Patricia Hernandez: Assembly candidate says education, experience put her at top of the list

Patricia Hernandez, who grew up poor to immigrant parents before putting herself through college while working odd jobs, positions herself as a voice for the people among the career politicians in Sacramento.

Hernandez, 41, is chief negotiator for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists and one of six candidates for the newly created 11th Assembly District. The new district encompasses the cities of Vacaville, Oakley, Suisun City and Fairfield, and covers the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

“I feel that politicians are completely out of touch with what Californians and Americans are going through. Instead they’re concentrating on how to move on to the next position,” Hernandez said.

As a candidate, education is an important topic for Hernandez. She said that a quality education is becoming harder to obtain and the price of higher education has put it out of reach for many.

“I think the education system is the most important thing to allow others the same opportunities I had,” Hernandez said.

Job creation is another area that Hernandez is focused on, as well as creating an environment where small businesses can flourish.

“We need to find ways for people to open business in the communities of their choice. And we need laws that allow them to compete with big businesses that may come in,” she said.

Hernandez is hoping to take the concerns of those hit hard by the housing crisis with her to Sacramento, where she said she will also be a champion of women’s rights.

Most of all, Hernandez said she is the most qualified candidate for the post. She believes her 13 years of drafting and negotiating contracts, coupled with her ability to bring people together for a common goal, would be an asset to the Legislature.

“Government agencies and their policies and procedures are not foreign to me. My law degree has allowed me to understand the law and to write laws,” Hernandez said. “I know what it’s like to work hard and work in a system that isn’t set up to make things easy for you.”

To learn more about Hernandez, log on towww.phernandez.com.

http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_20614522/assembly-candidate-says-education-experience-put-her-at

Patricia Hernandez turns campaign into high gear

Rio Vista’s own Patricia Hernandez further expanded her contention for the 11th Assembly District with a speech and campaign meet and greet to those in attendance at The Point Restaurant Thursday.

“I never thought I would run for office,” said Hernandez. “But over the last few years I have become disenchanted with politics. People have been ignored in the political process, and this is the perfect opportunity for an open seat.”As time grows closer to the primary election in June, Hernandez is set to hit the ground running and campaign door to door to gain support in the heavily contested district. While those running against Hernandez may have more political experience, it is the fresh, new ideas that have supporters turning out to support the Rio Vista candidate.

Hernandez recognized the crowded field, and conveyed that she is not in this for herself. Instead, she is running for family, friends and neighbors and those that care about better jobs, healthcare, education and the environment.

She then discussed the importance of learning the skill of negotiation at JFK University Law School, and how her experience as a labor negotiator can bring positive decision-making in the legislative process.

“I work to bring two groups together with different goals,” she said. “People are polarized. Politicians don’t understand the importance of coming together.”

Hernandez went on to ask for support from the crowd on her journey, and that she is focused on doing what’s right, right now.

“I’d love to see Rio Vista supported in the state,” she said. “I am so proud to represent this district.”

Recently the Hernandez campaign received the endorsement of the California Teacher’s Association, a major proponent for education and the direction that legislators choose to make policy in the state. She also has endorsements from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, California Latino Legislative Caucus and the Union of American Physicians and Dentists.
While her Democrat opponent Jim Frazier may have more endorsements and more funds raised at this point, Hernandez is set to hit the pavement and campaign hard in the coming weeks.

In her speech, Hernandez addressed Delta water issues and the importance to keep valuable farmland in the region. She spoke out against taking more water south in a peripheral canal, and the strain from southern California demanding more water.

“We have to protect landowners and rely on locally grown fruit and vegetables,” she said. “The Delta is being left out of the process – we need to be part of every conversation. We need strong leadership to stand up for people.”

She then discussed the plight of local law enforcement agencies having to deal with a strain from more prisoners being released early to county facilities due to AB109.

“This is a public safety issue,” she said. “We are isolated here in Rio Vista. Local agencies are stretched thin as it is. Places without as many cops, there are more strain on those communities. We need to preserve public safety in these areas.”

Hernandez noted that there are 19,000 high propensity voters in the district, and 15,000 of those  are absentee voters. May 7 is the deadline for absentee voting, so the race in the next month will be critical to the campaign’s success.

“Accessibility is important,” she said. “I don’t want that aura that I’m not approachable. I’m one of you. I will always have an open door policy.”

Rio Vista Mayoral candidate Norm Richardson spoke in support of Hernandez’ campaign.

“I support Patricia,” he said. “She’s fresh. She has good ideas and I know a lot of her supporters. I respect them.”

April 4 in Vacaville there will be a debate among 11th district hopefuls. Look for more updates on where and what time this will be going on.

“I really like her platform,” said Dennis Schardt, a major supporter of Hernandez’ campaign. “I know she is a really capable and competent person. Her heart is in it, and has community spirit. I think she will do well for all the cities in the 11th district.”

To learn more about Hernandez’ campaign, you can visit www.phernandez.com.

“Patricia wants to give back to people,” said Patricia’s husband Jerry. “Local, state and federal politicians are out of touch with what voters want.”

http://rivernewsherald.org/hernandez_3-28-2012.html

Patricia Hernandez: A voice for all of us

Patricia Hernandez has been a resident of Rio Vista since 2003 and has fallen in love with the area and its beautiful surroundings. She enjoys the small town atmosphere and working together to make the Delta a better place. That is why she is running for the newly formed 11th Assembly district.

“It’s a different environment,” said Hernandez, who comes from a humble upbringing. “It’s a wonderful place to live.”After living in Oakley until 2003, Hernandez and her family moved to Rio Vista. Hernandez grew up in San Bernardino, and enjoys the stark contrast to the Delta where everyone is friendly and talks to one another.

Hernandez is currently the Chief Negotiator for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, where she was worked for nearly 13 years. She provides a voice to negotiate fair and equitable contracts for the medical providers that keep clinics serving the public.

“I make sure that county hospitals can attract the best doctors for the uninsured and the poor. I grew up using county clinics and dentists.”

Hernandez achieved her undergraduate degree at UCLA, and received her law degree at JFK University. She then worked at the Sheriff’s Office in Concord at the crime lab. At the time, she wanted to be a defense attorney but learned the ins and outs of criminal law and realized it wasn’t for her.

As for her inspiration to run for State Assembly, she feels she has a good understanding of the law and good ideas to try and turn things around in California.

“I’m frustrated with the situation at hand,” she said. “Instead of just complaining to the TV screen, I want to do something about it. This is a new district, but politics are not foreign to me. I’m completely qualified for it, and I know this will be a big change.”

Hernandez noted that if she is elected, it would mean a considerable pay cut to her current salary – but it is worth it to her to try and make a change from the corruption and backdoor deals that have plagued Sacramento for so long.

“This is a social service to the public,” she said. “This is for my son and the youth’s future. I want them to have the same advantages and opportunities that were available to me.”

She is also focused on protecting the Delta and providing better education and funding to public schools.

“I understand the need for water throughout the state,” she said. “The peripheral canal would destroy the existence of the Delta. We can’t have that.”

Hernandez explained the necessity for innovation and for attracting more recreational activities to the Delta to keep it on the map and make people realize that there are living, thriving communities in the region, which are valuable to California.

“We need to look at conserving more water and storing it,” she said. “We have to be responsible. Everything now has a price on it.”

A major reason why Hernandez got into this race is because the everyday workingman is no longer represented in Sacramento. She believes that many legislators who have been in office for years have lost touch with reality, specifically how the recession and budget cuts are affecting society.

“These people don’t know what it’s like to be a normal person anymore,” she said. “They don’t live among us.”

Hernandez is focused on getting the blue-collar worker back on the job and creating some relief in this housing crisis. She also spoke about the need for corporations like Chevron, with record setting profits, to pay their fare share.

“I will do something about job creation,” she said. “I would like to author legislation regarding underwater mortgages. So many people have walked away from their homes, the values are depressing, and people are walking away.”

She wants to emphasize the Delta and focus on making it a recreation destination. While Hernandez sees the need for more services in the Delta, she also envisions helping those that already exist.

“Small businesses need tax cuts so they can hire more people, but they will be tax breaks with incentives,” she said. “There will be accountability for those programs.”

If elected, Hernandez will be representing the new 11th district, encompassing Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Rio Vista, Isleton, Sherman Island, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen.

It is a broad area with many needs. Hernandez is also concerned about servicemen coming home with no jobs to go to, as well as ex-cons getting out of jail and prison with no chance of finding a job in this rough job market.

“We are not doing a service to our service men and women,” she said. “There are so many people out of work. We need to find a way to get people back into society and back into the community.”

As for ex-felons, Hernandez knows there is stigma attached to the label, and it makes it hard for any ex-felon to re-enter into society and get a job.

“People deserve a second chance,” she said. “If you have already done your time and paid your debt to society, why can’t you get a second chance? Employers can’t do credit checks on you, we need to change the laws. People should be able to work and not have that hanging over their head.”

Hernandez then spoke about the importance of keeping jobs here on U.S. soil, as well as hiring from within the country, not outsourcing to other countries to get employees to do the job here in the U.S.

“We need to stop recruiting for jobs from overseas,” said Hernandez. “We need to emphasize education here that way students are prepared to go straight into the work force. We have to provide more solutions for our residents.”

How can we as everyday working class folks trust millionaires in Congress to make policies that will actually benefit the people, she asks? Hernandez said she is focused on creating real jobs and getting more people to vote.

“We need to encourage people to come out to the primaries,” she said. “When I get elected, I will have an open door policy. I love to hear from people and listen to their concerns. Things are pretty bad and people are stretched thin, but it is time to change that with open, transparent government. Times like this require thinking outside the box to take on projects. Necessity is the time for invention. This is the time to think of the best way to move forward.”

To learn more about Patricia’s
campaign, her goals and
policies, you can visit www.phernandez.com. If you have a question, you can email her atphernandez11th@gmail.com or call
(707) 374-3260.

http://rivernewsherald.org/hernandez_1-18-2012.html