Christian Mendez

Christian Mendez was born in Los Angeles, California. He earned a bachelor's degree from the California State University, Long Beach in 2017. Mendez's career experience includes working as a data analyst.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Christian Mendez. I'm a Democratic Socialist currently performing Data Science work as a job.

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. You deserve free Medicare For All, Reduced Rent, affordable homes, affordable education and the ability to actually live not just survive.Justice. You deserve to be safe in your communities. That means ICE should be abolished. ICE agents should go to prison for crimes committed and Trump and his Admin deserve to be investigated.Equality. No matter who you are, you deserve an equal opportunity. I don't care if you're white, black, brown, Catholic, Jewish, Gay/Straight or Trans. You deserve an equal opportunity. You deserve to be treated like a valued Person.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic Policy. It has an effect on all other forms of Policy. Economic Policy can affect personal attitudes on anything from Science to Race. As we enter the Era of AI, I'm also interested in AI policy and what consequences it will have.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Having ideals, conviction, honesty and courage.

What legacy would you like to leave?

One of positive change.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Bush and Gore debacle.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

McDonald's Cook! I loved it. 1 and 6 months. Best coworkers.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Lord of the Rings. First book I bought. It's imaginative and has a sense of nostalgia.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Captain America

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Controlling my need to eat candy.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. We all start with no experience.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Economic Inequality. If Democrats win the next cycle and do nothing with that power, the pendulum will swing to the other extreme. If the Republicans elect a competent young Fascist, then there will be no return.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I wonder if a longer term would allow for better governance. However, I can't answer hypotheticals.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Necessary. Far too many old heads in Congress. They lose touch with normal people in their bubbles.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Bernie and AOC. I admire them both.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

A resident recently told me about their commute times being 2 hours one way. They do so in order to afford living in California.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

No. Democrats have "compromised" for 40 years. Those compromises have gotten us to this miserable point in politics.