Lucy Flores (D), is running for Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, and when she wins she will be the first Latina to hold that position. Her bid for election is bringing out new voters and winning over older ones. The cornerstone of her platform is education. Few people know the power and the difference access to education can make in a life than Flores herself. She doesn't just mouth political rhetoric—her life reflects the profound impact of of her decision to continue to go to school.
You see, Lucy was a high school dropout. She got into trouble with the law, then turned her life around, got a GED, went to community college, and went on to get a law degree. To help give back what was given to her, she ran for statewide office and won. She will never forget where she came from, and in this ad in Spanish, she targets education to inspire young people to stay in school and follow in her footsteps:
I want to be Leo Messi! (young boy)
I’m El Chicharito! (second young boy)
I’m Lucy Flores! (young girl)
Who? (group of kids)
(voiceover) Lucy Flores didn’t have it easy. Her mom abandoned her family and Lucy fell through the cracks. But with hard work and help from mentors she graduated as a lawyer and today she’s the first Latina candidate for Lt. Governor.
(Flores) It doesn’t matter where they come from, every kid deserves to reach their dreams, but it’s up to us to fight for their education.
I’m Lucy Flores! (child's voice)
No, I’m Lucy Flores! (child's voice)
Flores has been
endorsed by Daily Kos.
Help Lucy Flores fight for quality education. Your $3 (or more) donation will go a long way to helping her win.
Join me below the fold to learn more about her.
Flores was elected to the Nevada Assembly in November of 2010 and served her first legislative session representing District 28 in 2011 during the 76th regular session. She was re-elected in 2012. She testified supporting
Nevada Bill AB230, which sought to "establish a comprehensive, age-appropriate and medically accurate course of instruction in sex education," and during that testimony shared her personal experience with abortion. Anti-choice forces attacked her viciously, but she fought back, and her supporters nicknamed her "Fierce Flores," which became the Twitter hashtag -
#fierceflores.
She was featured on MSNBC recently, both in print and in the video, "Breaking Glass: Meet Lucy Flores."
It opens with Flores saying, "By the time I was fifteen I was on juvenile parole ... by the time I was seventeen, I was a high school dropout ... and at that time there was nothing to indicate that I would go on to become the first in my family to go to college."
She talks about the neighborhood she grew up in, her two oldest brothers being murdered, her mom leaving, the challenges she faced, and her run-ins with the law and how her life experiences shaped her desire to make a difference.
For more, read "Listening to Latinas: Lucy Flores," and "Yes, she should ... run for lieutenant governor of Nevada".
I was elated when she made the decision to run, and now I'd like to help her get sorely needed "ayuda" (help). So chip in a few dollars if you can, and help Lucy win this. You'll not only be helping her, but you'll be helping young people in Nevada too. One day one of those kids may become the next Lucy Flores.
Please make a donation to the Flores campaign today.
Let's make possible to see more young people proudly proclaim,"Yo soy Lucy Flores!"