing assistance, and stood firm to protect Medi-Cal for undocumented Californians — even when it cost me my committee seat.

I bring every part of who I am to this work — because Burbank and the San Fernando Valley deserve a Senator who is rewriting the rules for working families.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordability

No one in Burbank or the San Fernando Valley should have to choose between paying

rent, putting food on the table, or taking their kid to the doctor. But that's the reality too

many working families are living right now — and it's the reality I'm in the State Senate

to change.

That's why I've authored legislation to cap junk fees on certain renters, expand access

to healthcare and childcare, and protect our small businesses so they can stay open. I

reversed cuts to childcare funding and protected 11,000 childcare slots, because no

parent should have to choose between a paycheck and a safe place for their kid.

Rewriting the rules to put working families first isn't a slogan for me — it's the job.Healthcare is personal to me. As an EMT and social worker, I saw what happens when people can't get care, and I carry those stories into every vote I take.

I have stood firm on healthcare for undocumented neighbors even when it cost me my committee seat — because healthcare is a human right, not a bargaining chip. I have addressed our workforce shortage, protected Medi-Cal, and refused to push patients onto emergency rooms when the federal government abandons its responsibilities.

I also authored landmark legislation requiring large group insurance to cover fertility and IVF treatment for the first time in California history — because the dream of starting a family should never come down to what is in your bank account.When I was 19, my family was lost our home, and that experience has shaped every housing vote I take.

Solving homelessness starts with earlier intervention. Most adults experiencing homelessness first faced it as kids, that's why I'm championing a housing bond for transition-aged youth and reforming the foster care rate structure to lift young people out of poverty before the cycle takes hold.

I secured $83.8 million in emergency housing assistance for older adults facing abuse and exploitation — because seniors deserve stability.

We must also reimagine CalWORKs, streamline permitting, and hold landlords accountable for sitting on empty buildings while families go without homes.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The policy areas I am most passionate about are the ones I have lived.

Housing & Healthcare - As an EMT, social worker, and someone who lost their home at 19, I know firsthand what it costs when systems fail people. I've expanded IVF coverage, protected Medi-Cal, and secured $83.8 million for senior housing assistance.

LGBTQ+ equity — I served under Don't Ask Don't Tell. No one should have to hide who they are to be treated with dignity.

Environmental justice — from banning leaded aviation fuel to making polluters pay, the communities carrying the heaviest burden of pollution deserve the biggest investment in clean air, clean water, and a livable future.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

California Democratic Party, California Labor Federation, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, California Environmental Voters, Planned Parenthood Action

Project, Stonewall Democratic Club, Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, California Women's List, CAL FIRE Local 2881, SEIU California, IATSE, ILWU Local 13,

IUPAT DC 36

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Caroline was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, a product of local public schools, from Encino Elementary to

CSUN, Caroline has led a life of service and dedication to the Valley. Shortly after high school Caroline enlisted in the Marine Corps and served from 2009 – 2016. After serving on active duty, Caroline returned to work as an EMT in Van Nuys. She continued her education at UCLA, completing a Master of Social Welfare where she served as a therapist for domestic violence victims and earned the David Bohnett Fellowship that provided an opportunity to work in the Los Angeles Mayor’s Gender Equity Office.

Caroline previously worked as a Field Deputy with Councilwoman Nury Martinez’s office and then as East Valley

Representative for Mayor Eric Garcetti. She volunteers her time serving on the GLSEN Los Angeles Chapter Board

and The Help Group’s Kaleidoscope Advisory Board. Both organizations work to create more inclusive environments

for LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, she serves as the Director of DEI for the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats and

the Public Relations Officer for the San Fernando Valley Marine Corps League. She currently works at MEND, a

nonprofit in Pacoima, as Director of New Program Initiatives.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I'm running for State Senate because I know what it's like to overcome difficult odds. I've experienced housing instability, lost job opportunities because of the economic downturn, and discriminatory policies that prevented me from openly loving my wife. I thrived because I had access to quality public schools and found an accepting and supportive community in the San Fernando Valley.Caroline Menjivar knows firsthand how inequity affects the lives of San Fernando Valley families. Throughout her life, she has overcome difficult odds in pursuit of service to our communities and country.I believe that your zip code, age, race, gender or sexual identity shouldn't determine your destiny. Let's rewrite the rules so every Californian receives the support they need to stay safe, healthy, and thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Let's work together to create more access to:

Mental health and supportive services for all, including our unhoused neighbors

Pathways to housing

Jobs with salaries that support a family

Quality public schools and higher educational opportunities

Affordable childcare

Comprehensive health care for all

Clean air, fresh water, safe and efficient public transit, and more open spaces

Equality and justice for all