Liz Ortega

Liz Ortega lives in San Leandro, California. Her career experience includes working as a political and legislative director with AFSCME Local 3299, one of the University of California’s employee unions. Grayson served on the Alameda Labor Council, including as executive secretary-treasurer. She also volunteers on the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force and the Alameda County Workforce Investment Board.[1]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased May 13, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

For over two decades, California Labor Leader Liz Ortega-Toro has led the fight for vibrant, healthy, and diverse communities by working to create job opportunities and provide healthcare for the most vulnerable.

The first Latina in history to be elected Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Alameda Labor Council, Liz has been an East Bay leader in the fight for an equitable minimum wage to support working families as housing and cost of living has skyrocketed in our region. During the pandemic, Liz fought to secure paid sick leave and hazard pay for essential workers and healthcare providers as a member of the Alameda County Vaccine Equity Task Force .

When Liz was three, her undocumented mother traveled hundreds of miles to California with Liz and her infant brother to seek the American dream. “My family has struggled to achieve our American dream through hard work, community support and a belief that we could have a better life,” says Liz “I’m running for Assembly to level the playing field so every family has a chance of achieving that dream.”

Liz, husband Jason (a former School Board Member) and daughter Yamara live in San Leandro, where Yamara attends local public schools.

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?

Liz is a strong advocate for women's reproductive freedoms and healthcare. That is why she is the only Assembly District 20 candidate endorsed by both Planned Parenthood and the California Democratic Party.Liz has taken the No Corporate Money pledge. She's spent more than two decades challenging the status quo to stand up for working families--and winning. She's a coalition builder who gets results.If elected, Liz will stand up for our reproductive freedoms and women's healthcare, and fight for affordable housing, environmental justice, and safer neighborhoods.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reproductive Freedom

“I’m honored to have the sole endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Mar Monte for protecting access to the care that gives individuals power over their own bodies. Join me in voting YES on Proposition 1 to preserve these rights!”

Housing

“I’ve fought the system for housing affordable for teachers, nurses and first responders. My daughter and your future generations should be able to live in the community where they were raised.”

Job Creation

“I have a proven track record of placing hundreds of people into well-paying jobs --and I’ll champion our small East Bay businesses, who make us stronger by creating great jobs in the communities we love.”

Environmental Justice

“Climate change and environmental racism are the urgent issues of our generation. Join me in the fight to keep polluters and toxins out of our neighborhoods and ensuring clean air for all of us.”

Neighborhood Safety

“Every family deserves to live in a safe neighborhood. I support funding anti-gang and drug prevention, quality education and job placement to address the root causes of crime and neighborhood policing approaches where trained, accountable officers are working with the community to fight gun violence.”

Homelessness

“I’ll tackle our homeless crisis by connecting homeless people and families to compassionate, effective services focused on addiction, mental health, and transitional housing.”