Sarah Rascón

Sarah Rascón graduated from Ramona Convent Secondary School. Rascón earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Merced in 2012 and attended Universität Potsdam. Rascón's career experience includes working in government.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Sarah Rascón is a native Angeleno from El Sereno raised by her immigrant grandmother, shaped by the public school and social services system. A first-gen college graduate from UC Merced, Sarah’s dedication to serving her community began early while interning for the Hispanic College Fund and worked with Southwest Voter Registration Education Project to increase Latino voter participation.

After finishing college, Sarah became a Community Development Organizer and developed STEM programming for Northeast LA youth alongside the late Antonio Gonzalez. She went on to serve as field representative in the California State Assembly for then Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez focusing on issues concerning the Latino and LGBTQIA+ communities as well as environmental policy—particularly those affecting neighborhoods like Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Highland Park, Silverlake and East LA.

Sarah’s dedication to sustainability and environmental justice led her to serve as the inaugural Urban River Program Officer before becoming the Deputy Executive Officer of Environmental Equity for the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority.

Rascón recently worked as Director of County and Regional Affairs for Mayor Karen Bass. She brought together elected leaders from throughout the county, the Board of Supervisors and 87 cities.

Sarah’s civic work has included serving on the East LA Area Planning Commission, board member of CicLAvia, and delegate for the CA Democratic Party.

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’ve spent my career building coalitions and turning ideas from our community members into projects that have improved community safety, climate resilience, and educational outcomes. As your State Senator, I’ll be a champion for amplifying the voices of working families and uplifting our underserved communities."Affordability starting with insurance, healthcare and housing are inextricably intertwined to economic stability, basic necessities that are inseparable from affordability, must not to be treated as a commodity.

A responsible budget that prioritizes Californians must prioritize these basic needs, not undermine and diminish them.Healthcare is foundational – when people are healthy, they can work, support their families, and contribute to our communities. California has the opportunity and the responsibility to lead the nation in building a healthcare system that truly works for everyone. I am a proud supporter of CalCare, California’s single-payer healthcare plan and model, because no one should go without care due to cost, coverage, or corporate bureaucracy. CalCare would significantly reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs by eliminating private insurance overhead, negotiating prescription drug prices, and spreading risk across the entire population. Our communities deserve a system where patients come before profits and where healthcare workers are respected.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Advancing opportunities for our communities. Affordability, Housing and Health Care. Environmental and Social Justice.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, she has been an unwavering champion for working people.

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

Trustworthiness, Honesty, Coalition Builder

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To represent the people of the district, make change for the better through policy, action and representation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

People over politics and special interests-it can be done.

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

Working at an ice cream shop in Alhambra, Fosselman's, at the age of 16.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Helping everyday people navigate government. Government working for the people.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9/11. I'll never forget when our teacher rolled in a television to watch the news.