Campaign News: Nurses Choose Holden for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Assemblymember Chris Holden announced has earned an endorsement from Service Employees International Union 121RN (SEIU 121RN) in the race to represent Los Angeles County Supervisor District 5.

In an announcement posted to SEIU 121RN’s social media, Nurse, Educator, and Health Care Advocate Monique Hernandez said:

“Having the right people in office makes all the difference when it comes to having good policy on public health. We need leaders who actually listen to the people that work in the hospitals, not just the people who lobby for the major hospital corporations. We are officially endorsing Assemblymember Chris Holden for the LA County Board of Supervisors. County supervisors have a ton of influence, and we need someone we can trust. We need someone who will stand up to the hospital lobby. Chris Holden has proven that he’s that candidate. He heard us when we called out on the Department of Public Health (CDPH) to enforce the law on safe staffing. He not only heard us, but he led calling on CDPH to release their plan on how they will keep our hospitals safe and staffed. We know Chris Holden will make the right calls on public health issues and working on people’s issues. We’re excited to support him.”

SEIU 121RN is a powerful voice for patient, Nurse and Healthcare professional safety in California. They represent more than 9,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and the Inland Empire.

“I am honored to be the choice of SEIU 121RN in this race for Los Angeles County Supervisor. We know nurses were on the frontlines of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to ensure Los Angeles County residents get the care they need. As a County Supervisor, I will call for accountability in our health care system and ensure nurses have the support they need to tend to their patients. I look forward to working with SEIU 121RN’s members as we fight for improved workplace protections and patient safety,” said Assemblymember Holden.

Holden is a lifelong Pasadena resident. He was elected to the Pasadena City Council when he was 28 years old and was the second African-American to serve as Mayor in the city’s history.

Holden was appointed to the Pasadena Light Rail Alignment Task Force.

He was instrumental in the planning and execution of the initial stops connecting Pasadena to Downtown LA. Assemblymember Holden continued to help extend the Gold Line further, securing $290 million in state funding for six new stations and introducing a plan to have the Gold Line connect the Burbank and Ontario airports.

Los Angeles County Supervisorial District 5 includes portions of the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys and the cities of Antelope, Crescenta, and Santa Clarita Valleys.

The district is currently represented by Republican Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

The election will take place on March 5. The 2021 redistricting process drew new boundaries for the 5th district with 46% registered Democrats, 24% Republicans, and 23% No Party Preference. President Joe Biden won the district by a 24% margin.