Congressional candidate meets with local community

A congressional candidate was in imperial valley meeting with the community this week.

Democrat congressional candidate Aeiramique Glass Blake wants to know resident’s concerns.

“What I’ve been finding here is the neglect within education. And young people speaking out and wanting more options for their education,” Blake said.

She’s running for the 51 st District. It includes Imperial County and southern parts of San Diego.

“I’m definitely a voice for minority communities, communities of color. But I think I bring a message of unity and tap into areas where all communities are affected, where we can come together and fight for our true needs,” Blake said.

She met with community on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Calexico resident Ben Horton said, “This is the opportunity to gauge, and I use the word gauge, people’s needs and their desires.”

Calexico Council Member Bill Hodge said, “She’s one that if she doesn’t know something, she would learn about it right away.”

Gretchen Laue, El Centro resident, said, “And even at times if we don’t agree about things, it gives us the opportunity to have the dialogue and have the conversation that really helps us all.”

They praised her youth and passion to serve.

“Because that is the future, and people that are willing to represent the future and to listen and create the future is a tremendous plus and youth has that more than anyone,” Laue said.

Hodge added, “There is an uprising, a movement if you want to call it, of young people, women, people of color, getting involved in politics and being more progressive.”

The office of Congressman Juan Vargas said he’s proud to have served the district for the last 6 years and with the support of the people, looks forward to serving another two years.

The primary election is on March next year. It’s no longer in June.