Dolores Huerta Weighs in on Son’s Congressional Race

So far Emilio Huerta is the only Democrat who is challenging Congressman David Valadao (R-CA) in California’s 21st District -- and his mom, civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, wants to keep it that way. Elected officials, local activists, and other congressional sources said Huerta is having pointed conversations to try to make sure her son is the only Democrat challenging Valadao -- a local lawyer, he lost badly to in 2016. She has influenced the Central Valley race Dems view as one of their biggest pickup opportunities in the midterm elections. The LA Times reports that two Dems working in the district said Huerta's influence is so great that potential candidates opted against running after speaking with her because they fear risking her future support. The paper asked Huerta if she was discouraging Democrats from running another candidate and they report that she replied emphatically, "I would never do that. Ever." Huerta said what she did do was ask the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in September if the national party was recruiting other candidates. She said she spoke with some local politicians about whether they would run after hearing the committee might be recruiting them, but said she didn't try to dissuade anyone. Emilio is a civil rights Attorney. After graduating from California State University Bakersfield he completed law school at Santa Clara University. Before attending college, he served as a labor negotiator, representing farmworkers throughout California. More here.