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Launch Progress: Young Candidate Spotlight on Sandra Fluke

By Kurt Gonska on May 29, 2014


8th-post-featured

by Stevaughn Bush. Originally published on Launch Progress.

This month, we sat down with Sandra Fluke, a young progressive running for State Senate in California’s 26th District. While you may remember her as the target of controversy a few years ago when, as a Georgetown Law student, she gave testimony before Congress on the topic of comprehensive insurance coverage for reproductive health, Sandra has turned her political convictions to a new arena.

Sandra Fluke is a young progressive who brings a fresh perspective to her race for California State Senate. Sandra wants to use her platform to lend a voice to the problems millennials face.“Right now, there are staggering economic insecurities that my generations is facing,” she said, citing crippling student loan debt that could impact the entire economy, record high young adult unemployment, and a lack of career opportunities for recent graduates. “When the stakes are that high, [millennials] must have a seat at the table to determine solutions,” Sandra says. Also on the agenda is protecting the environment by calling for a moratorium on fracking, by addressing California's water crisis, by investing in sustainable transportation alternatives, and by protecting the coast from over-development.

She’s also calling for a number of solutions to the job crisis in California, including investing in tech and green jobs. “Like anywhere in the country, we’re concerned with jobs and economic opportunity”. She talks about businesses leaving her district--and taking viable jobs with them--as a result of tried and unsuccessful ways of thinking. “It was extremely distressing to see an automobile plant recently leave Torrance, California,” Sandra continues, “I want to explore ways to improve our tax code to encourage hiring and job development,” all of which would ultimately help to expand the middle class.

Sandra has an extensive 10-year curriculum vitae of fighting for gender equality, LGBTQ rights, economic justice, and representing victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. She also has experience speaking out on these issues at the national level. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee initially refused testimony from Sandra, a Georgetown University Law student at the time and the only woman scheduled to testify at a public hearing regarding women’s reproductive health care. “The initial denial of my testimony before Congress is a perfect example of the importance of all voices being heard and represented in our government,” Sandra says, “There is little doubt that a young woman chairing the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee would not have convened a panel of only older men to testify on contraception policy.”

 Sandra saw the aftermath of the controversy as a way to bring fundamental issues that strike at the heart of choice, opportunity, and prosperity in our country to the forefront. “As the media attention and the personal attacks grew,” Sandra says, “I knew I could retreat and wait for it to pass, but I believed it was my responsibility to stand up and use the microphone I was given to advance the policies I’ve always fought for.”

With her unanticipated “celebrity” status, we asked Sandra why she chose to run for State Senate, instead of a U.S. Representative seat, where supporters believed she could have helped diversify a Congress in which only 8% of its members are under 40 and the majority of members are men. But Sandra let us know that she preferred the progressive spirit of California and the residents of its 26th district over the gridlock of the United States Congress. “I wanted to go to work somewhere that real progress can be made and important work can be done, and I knew that the California State Senate was the place to do that,” Sandra said. “California is a place where real progressive change can happen. Other states, and the country at large, look to California to set the progressive agenda.”

Stand with Sandra


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Endorsements

  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

Paid for by Stand with Sandra Fluke for State Senate 2014 FPPC ID # 1363476
PO Box 931, Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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