FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 18, 2022
Socorro Cisneros Suspends Campaign, Endorses Juan Carrillo for AD 39
Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta, Latino Leaders, Rally Around Carrillo for the Newly Redrawn Assembly Seat
PALMDALE, CA – On March 18, 2022, Socorro Cisneros announced that she is suspending her campaign for Assembly and endorsing fellow Democrat Juan Carrillo for Assembly District 39. AD 39 was recently redrawn by the redistricting commission, creating a district that is majority Democratic for the first time.
“For too long, Democrats in the High Desert have lacked a voice in Sacramento. This newly redrawn Assembly seat will finally give us the representation we deserve. In this critical moment, the stakes are too high for us to be divided. That is why I am suspending my campaign and enthusiastically endorsing Juan Carrillo. He will be a strong voice for our community and for every resident,” said Socorro Cisneros.
Cisneros is a labor rights activist, community advocate, and retired union worker. She previously ran to represent AD 33 in 2018 and 2020, earning more votes than any other Democrat each time and running competitively against the Republican incumbent. Her announcement ensures that there will be only one Democratic Latino candidate running to represent AD 39.
Civil right activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta, who had previously endorsed Cisneros, also announced that she would be backing Carrillo.
“Socorro Cisneros is a brave and dedicated advocate for working people,” said Huerta. “I applaud her for helping ensure that Democrats will speak with one voice in this election. Like her, I enthusiastically endorse Juan Carrillo for Assembly District 39.”
Juan Carrillo is a member of the Palmdale City Council, and currently serves as the only elected Democratic councilmember in the Antelope Valley. He has also served as a city planner for nearly 20 years. He was born and raised in Mexico before immigrating to Los Angeles as a teenager.
Said Carrillo: “I am proud to accept the endorsements of Socorro Cisneros and Dolores Huerta, and grateful to Socorro for ensuring that our community will stand united. Dolores and Socorro have spent years organizing our Latino communities across the state and I thank them for ensuring that we have a voice at the highest levels of government. I pledge to stand up for every resident of this district by fighting for affordable housing, great schools, and opportunity for all.”
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Carrillo earned his Associate’s Degree in Architecture from College of the Desert, Bachelor’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University Pomona, and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University Northridge. Before entering public office, Carrillo worked in city planning for over 15 years, 10 of which were with the City of Palmdale. In addition to representing Palmdale as a two-term councilmember, Carrillo also served as the Mayor Pro Tem of Palmdale and a member of the Palmdale School District Board of Trustees. As the only Democratic-elected councilmember in the Antelope Valley, Carrillo has led the fight to expand affordable housing, improve public education, address the homelessness crisis, increase green space, and support local small businesses as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. He has lived with his wife and four children in Palmdale’s east side for over 15 years.
The new 39th Assembly District includes the communities of Lancaster, Palmdale, Victorville, Hesperia, Adelanto, Lake Los Angeles, Sun Village, Mountain View Acres, and Little Rock
