Alex Padilla for California State Senate

U.S. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER
ENDORSES PADILLA FOR SENATE

LOS ANGELES – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer today announced her endorsement of Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla’s campaign for the 20th State Senate District. Valley community members and small business owners joined Senator Boxer and Councilmember Padilla at the Valley Economic Development Corporation for the announcement.

“Alex Padilla delivers results. He’s been a great representative for the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles City Council and I know that he will be a great representative of the San Fernando Valley in the California State Senate. I’m proud to endorse his campaign.” said Senator Boxer.

Senator Boxer was re-elected in November 2004, receiving an overwhelming 70 percent of the vote in the 20th Senate District. Statewide she received more than 6.9 million votes, the highest total for any candidate in the nation except for the two Presidential candidates, and the highest total for any Senate candidate ever.

“Senator Boxer and I have worked together on issues ranging from increasing access to after-school programs to bringing economic opportunities to the Valley to ensuring our police and firefighters are prepared for any emergency. She’s a great champion for the Valley in the U.S. Senate and I’m honored to have her support,” said Councilmember Padilla.

Councilmember Padilla is running for the State Senate seat being vacated by State Senator Richard Alarcon. The primary election will be held in June 2006.

The Valley Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) is the largest non-profit business development corporation in Los Angeles providing affordable business assistance services, direct financial assistance, entrepreneurial training and workforce development to individuals and businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties, with a focus on the City of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. For 29 years, it has assisted thousands of small businesses in the San Fernando Valley neighborhoods that comprise the 20th Senate District.

“VEDC and the San Fernando Valley appreciate the continuing dedication and commitment of Senator Barbara Boxer and Council President Alex Padilla to Valley small businesses and their efforts to bring more government investment to the revitalization of our less developed communities,” said VEDC President Roberto Barragan.

Pacoima-based business owners Nancy Durazo and Andy Gold were among the community and business leaders who joined Senator Boxer and Councilmember Padilla at the VEDC. Jungle Bug, Ms. Durazo’s center that offers child care 24 hours a day and seven days a week, received assistance from VEDC’s Pacoima Microloan Fund and Pacoima Family Development Initiative. Mr. Gold’s Gold Graphics Manufacturing Co. manufactures screen print promotional products and employs more than 100 people. Gold Graphics was the first recipient of an equity investment through VEDC’s Pacoima Equity Investment Fund, a first of its kind fund that makes equity investments in local businesses to encourage job creation in the San Fernando Valley.

Earlier this week, Councilmember Padilla received U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s endorsement.

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