This episode of The Signal explores the growing political influence of Latino voters in California and what it means for the state’s future. Host Dino speaks with reporter Andrea Valadez about new polling in the governor’s race and key legislative priorities. The show also examines a sharp drop in food assistance access in Arizona and features a conversation with congressional candidate Angela Gonzalez-Torres on representation, policy, and change. Aired live on 90.7 FM KPFK Los Angeles on April 18 2026.
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TRANSCRIPT
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Music Intro
The whole run by a handful of greedy bankers and CEOs who nobody elected. What can't possibly last?
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Music Intro
I'm going to tell you the numbers saying.
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Music Intro
But you really only have to remember.
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Music Intro
You're two words, phrases.
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DINO
Welcome to Los Angeles. Good afternoon.
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DINO
Buenas Tardes!. Welcome to another episode of The Signal. News, information and analysis here on Kpfk Los Angeles. I'm your host, Dino. And welcome to all our listeners online@kpfk.org. And of course, on 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, our friends at 93.7 FM San Diego and 9590 9.5 FM, it's Chris China. We have a great show lined up for you today.
00:00:55:14 - 00:01:23:13
DINO
But before we do, I want to take a brief moment, and share with you an important tidbit of information about a previous, good friend, ally, colleague, and member of the Kpfk family. Today I was, notified of the passing, of the life of, Susan Angela Welsh. So we want to honor her for a brief moment, and I want to spend.
00:01:23:13 - 00:01:47:18
DINO
I am honored to do this. In fact, on my show, she was a good friend, a longtime progressive political activist who helped shape movements here in Los Angeles. And let me say that, again, helped shape various movements here in Los Angeles for more than 60 years. A dedicated supporter of progressive causes in both the US and Ireland. And she was a proud Irish woman.
00:01:47:18 - 00:02:13:20
DINO
She brought her strong Irish roots into everything she did. Susan was also part of the Kpfk family, as I said, contributing her voice, her work to this station. Indeed, I worked with her for several years. We recognize her legacy, her commitment, and her impact. Susan, wish you, safe travels. And, Susan Walsh presented with that. Yeah.
00:02:13:22 - 00:02:41:12
DINO
Again today, we're going to start off the episode with a look at what's happening in Sacramento. So, you know, we're going to bring back one of our favorite reporter's, favorite guests, to talk about political power, who holds it and who's fighting for it and what that actually translates like, into policy, from the growing influence of Latino voters in California to a sharp and alarming, drop in access to food assistance, in the second segment.
00:02:41:12 - 00:03:00:18
DINO
And then later we're going to have in-studio who is also here with her squad. I used to myself walk around with a personal mariachi band, but, my guest, Angela Gonzalez-Torres, candidate for Congress, California 34th district, walks in with her own army of supporters. And we'll get into that.
00:03:00:23 - 00:03:03:23
DINO
So with that, let's start our program.
00:03:04:01 - 00:03:13:19
DINO
And let's start with this. Look at Sacramento and what's shaping the political landscape in California right now, from the governor's race to the policies moving through the state legislature.
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DINO
There's a growing.
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DINO
Recognition that Latino voters are not just a key constituency, but potentially the deciding force in upcoming elections. Now, we've heard this over the years many times, right? The what is it, the sleeping giant? Well, you know what? We're not going to get into a sleeping giant discussion. Because at this time, you know, we know that new polling is showing a chronic Democratic field with no clear frontrunner.
00:03:38:17 - 00:03:59:00
DINO
The lawmakers are advancing Latino caucus legislative packages aimed at addressing long standing economic challenges and to help us make sense of all that good jazz is, Andrea Valadez a reporter with Carlo News who's been covering these developments closely across multiple stories of hers. Andrea, welcome back to The Signal.
00:03:59:02 - 00:04:02:09
ANDREA VALADEZ
Hey, Armando. It's great to be back in song again.
00:04:02:10 - 00:04:04:19
DINO
Yeah. Hey, listen, okay, so you've.
00:04:04:19 - 00:04:31:01
DINO
Been very busy. Following your writings in and out of Sacramento, covering all this good jazz. Let's start off, one of your recent pieces you've covered statewide candidate forum, happened, I believe, earlier this past week focused on Latino voters with several Democratic candidates for governor, coming together to outline their priorities to make the case for the community.
00:04:31:04 - 00:04:50:23
DINO
So with that, at this forum, candidates had a direct opportunity to speak to Latino voters in this big, bad power constituency for what you observed. Were the were they able to take advantage, engage on substantive issues, tailored for this moment?
00:04:51:01 - 00:05:20:06
ANDREA VALADEZ
Yeah, I think definitely it was a mix. I, you know, I think all these people are definitely media trained. So they know how to connect their answers back to their campaign. But clearly they were answering the questions directly and credit to the moderators. All of the questions were very specific to the needs of Latino voters. So they were asked, you know, how they would make sure their teams are diverse and reflect the people of the state and how they would, you know, deal with federal immigration enforcement.
00:05:20:12 - 00:05:24:14
ANDREA VALADEZ
So I think every candidate should answer every question in their own way.
00:05:24:16 - 00:05:47:02
DINO
So on this issue of, Latino voters, you also highlighted in this piece just how significant Latino voters are in California, or part of the California electorate, based on what you saw, which candidates seem to understand that influence in a real way, or who who might still be, treating this as an afterthought?
00:05:47:04 - 00:06:05:04
ANDREA VALADEZ
You know, honestly, I think every candidate is acutely aware of how important Latino voters are. And, you know, how could they not be? Right? You and I have talked about it. It's no secret how much power the Latino vote holds. That's 40% of the state population right there. So I think they all know they can't take it for granted.
00:06:05:06 - 00:06:27:08
ANDREA VALADEZ
I will say specifically, it stood out to me, Tony Thurmond, our state superintendent of schools, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mehan. They did start out their opening messages in Spanish, obviously, trying to connect with the folks there that night, which again, stood out to me. But I honestly think it would be naive and maybe even detrimental to some of these candidates if they did treat the Latino vote as an afterthought.
00:06:27:10 - 00:06:29:18
ANDREA VALADEZ
So I don't see them doing that right now.
00:06:29:20 - 00:06:52:22
DINO
Well, let's, let's move on to, the topic of who's running ahead on this, right? Steyer maintains a Democratic lead. Becerra, is a surging and new polls, we're not going to get into the issue of Swalwell. Well, let that, let that, hole continue to get deeper and let him jump in there on his own.
00:06:52:22 - 00:07:14:20
DINO
But, this other piece that you wrote for Carlo news, you break down the the new polling in the governor's race showing businessman Tom Steyer holding a lead while former Attorney General Robert Vista is gaining ground with a large share of the voters still undecided. So walk us through, what? The polling. What the latest polling is telling us.
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DINO
Telling us?
00:07:16:15 - 00:07:42:04
ANDREA VALADEZ
Yeah. So that poll came out on Thursday. It's the first poll that's been conducted since, like you said, Eric Swalwell has left the race. So it's the most up to date picture we have of what the race is looking like. We're still seeing Steve Hilton, a Republican, that was endorsed by the president leading the poll. But what stood out to me the most in to a lot of people in politics, like you said, have you ever set eyes seeing a massive increase in support?
00:07:42:04 - 00:08:06:22
ANDREA VALADEZ
I mean, we're talking about he's jumped up nearly seven percentage points in a month, and he's tied for the second Democratic spot with Katie Porter behind Tom Steyer. Tom Steyer is leading. Democrats is 14%. So for big cities who have jumped that high is definitely something to watch. And I think in terms also what that says about the race, I think it shows that it's very much still open.
00:08:07:00 - 00:08:14:17
ANDREA VALADEZ
We're only under a month out from mail in ballots being sent out, and the race is continuing to change every day.
00:08:14:19 - 00:08:37:10
DINO
So with so many undecided voters in California, but what happens here? Top two primary system, the two most vote getters, if that's, correct English or correct grammar, this race feels, they're the ones that go on. Right. So obviously this race is still very fluid. How much uncertainty are we looking at under, based on your, reporting?
00:08:37:10 - 00:08:41:03
DINO
And how could the Latino voters ultimately shape who makes it through?
00:08:41:05 - 00:09:05:19
ANDREA VALADEZ
Yeah. So that Emerson College poll, so 23% of the people they spoke to were still undecided, still not sure who they're going to vote for. And I did look at the full data, and it looks like of the Latinos that were surveyed in that poll, 21% are still undecided. Wow. That's a huge bloc of people that candidates still have to reach, and they only have about two months to do it.
00:09:05:20 - 00:09:26:22
ANDREA VALADEZ
So I think, you know, we're going to start seeing a lot more political ads, a lot more town halls, a lot more social media campaigns, just really a big push from, these campaigns and specifically the top three Democrats in the race. So that's Steyer, Porter, Amber said. It's really any of their game. So they're just going to be trying to reach as many people as possible right now.
00:09:27:00 - 00:09:50:22
DINO
And speaking of reaching people, as many people as possible, the Latino Caucus released their 2026 legislative package. And, Andrea, you know, shifting from campaign to policy, you reported on this on the Latino caucus, in Sacramento, rolling out the legislative package for 2026, focused in part on issues of, economic opportunity, access to equity for Latino communities, break down for us.
00:09:50:22 - 00:09:59:00
DINO
What are the priorities of the legislative package and what, challenges on our lawmakers, like we are trying to address here?
00:09:59:02 - 00:10:24:12
ANDREA VALADEZ
Yeah. So, I mean, it's a lot of what you would expect, right? Things like, protecting immigrant communities, access to health care, cost of living, there's bills about stopping courthouse immigration arrests, expanding food assistance programs. So it's a lot of what we've been hearing. I think this package specifically is very ambitious. It's 15 bills. Surely there's going to be some legal challenges to some of them.
00:10:24:12 - 00:10:28:20
ANDREA VALADEZ
So it'll be interesting to see how the package develops throughout the rest of the year.
00:10:29:00 - 00:10:51:02
DINO
Now, speaking of interesting and packages developing, when you compare, for example, the policy agenda that we're talking about, being focused on here in California and what candidates are saying on the campaign trail, is there alignment, is there or is there a disconnect? What's your observation as a reporter there in Sacramento?
00:10:51:04 - 00:11:13:06
ANDREA VALADEZ
I do see a lot of alignment, specifically with the Democratic candidates. Again, it's a lot of what we've been hearing in terms of like, Trump proofing the state, right. That's something really all of the Democratic candidates have been talking about. A couple of things in specific stand out. You know, part of the package, one of the bills is to restore full medical access for undocumented immigrants.
00:11:13:08 - 00:11:35:14
ANDREA VALADEZ
I remember California cut that last year to balance the budget. So health care and Medi-Cal specifically, a lot of candidates have been campaigning on especially they said, he has said many times he will be the health health care governor. He spoke directly about this medical issue at the forum that you and I just talked about. There's a lot of Ice related bills.
00:11:35:16 - 00:12:00:00
ANDREA VALADEZ
Tom Steyer, specifically has released a very comprehensive plan for how he's going to deal with Ice agents, including prosecuting them, potentially imprisoning them if they have violated the law. So again, there's a lot of overlap between campaign and legislation. And I think everyone really is just taking a cue from each other and from what they think the people of California want right now.
00:12:00:01 - 00:12:13:17
DINO
Andrea, as we wrap up and close this out, give us a little, give us a little glimpse into what you're working on next and, what our where our audience, most importantly, can go and read your articles.
00:12:13:19 - 00:12:33:07
ANDREA VALADEZ
Yeah. Of course. Well, like you said, a lot of my job right now is covering this very crazy and unpredictable the governor's race. So be on the lookout for a lot more coverage. Hopefully some sit down interviews of some of these candidates. And then, as always, I'm keeping an eye on what bills are working their way through the capital.
00:12:33:09 - 00:12:48:02
ANDREA VALADEZ
You know, to give people really a breakdown of what our lawmakers are working on. So you can see all of that coverage on Gallo News.com or at Google News LA on Instagram to, to keep an eye on what's happening up here in Sacramento.
00:12:48:04 - 00:13:07:04
DINO
And when she does continue doing reporting, we'll call her back. Andrea Valadez with Gallo News. We really appreciate you joining us again and helping us connect some of some of these important dots with what's happening not only on the campaign trail, but what's coming up, out of Sacramento. Thanks for being with us.
00:13:07:06 - 00:13:10:03
ANDREA VALADEZ
And of course, I always love coming on here. Thanks for having me.
00:13:10:06 - 00:13:32:01
DINO
Thanks. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we'll turn to Arizona, where a growing crisis around food assistance program is developing with potential national implications. And, of course, later in the program, we'll have, candidate for the congressional district, here in L.A. Andrea. And excuse.
00:13:32:01 - 00:13:32:17
DINO
Me, Angela.
00:13:32:17 - 00:13:36:22
DINO
Gonzalez-Torres for Congress. California 34. Stay with us. We'll be right back.
00:13:37:01 - 00:13:41:10
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00:14:28:14 - 00:14:29:15
DINO
Welcome back to The Signal.
00:14:29:15 - 00:15:01:17
DINO
News, information and analysis. I'm your host, Dino. We, will now turn to a developing crisis out of Arizona. This with, something that can have national implications. And this is on the topic of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Snap. It's the nation's largest anti-hunger program providing monthly food benefits to low income individuals and families who are struggling, in part so that they can afford basic things like groceries.
00:15:01:19 - 00:15:37:05
DINO
A new analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows that since July of last year, Arizona has seen a staggering 47% drop in snap participation. Let me say that again. Since July of last year, the state of Arizona Republic in Arizona has seen a staggering 47% drop in snap participation. That translates more than to more than 400,000 people losing access to food assistance, including an estimated 180,000 children.
00:15:37:07 - 00:16:09:06
DINO
Now, what's driving this? Well, it appears to be a combination of federal policy changes and state level implementation, expanded work requirements, things like increased paperwork, administrative capacity issues are all contributing to a system where eligible families, some of which are in desperate need of these type of food assistance programs, are being delayed, denied access, not because they don't qualify, but because they've made it almost impossible for some, at least, to navigate this process.
00:16:09:08 - 00:16:30:21
DINO
Arizona may be an early indicator of what's to come, what's ahead for many other states? Joining us now is State Representative Mariana Sandoval, who represents Arizona's 23rd legislative district. And, you know, she's going to help us walk through what this challenge really means. Senator, excuse me, Representative Mariana Sandoval, welcome to the signal.
00:16:30:23 - 00:16:38:04
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Thank you. Dino, happy to be here to talk to you guys about the crisis we're facing here in Arizona. And it's not benefits.
00:16:38:06 - 00:17:10:03
DINO
And and, Representative Sandoval, you said it right? The crisis I this seems to be a crisis that is certainly growing. It's becoming but more challenging. But, you know, before we get into that, I want to add a little additional context, because when, you and I had an opportunity to connect and discuss the segment and what many of you who are out there are, a lot of times when we produce these radio segments, we do what's called the pre-interview moment to get to to talk to the guests and get a little bit more insight.
00:17:10:03 - 00:17:59:09
DINO
And in talking to you, as I said to you, Representative Sandoval, I think you have your own story that we need to cover, and I'm going to take our program, our host here, privilege, and start off with that a little bit, because what you described is what it's like to be a state representative and the conservative Republican Arizona legislature to me, left me, like, incomplete or no, for context, this is a legislature, this legislature that's been controlled by conservatives, if I remember correctly, since the Vietnam War, and it's controlled by a bunch of despots and others who are so petty that they have gone as far as even withholding staff appointments and even
00:17:59:11 - 00:18:10:15
DINO
hiring support staff for folks like you. Tell us a little bit about what the paints a picture of what it is like to be a state representative in Arizona right now.
00:18:10:17 - 00:18:40:09
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Yeah. Well, I mean, although, we have a they have a very slim majority, right? We have 90 legislators, 30, 30 senators and 60 representatives, and they have 33 Republicans. And there's 27 of us. And in the Senate is 17 or 13. So it's a very slim majority. They move like there's the super, super majority, right? They control every committee.
00:18:40:11 - 00:19:10:17
MARIANA SANDOVAL
They stack every committee. They control, what stack we get, what parking lot we get, what office we get if they control our travel. For me, my district is the size of a congressional district. 80% of my district overlaps with Congresswoman Holman's district. It encompasses four counties Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Yuma. It contains three tribal communities and two thirds of the US-Mexico border, about 230 miles.
00:19:10:18 - 00:19:38:05
MARIANA SANDOVAL
So it's a large district. I live in America, Burke County. And so the the Republican speaker can decide he doesn't want to approve my travel when I go service my constituents down by the border. And that's on me. Right. And in Arizona, legislators only make $24,000 a year. And those of us who live within that Maricopa County, which is the same county where the capital sits, do not get, in out of county per diem.
00:19:38:05 - 00:20:08:20
MARIANA SANDOVAL
So it makes it much more harder financially for us to be able to service our constituents in these large districts. And so, it is very challenging to, to move in this space to try to get any legislation or, anything really done in this really, slim majority. But it's Republican, led it has been there, like you said, since the Vietnam War.
00:20:08:20 - 00:20:12:02
MARIANA SANDOVAL
So it's it's tough. It's really tough.
00:20:12:04 - 00:20:45:16
DINO
And so now you guys are faced with a growing, crisis. As as we first open up the segment, the, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, snap, is the nation's largest hunger program, providing monthly food benefits to low income individuals and families so that they can afford basic things like groceries and the decline there. The CBP analysis points to a 47% drop in Snap participation in Arizona.
00:20:45:20 - 00:20:50:23
DINO
From what you're seeing, what's, what's driving this decline?
00:20:51:00 - 00:21:20:23
MARIANA SANDOVAL
I mean, I think one of the biggest shifts came through H.R. one, right, which increases our our share of administrative costs from 50% to 75%. So it's a major financial burden in the state. And you can see that is reflected. And also that's also reflected in governor's office. We have a Democratic governor, which has been helpful. She's proposing that $31.8 million, budget to cover those added costs.
00:21:21:00 - 00:21:53:02
MARIANA SANDOVAL
But at the same time, the, I also my Department of Economic Security, which is the administrative office that processes these claims, they're implementing all these new federal requirements requirements with reduced staffing and, demands. Keep going up our applications more cause more families needing the help. And so this other layer of, more stringent government federal government requirements, like, now they're requesting that we keep the error rate below 6%.
00:21:53:04 - 00:22:27:02
MARIANA SANDOVAL
So if they're missing that target, taxpayers could be on the hook for like 100 million to $300 million. And the challenge and this yeah, this challenge and this error rate, it is a fraud. It's an include small mistakes like overpayments, underpayments or even just paperwork issues. And and so the the and in addition to that, the government shutdown of last October of 25 delayed more application processing and increased call volumes.
00:22:27:02 - 00:22:50:18
MARIANA SANDOVAL
And it just led to more appeals from families trying to access the benefits and to work harder. Like I said, Governor Hobbs, did put, in December. This past December, she put 6.4 million in 1 time funding to this Department of Economic Security and then allow the agency to hire, like over 100 staff members, extend overtime and improve the technology behind the eligibility processing.
00:22:50:18 - 00:23:02:10
MARIANA SANDOVAL
But even with that, the gap is still large. This is estimating like almost $50 million more in 146 more full time staff just to meet the new federal standards.
00:23:02:16 - 00:23:22:04
DINO
So it sounds like so it sounds like when we're talking about state versus federal responsibilities, at least there is what sounds like a concerted effort on the part of your party there in Arizona to mitigate some of these challenges, including by the governor herself. And let me just read you, State Representative Mariana Sandoval joins us from Arizona.
00:23:22:04 - 00:23:54:01
DINO
She's part, she, is the representative for Arizona's 23rd, district. And we're talking about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Snap, that, in Arizona has seen a staggering 47% drop in Snap participation. And, you know, as we do look at let's look at the system itself, right. We're hearing that eligible families are being delayed or denied benefits, due to simple things, paperwork, processing issues.
00:23:54:03 - 00:24:12:04
DINO
Give us a little description or breakdown on how the system is functioning since not only these changes, but, you know, as the state tries to catch up and mitigate this, are we seeing families lose their support just because of a single piece of paperwork?
00:24:12:06 - 00:24:46:22
MARIANA SANDOVAL
I mean, in some instances, yes. But I mean, again, to to the governor's credit, she has done, you know, the one time funding and has implemented, changes within the agency to assure that the people that need even with even with these stricter eligibility rules and, and some of the pandemic flexibilities that have gone away, procedural hurdles are contributing to to this backlog, she has put more resources, for the agency.
00:24:46:22 - 00:25:16:01
MARIANA SANDOVAL
It's still not enough. But so that more families can access these benefits. But unfortunately, again, H.R. one, the Trump administration in in their increased share of cost and all the other financial burden that they're putting on the state, has made it really hard for families. And it's not necessarily that fewer people need the help. Of course, that's not the issue is that fewer people are successfully accessing it.
00:25:16:02 - 00:25:40:13
MARIANA SANDOVAL
And in addition to the federal like bureaucracy, bureaucratic and administrative costs, we also have Republicans that want to make it harder for poor folks to access these benefits. You know, they're trying to implement more stringent work work requirements. And it's not that people aren't working. People are working. You know, a 40 hour full time job, a part time job, or whatever.
00:25:40:13 - 00:26:05:10
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Is it just before Mickey Mouse, things are more expensive, food is more expensive. And then in some areas, like rural communities, folks need to travel hours, you know, to meet these work requirements, something they're trying to implement. There isn't anything nearby like in the Navajo Nation. You know, sometimes people have to drive five hours to the nearest, you know, anything?
00:26:05:12 - 00:26:19:19
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Because there are a lot of rural communities in our state. And I don't think that our colleagues on the other side of the aisle think about these things or take these things into, you know, account when they're trying to implement these policies through their policies.
00:26:19:23 - 00:26:42:17
DINO
So generally, we know that these type of policies will more often than not. Well, more than that, they're not only targeting, low income communities, but, that is who is ultimately being hit hard the hardest. And you've already touched on that a little bit. But that also includes children and working families who are central to this.
00:26:42:19 - 00:27:01:02
DINO
It's not all just, communities that don't have access, but we are talking for many. These are folks who do have maybe even two income households who are still having that challenge. So who are the folks most impacted by this? And, I understand that children make up a huge part of that.
00:27:01:04 - 00:27:32:13
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Absolutely. So the impacts are, you know, folks, 45% of the of the recipients are children, like almost half of the of the folks receiving Snap benefits are children. You know, we have working families, like I said, rural communities, communities of color, low wage workers that are being hit the hardest. And there's also a disproportionate effect on households that would like unstable work schedules, you know, who technically meet their work requirements but struggle to document the hours consistently.
00:27:32:15 - 00:27:47:15
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Like I said, like those that live in rural communities, it's really hard for folks to be able to document all that, get to the nearest, you know, employment, employer or employment space to to be able to document all of this.
00:27:47:20 - 00:28:21:06
DINO
Right. As we as we, as we wind down, representative, State Representative Mariana Sandoval is with us from Arizona's 23rd district, and we're talking about the new analysis, from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that shows that since July of last year, Arizona has seen a staggering 47% drop in snap participation, translating to more than 400,000 people losing access to food assistance programs, including an estimated 180,000 plus, children.
00:28:21:08 - 00:28:42:18
DINO
So what needs to happen right now? What what should we be looking for? What should we be expecting in the coming weeks? And months as the state looks to stabilize access to snap? What is the immediate, and short and long term response to mitigating this challenge on behalf of the state legislature?
00:28:42:20 - 00:29:05:23
MARIANA SANDOVAL
Right. So we're in in budget talks right now, right. At the state level. We're done with committees where we're done with we're still voting on a few bills from the Senate in the House, and the House is in the Senate is voting and, the bills that went over from the House. And so when we talk about priorities, it really comes down for us to where we believe government should be doing for the people, right?
00:29:06:01 - 00:29:36:23
MARIANA SANDOVAL
For us, for Democrats. Snap is an optional it's an essential program that they're now working. Families need to put food on the table and support, you know, the kids health and development stabilize households that they're already doing everything they can to get by. And so as we see the strain on their system and the changes tied to the policies from the Republicans, from the Trump administration, they have made Snap harder to access here and and more expensive for our state to administer.
00:29:37:01 - 00:30:04:20
MARIANA SANDOVAL
We, including together with the governor, have been focused on stabilizing that system and making sure that our budget priorities are putting funding into the staffing, improving the processing times, making sure that eligible families actually receive the benefits they qualify for. And so for us, it's all like about basics, functionality and fairness. And that's where we differ from our Republican colleagues is how we prioritize our limited dollars, because we have limited dollars in our budget.
00:30:04:22 - 00:30:39:07
MARIANA SANDOVAL
And so when we're seeing this, these proposals being put forward, funding pet projects like, like I mentioned to you, like a rodeo or an or infrastructure over what families need and families that are struggling to afford groceries. You know, for us, they the choices in abstract where we're going to invest in people first, we're going to make sure that we continue to push, an advocate for working families at the center of all the budget decisions we make.
00:30:39:09 - 00:31:21:10
DINO
You know, I mean, the just, for context, for those of you, the state representative mentioned, the rodeo Republicans in Arizona, recently attempted to prioritize our priorities in by their $15 million investment for a state. Where would you. And that tells you where, things are there. And, look, I want to point out to our audience what's happening in Arizona raises a broader question about how policy decisions show up in people's daily lives when access to something as basic as food becomes tied up in administrative hurdles and competing budget priorities, like $15 million investments in rodeos, the consequences are immediate and far reaching.
00:31:21:12 - 00:31:36:22
DINO
We'll continue to follow this, closely because in Arizona, well, in places like Arizona, it's an early signal what may come to other states. Arizona State Representative Mariana Sandoval, we want to thank you very much for joining us. We hope to have you back soon as this story develops.
00:31:37:00 - 00:31:38:22
MARIANA SANDOVAL
It's my pleasure, Dino. Thank you.
00:31:39:00 - 00:31:39:19
DINO
Stay with us, folks.
00:31:39:19 - 00:31:54:13
DINO
We're going to take a short break. And when we return, we continue with our special series, politics Tacos and Beer, a series with, candidate, for Congress here in L.A. And I'm going to start that series off with a fight. So stay tuned. We'll be right back.
00:31:54:13 - 00:31:55:19
DINO
we now start.
00:31:55:19 - 00:32:07:07
DINO
Or whether we keep going with our special series politics, Tacos and Beer. A series within the show that we started late last year as an opportunity to bring in some of.
00:32:07:07 - 00:32:08:01
DINO
Our local.
00:32:08:01 - 00:32:41:11
DINO
Leaders, state leaders, national leaders. We just had representative, Mariana Sandoval from, the state of Arizona joining us and helping us understand what's going on there. One of the things that we focus this series on has been the local elections, including, those at the local level, city council, at the state level. And of course, at the federal level with congressional seats up for grabs this week in our ongoing series, we continue the conversation with candidates shaping the future of this community.
00:32:41:11 - 00:32:51:02
DINO
We're joined by Angela Gonzalez stories. Kennedy for California's 34th district. A lifelong Angelino or I'm healthy mama?
00:32:51:04 - 00:32:51:16
DINO
Community.
00:32:51:16 - 00:33:14:05
DINO
Organizer, equity advocate whose campaign is rooted in her own lived experience. It's. By the way, I do want to point out this is something that I've always enjoyed when I get to interview candidates, because I think it's important that we recognize that we see that we understand that we value what it is to be somebody who roots their experience in the community.
00:33:14:07 - 00:33:32:04
DINO
In her own lived experiences, come out of the northeast Los Angeles area, a daughter of a deportee and a single mother. She's running on a platform centered on housing, economic dignity and immigration reform and health care for all. We are.
00:33:32:06 - 00:33:32:14
DINO
Happy to.
00:33:32:14 - 00:33:36:05
DINO
Welcome Angela Gonzalez to The Signal. Welcome.
00:33:36:07 - 00:33:37:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
I'm so happy to be here.
00:33:37:15 - 00:33:41:01
DINO
Now, I do have to start off a fight because.
00:33:41:03 - 00:33:42:23
DINO
You sound the final. The fight has to.
00:33:42:23 - 00:33:59:21
DINO
Be with your partner. Right hand woman, Vicky. So for those of you that have been following this program, you know that I only get paid. And tacos. I only get paid in fruit once in a while. I'll even get a bag of what is this, a whole cashews, if I'm lucky.
00:33:59:23 - 00:34:02:10
DINO
And at one point.
00:34:02:12 - 00:34:24:09
DINO
You know our producer, who abandoned me to go on vacation because apparently she needed a vacation. The nerve. You know, my producer used to pay me with that, because then we start the episode, and they'd bring me tacos in the morning, and I've had guests bring me tacos in the morning, and then Vicky shows up with, like, a lie, her right hand woman, and comes in gloating and showing off that they had.
00:34:24:09 - 00:34:25:09
DINO
That was this morning.
00:34:25:09 - 00:34:26:01
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah.
00:34:26:03 - 00:34:29:02
DINO
And ask me how many I got sat on.
00:34:29:06 - 00:34:30:02
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
There in the car.
00:34:30:06 - 00:34:36:08
DINO
In the car. So. Well, okay, well, we'll leave that five for later.
00:34:36:10 - 00:34:37:08
DINO
Uncle, I.
00:34:37:10 - 00:34:55:01
DINO
You know, pre-interview we talked about this and this is my favorite question to ask because I'm always been curious and as host privilege as a as a host of this program, I, I'm going to take host privilege and ask you because. Well, I want to know like Mark Anthony, I need to know, walk me through the day.
00:34:55:06 - 00:35:15:05
DINO
One day you're sitting there, maybe with family, maybe with Vicki, bullying people, eating tacos or something. The sky clouds part, the light being breaks. You hear the operatic music? You say to yourself, I'm running for Congress. What was that moment like? Walk me.
00:35:15:05 - 00:35:41:01
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Through? It was nothing like that. Yes. Thank you again for having us. My name is and Angela Gonzalez-Torres, and I'm. I'm just I'm so excited because it was actually a year ago this week that we launched this campaign. And if you remember, I know there's a lot of news every day that things that would have been the news of the year is now just like a Tuesday.
00:35:41:01 - 00:36:04:03
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
So I want to acknowledge the moment we're in. But a year ago it was not the most hopeful time. As the daughter of a deportee, you know, I, I, I predicted it would be bad under the Trump administration. And in regard to Ice raids, I still would have never imagined it would be what we're seeing today. But no, it was nothing like that.
00:36:04:03 - 00:36:26:23
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
My students, I work at a community college, and they asked me to run and we were really launching it in an exploratory way. And we got this far, and it's been an incredible journey. But it was really funny because people would say congratulations. And I was like, more like condolences. This is going to be a year.
00:36:27:01 - 00:36:39:23
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And it's been it's been a great journey. But it is. It was not anything I thought I would ever do. Still no hearing candidate for Congress is like crazy, but, but we're here now.
00:36:39:23 - 00:37:00:13
DINO
You describe your story is deeply rooted in the district. Growing up in northeast L.A., daughter of a deportee. How has that shaped not only the decision to run, but going into this? I mean, this is not an easy task to run for a congressional seat, much less will it be easy to progress.
00:37:00:15 - 00:37:31:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Oakland. My community is everything to me. I feel like anybody who knows me knows that, you know, and so I am a candidate for Congress now. But I'm first and foremost always a community member. And I am a fifth generation Angeleno for generations, rooted in Highland Park. My mom is a big part of this campaign, too. And, she became a single mom of four girls when my dad was deported, you know, overnight, it just seemed.
00:37:31:10 - 00:37:57:21
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And I really carry her strength with me. And I I'll say it's it's been obvious for a long time to me that my community has been struggling with the rising cost of living, you know, getting in the way of us being able to live our lives. But I think right now, our city is ready for change and our community is ready for a representative that will reflect our values and our courage.
00:37:57:21 - 00:38:05:05
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And, so they're they're the ones that asked me to run, and it's a community informed campaign all the way.
00:38:05:07 - 00:38:21:09
DINO
And, Angela, before we get into the policy priorities, what has been the one thing there's one issue or a set of issues that have been perhaps the most eye opening moment for you on this campaign trail? Besides the picking up radio host.
00:38:21:11 - 00:38:21:21
ANDREA VALADEZ
You know.
00:38:21:21 - 00:38:23:09
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Idea, we're going to talk about this forever.
00:38:23:09 - 00:38:25:04
DINO
I, I.
00:38:25:06 - 00:39:07:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
I'm I'm such a serious person. So the thing that comes to mind is I've been showing up for my community largely in the absence of our current Congress member for years. Happy to do it. And I think for me, I've seen those moments of gratitude, you know, when we're protecting tenants and small businesses from unlawful evictions on the neighborhood council level or, you know, stretching those dollars, in the mayor's office to build a youth empowerment program that changed the lives of so many families, and then even as a regional representative on Metro's public safety advisory committee, you know, we really got to hear a lot of different perspectives on how we can improve
00:39:07:10 - 00:39:32:02
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
our transit system here in Los Angeles. And so there's been moments where I've seen the look in people's eyes of just extreme gratitude. But I think now we're really noticing the potential we have to build political power here in LA, with the backing of Justice Democrats and Working Families Party and the Korean American Dem club and the Filipino Dem Club and Lucha Action.
00:39:32:02 - 00:39:42:05
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And if not, now, you know, people have been doing the work here for a long time. And so, we're really excited to make sure we get that represent representation and respect on a federal level, too.
00:39:42:10 - 00:39:45:05
DINO
Now we're talking about district
00:39:45:07 - 00:39:47:19
DINO
2434 34.
00:39:47:19 - 00:39:50:08
DINO
District 34. You, you know, for a while, it all blends.
00:39:50:08 - 00:39:52:04
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
It's all it's all the same.
00:39:52:06 - 00:39:52:15
DINO
But let's.
00:39:52:15 - 00:39:58:03
DINO
Talk about this this, issues of, you know, district 34 is one of the most.
00:39:58:03 - 00:39:59:09
DINO
Diverse.
00:39:59:11 - 00:40:22:00
DINO
And immigrant rich districts in the country. And for those of you who are wondering and asking, California District 34 is currently. Yes, House by Representative Jimmy Gomez, who we did send out an invite to. We'll keep you posted on that. And again, it's one of the most diverse immigrant rich districts in the country. What are you hearing directly from voters right now?
00:40:22:00 - 00:40:25:13
DINO
Are the biggest concerns in this district?
00:40:25:15 - 00:40:54:09
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Man yes. If I may, I want to elaborate on that because I decided to get into this race because I saw the the biggest issue for a lot of voters and me is, is the fact that our current representative, Jimmy Gomez, is, funded by some of Trump's biggest donors to. And so I think our biggest issue collectively is how do we get corporate moneys influence out of our politics?
00:40:54:09 - 00:41:27:00
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Jimmy Gomez is backed by $3 million from a pack, a pro-Israel lobby group, $125 million from a large I, lobby group. And right now he's also seem or was seemingly prioritizing, chairing Eric Swalwell s campaign versus the needs of our, our, community members. And so the biggest thing that we keep hearing is, I think that there's a level of distrust in our politics and anybody running for office, that's understandable.
00:41:27:00 - 00:42:05:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And I think it's because our government has really, ignored us for a long time. But I think people are recognizing, you know, I'm one of them, one of us. And we have an opportunity to make a strong case that we're not here to exploit anybody's vote and and certainly not here to exploit anybody's hope. And so it's been really an an incredible journey to just, meet people that are choosing to store their hope in our campaign right now, because I think that's the biggest issue is people feel like there's a level of abuse of trust that's just unacceptable.
00:42:05:10 - 00:42:08:04
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And so we have a great opportunity to make some change.
00:42:08:09 - 00:42:27:12
DINO
Now, on the issue of housing and economic issues, your campaign puts a strong emphasis on housing, including expanding rental assistance. You describe something you call economic dignity. What does that mean in practical terms? And walk us through this housing and economic, platform of yours?
00:42:27:15 - 00:42:55:03
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah. I mean, to start, I currently work two jobs, like many other Angelenos do as well. So I work in helping people transition from prison into universities. I'm a big, big, big advocate for, say fully funded schools and opportunities for all. And then I also promote permanent affordable housing projects that are looking at intergenerational housing models, because senior housing sometimes feels like a prison.
00:42:55:03 - 00:43:22:19
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Are working families, are increasingly living in their cars or in RVs. And so, so I take those two things really seriously. But I think economic dignity means ensuring working families get paid a fair, humane wage, a livable wage. We will increase the federal minimum wage. Economic dignity means that my neighbors don't have to carry around their passports because they're afraid they're going to be abducted.
00:43:22:19 - 00:43:38:04
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
By what we could only assume our Ice agents, you know, masked men on their way to drop their kids off from school. And so economic dignity is really making sure that we have a pathway to citizenship and job security and just expanded opportunities for all here at home.
00:43:38:06 - 00:44:00:21
DINO
You know, this issue of rising costs, of expenses. I mean, we are seeing at places like Arizona, they're eliminating Snap for a lot of folks. And even for us here, one of the most expensive states in the country. You know, how do we address rising costs, housing, food, childcare while wages remain stagnant? What is your approach to this?
00:44:00:23 - 00:44:34:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah, I really enjoyed the the last interview, before this because it proves that we're we're all struggling right now and, and we have to acknowledge that our tax dollars are funding for when the majority of us here at home just want health care. And like affordable housing. And so day one, we address that by signing on to block the bombs, you know, signing on to abolish super PACs so working people can have a fighting chance at, making sure our representatives are making community informed decisions.
00:44:34:16 - 00:45:00:12
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Day one we're signing on to stop price gouging in our grocery stores, where that's bare minimum. And, and it would improve the lives of so many people. And so we're simultaneously working to ensure access to quality education and permanent, affordable housing, but we're keeping track of, existing efforts in Congress already, that our current Congress member is just not signing on to any of that and, and advocating for those changes.
00:45:00:14 - 00:45:03:06
DINO
My guest is Angela Gonzalez-Torres. Angela. Yeah.
00:45:03:09 - 00:45:04:13
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Angie, no less.
00:45:04:15 - 00:45:06:17
DINO
Okay.
00:45:06:19 - 00:45:09:13
DINO
Angela Gonzales, a candidate for Congress.
00:45:09:15 - 00:45:14:16
DINO
California's 34th district, currently held by representative, Jimmy.
00:45:14:16 - 00:45:15:14
DINO
Gomez.
00:45:15:16 - 00:45:42:00
DINO
And, you know, we're this is one of those, you know, when we talk about federal issues, right? We covered housing, economic opportunities. But perhaps there's no bigger issue, than immigration. Yeah, right. You've been clear that immigration policy should move away, from fear and bureaucracy towards a compassion. Now, look, some people would say, what? What does that even mean?
00:45:42:00 - 00:45:50:09
DINO
Compassion. Right? There's rules. There's laws. What specific changes are you advocating within that framing?
00:45:50:11 - 00:46:13:00
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah. No, that's such a good point that you made too, because it is a it is a social change too. And so part of my job right now in this campaigning process is letting people know confidently, know we can have a government that invests in compassion over cruelty, dignity over detention and justice over fear. We can have that.
00:46:13:05 - 00:46:31:19
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And you start to see the look on people's faces. You know, it's it's that simple. And, we we in our team call it get curious because so many folks will say, what can you actually do? What does our votes change? Like what can we do? And and I ask them, yeah, what what is the alternative to trying.
00:46:31:19 - 00:47:00:19
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And so I think to to start, candidates are often going to say all the time what they hope to do if ever elected. And I'm like, no, let me tell you what, what I have done. Let me tell you what I'm doing now, what I will continue to do, which is to like amplify the existing efforts. So we're promoting, restoring funding to these programs that are already providing free immigration legal services to students, staff and faculty on a community college, Cal State UC level.
00:47:00:21 - 00:47:29:06
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
That's a start. I think, I've seen firsthand, what we can do when we invest with care and, people are already doing the work. They just need the federal dollars in support. I think the other thing is, we're looking at, like, opportunity for all campaigns, which is already a thing. Folks fighting for, college students to have access to, equal employment opportunities, because right now, undocumented students get, charged out-of-state tuition.
00:47:29:06 - 00:47:36:07
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And so, like, we got to start looking at things we can do now while we fight for a long term pathway to citizenship.
00:47:36:09 - 00:47:46:17
DINO
In your campaign. And how you support Medicare for all and a system with no premiums or co-pays. How do you respond to critics who say, look, that's not feasible?
00:47:46:19 - 00:48:07:01
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
I feel like I could talk about this all day because I hear that. And so I'll say, I'll say I'm pushing hard on the, cow care campaign right now on a local level and will continue to fight for, again, this basic human right on a federal level. We already spend a massive amount on health care through premium co-pays.
00:48:07:03 - 00:48:29:21
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And administrative costs. And so by eliminating certain inefficiencies, we we can fund a system that works for everyone without increasing overall costs. And so I just believe in streamlining that health care system. And yeah, making universal coverage both more affordable and sustainable in the long run. Yeah.
00:48:30:01 - 00:48:48:12
DINO
You've also taken strong positions on foreign policy, including calling for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, ceasefire in the current conflicts, humanitarian aid to those issues connect with the district. And why is it important for folks in your district, or your your base?
00:48:48:16 - 00:48:49:01
DINO
Yeah.
00:48:49:02 - 00:48:52:17
DINO
Constituents. Why is that so important to you?
00:48:52:19 - 00:48:57:18
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah, I think, if I may, I want to take a little bit, please go back.
00:48:57:19 - 00:48:58:12
DINO
We have about.
00:48:58:16 - 00:48:58:22
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
How.
00:48:59:02 - 00:48:59:11
DINO
Five.
00:48:59:11 - 00:49:00:04
DINO
Minutes for.
00:49:00:04 - 00:49:19:19
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
A minute. So I this because this is a really big deal for me too. As a Chicano anthropologist, my family, you know, we've been part of this Chicano movement out of East L.A. for a long time, my whole life. And that was born out of protesting the unfair drafting of black and brown individuals in East L.A. for the Vietnam War.
00:49:19:19 - 00:49:38:05
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And I think that we carried that movement forward today. And some of my earliest memories was protesting the Iraq and Afghanistan invasion, just like my mom was, would be there and be like, girls, if we get arrested, drag your feet. Don't make it easy on the cops. And I'm like, I'm nine. Like, what are we doing? And that's just like where we come from.
00:49:38:05 - 00:50:09:06
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
We've always known that our struggles are connected and therefore our liberation is too. And so jumping, you know, full fully into the Palestinian liberation movement and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and, and, and, you know, being firm on our opposition to the invasion in Venezuela, like, it's all connected. And so it is it is quite literally a local level because, you know, what's that like?
00:50:09:06 - 00:50:18:23
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Quote I there's so many things, you know, our, our dollars are funding bombs elsewhere. And it could be, taking care of our working families, our, our kids here.
00:50:19:01 - 00:51:05:08
DINO
My guest is, Angela Gonzalez-Torres and Jean Kennedy for Congress, California's 34th congressional district. And we're talking about her, commitment to, this campaign for the congressional seat, currently held by Representative Jimmy Gomez. You know, on this race, this is a race, you know, I think, yeah, all races are competitive races. Because oftentimes even those long standing institutional politicians that are in place, find it, to be one hell of a time when young, passionate new blood comes into a race and really elevates these issues, as I think you have.
00:51:05:09 - 00:51:17:07
DINO
And I want to, you know, this is an opportunity to let our audience know, which we do have a large audience in your district. What makes you stand out? Why? Why you.
00:51:17:09 - 00:51:34:04
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Yeah. Well, I got to say, I'm the only one in this race that can say I've been showing up for our district, which is the heart of Los Angeles, which is the best district. And I know I'm biased because it's the only one I know, but I've been showing up my whole life, and I'm the only one in this race.
00:51:34:05 - 00:51:59:12
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
I can say I have the backing of those that have come the closest to unseating Jimmy Gomez. People think he's so entrenched he has nearly lost every time, and right now people are really asking for change. And that's not someone who's going to be beholden to their corporate PAC donors and, you know, an unregistered pro-Israel lobby group. Like, we want to talk about these things, and I'm ready to do the work.
00:51:59:12 - 00:52:13:22
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And so I'm not taking a dime of corporate PAC money. I am working to hold all politicians, you know, accountable for their abuse of our trust. And, Los Angeles deserves a representative that reflects their courage and their values. And I'm that.
00:52:14:02 - 00:52:45:02
DINO
And for greater clarity, when you referenced, public PAC money, you're talking about a pact. The American Israeli public affairs Committee, which has donated and upwards of around $3 million, I believe, to Jimmy Gomez campaign. So as we close out, two very important questions remain. The latter being the most important in my, program. But before we get to that, first, remind or tell folks where they can learn more about your campaign, and then you need to let us know.
00:52:45:02 - 00:52:55:20
DINO
This series is called politics, Tacos and Beer. What is your favorite political topic? What's your favorite taco or taco stand? Yeah, where obviously it doesn't suck. What's wrong and.
00:52:55:20 - 00:52:56:23
DINO
What's your favorite drink of choice?
00:52:56:23 - 00:52:59:16
DINO
Because I do. You and I, you, me.
00:52:59:16 - 00:53:01:17
DINO
And this campaign have a little thing in common.
00:53:01:17 - 00:53:05:00
DINO
On the drink. First the website. Where do people know.
00:53:05:04 - 00:53:22:16
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Angela for congress.com. The number for, Angela Gonzalez stories. Angela or Angie is fine too. But I'm. I'm honestly, like, so grateful for the amount of support we already have from every corner of this district and beyond. So, Angela, for congress.com, if you want to come volunteer and chip in.
00:53:22:21 - 00:53:29:02
DINO
And okay, so then the last and final million dollar question, what's your favorite political topic?
00:53:29:04 - 00:53:46:17
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Look, I, I really I'm a former bartender. And so I am that person at a bar that will talk politics. I didn't know any of this was politics. I thought it was just what we all talk about. But I think I, yeah, I talk a lot about mass incarceration. You know, none of us are free until all of us are.
00:53:46:17 - 00:53:51:22
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And we have the largest jail, one of the largest jail systems, on the face of the planet in this district. So.
00:53:51:23 - 00:53:56:19
DINO
Okay, mass incarceration. We'll chalk it up to that taco stand.
00:53:56:20 - 00:54:12:06
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Frontera and Cypress Park is my jam right now. I grew up eating tacos on a milk crate in Lincoln Heights that kept my family alive. But I do the vegan vegan thing now, so, I, I go there for the nopales and free stuff.
00:54:12:06 - 00:54:16:00
DINO
Goes bam, there it is. And a topic that's close to me.
00:54:16:00 - 00:54:21:04
DINO
I am a homebrewer of the, the beer, variety.
00:54:21:04 - 00:54:22:11
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
And what do you got now?
00:54:22:13 - 00:54:28:02
DINO
You know what? Right now I got a summer ale. Hibiscus summer ale brewing liquid.
00:54:28:02 - 00:54:28:10
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Vicki.
00:54:28:14 - 00:54:29:11
DINO
Yeah. Look at me.
00:54:29:13 - 00:54:33:09
DINO
You're not getting anything you didn't bring need up there. So what's your favorite drink of choice?
00:54:33:11 - 00:54:38:00
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
I, I I'm coffee all day. Coffee now, Dunning and coffee.
00:54:38:01 - 00:54:40:03
DINO
What's your what's your drink?
00:54:40:05 - 00:54:42:16
ANGELA GONZALEZ TORRES
Also coffee. Yeah. She's a stout girl.
00:54:42:16 - 00:54:44:09
DINO
To the stout.
00:54:44:11 - 00:54:46:15
DINO
We're going to give you a pass on the coffee here.
00:54:46:17 - 00:54:48:00
DINO
Uncle Alastair is.
00:54:48:00 - 00:54:50:00
DINO
Candidate for California's 34th district.
00:54:50:02 - 00:54:51:01
DINO
Thank you for joining.
00:54:51:01 - 00:54:56:22
DINO
Us and for sharing your perspective on why you make the best candidate for California's 34th district.
00:54:57:00 - 00:54:59:22
DINO
And as we close out today, you know, look, there's a.
00:54:59:22 - 00:55:19:10
DINO
Clear thread running through all of these conversations that we had today, whether we're talking about elections in California, access to food in Arizona, or leadership here in Los Angeles. The reality is that policy decisions are not happening in isolation. They are shaping who has access to resources, who gets left behind, and who has a voice in the process.
00:55:19:11 - 00:55:43:20
DINO
We're seeing moment, or we're seeing a moment in where communities are demanding more and more accountability, more representation and more alignment, with what's being promise. With that said, I want to thank all of my guests, Andrea Valdez from fellow new state Representative Mariana Sandoval of Arizona's 23rd district and Angela Wenzel, stories, candidate for Congress in California's 34th district.
00:55:43:22 - 00:55:50:16
DINO
And as always, we appreciate our crew. Producer Nella Barbera, who is still out gallivanting in Europe. But we're not going to hold that against her.
00:55:50:21 - 00:55:51:09
DINO
Sly.
00:55:51:09 - 00:56:06:21
DINO
Rivers, behind the board and audio engineer and special thanks to Fabian Montes for support. Stay tuned. Coming up next is my homies at the Car show. You've been listening to The Signal on KPFA 90.7. If I'm a cyclist and, you know, thanks for listening.
00:56:06:23 - 00:56:17:16
Music Intro
Yet I pass out and like I say, if you say hi to them all, you see, you all. Oh.
