Fil-Am candidates seek California governor, attorney general posts

NEW YORK — At least two Filipino Americans have joined the upcoming electoral races in California, vying for the governor and attorney general seats in the state.

In the certified list of candidates released by the Office of the Secretary of State of California, Filipina nurse Christine Sarmiento is among the 61 bets seeking to serve as governor. She is listed as having no political party preference.

Originally from Cavite, Sarmiento is a public health nurse at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, serving the downtown Los Angeles community.

Orphaned at a young age, she moved to California when she was 18 years old and has lived in Los Angeles for more than 25 years. She earned her nursing degree from Pasadena City College and has a Master of Science degree from Western Governors University.

Aside from being a registered nurse, she also served as an operations manager at Knighted Ventures, a multi-faceted gaming and entertainment enterprise.

In her video campaign message, Sarmiento said it is time to have a genuine voice for the working class.

"For the longest time, politicians have been telling us and promising us that they will speak for us, the working class. But after all these issues with affordability, I think it's time that we speak for ourselves," she said.

Attorney general

Also included in the official list of candidates in California is Filipino American Rob Bonta, the incumbent Attorney General of California, who is seeking reelection.

Bonta was born in Quezon City and is the son of activist parents who were involved in the United Farm Workers movement.

He graduated from Yale University and Yale Law School and became the first Filipino American elected to the California State Legislature.

Bonta's passion for justice and public service was shaped by his parents, who were on the frontlines of some of America's most significant social justice movements. 

Drawing from the lessons of the United Farm Workers, the civil rights movement, and the People Power Revolution in the Philippines, they instilled in him a commitment to stand up for those who are disadvantaged or harmed.

Bonta, a Democrat, serves as the 34th Attorney General of California, becoming the first Filipino American to serve in the role. — VDV, GMA News