Joseph Rocha

Joseph Rocha has experience serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.[1]

Joseph Rocha did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joseph’s grandparents immigrated to California from Mexico to labor in tomato fields and canneries in the 1960s. Through hard work and determination, they climbed into the middle class to build opportunities for their family. Joseph’s mother struggled with addiction, so he spent most of his childhood living with his father, who raised a family of five in Riverside on a truck driver’s salary. But when Joseph came out as gay at 17, he had to move out. Though his early years were marked by hardship, trauma, and housing insecurity, Joseph excelled in school, participated in the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Conference, and worked part-time as a dishwasher.

Joseph joined the Navy on his eighteenth birthday, quickly advancing to become a bomb dog handler, tracking down explosives in the Persian Gulf. After he was discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, he became an advocate for repeal, swearing he would re-enlist and keep fighting to protect his country, as soon as it would let him.

While he fought for repeal, Joseph graduated from San Diego City College, and then the University of San Diego, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Following the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Joseph kept his word, rising to the rank of a Marine Corps Captain and prosecutor, continuing to fight for justice.

Now, Joseph is running for State Senate out of the same sense of duty and service that has guided him his entire life.

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?

Investing in Southern California’s FutureHelping Families Get AheadVeterans

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Helping Families Get Ahead. In the State Senate, I will focus on delivering on basic needs that help to lift people into the middle class such as increasing access to affordable, quality childcare and expanding paid sick leave.

Creating American Jobs. I will focus on creating jobs that lift families into the middle class, and ensuring that everyone working full time can support themselves and their family. I'll work to bring home the resources needed to improve our community's families' economic well-being.

Housing. Families are stretching their budgets to continue living in the community they love. We need commonsense solutions to ensure every family can make their rent and mortgage payments. I will focus on resources that help families remain in their homes, ending discrimination in the housing process, expanding access to first-time homebuyer loans, and investing in smarter community development.

Joseph Rocha did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.