Dolores Huerta endorses Caballero in state Senate re-election

Less than three hours after state Sen. Melissa Hurtado, D-Sanger, announced she would seek re-election in the newly drawn 14th state Senate District, her colleague – state Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced – announced she had gotten the endorsement of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.

Due to redistricting, both incumbents are in the same district.

“Sen. Caballero is one of us. She has represented the counties of Merced, Madera and Fresno admirably in the state legislature for the last four years,” said Huerta in a press release from Caballero’s campaign. “Her service proves her devotion to the Central Valley. I look forward to joining her on the campaign trail.”

Caballero – who lost a chunk of Salinas and saw about half of her old 12th state Senate District drawn into Hurtado’s district during redistricting that was completed Monday night – welcomed Huerta’s backing.

“I am grateful and humbled to receive this very noteworthy and important endorsement,” said Caballero in the press statement. “Dolores Huerta inspired me to become a farmworker attorney.

“All I have ever wanted to do is to walk the path that Dolores has carved out for those of us who believe in social justice.”

Huerta said Caballero has responded to constituent requests “like no previous state senator has been able to do.”

“From broadband access, to more funding for our local schools, to safe drinking water, Anna Caballero has fought to improve the lives of Central Valley residents,” said Huerta.

The redistricted 14th District stretches from Atwater and Merced in the north, to Coalinga and Huron in the south, and Sanger and Reedley to the east. It includes Reedley, Orange Cove, Selma, and a southern chunk of the City of Fresno.