ENDORSEMENTS

STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT

ORGANIZATIONS & LABOR UNIONS

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

“Throughout his life, Joseph C. Rocha has served our country and community with honor, courage and an extraordinary commitment to justice. Joseph will bring a unique perspective and powerful life experiences to Sacramento, as he works to tackle the critical challenges we face. We are proud to endorse Joseph for Assembly and look forward to fighting alongside him for full, lived equality.”

VOTEVETS

"Joseph has shown an unwavering commitment to service throughout his entire life. From advocating for the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don’t Tell' to serving as a Marine Corps Captain, Joseph knows what it takes to fight for justice against all odds. VoteVets is proud to endorse Joseph C. Rocha for State Assembly, because we know that he will fight for the people of the 76th District with the courageous leadership that they deserve."

PAINTERS & ALLIED TRADES, DISTRICT COUNCIL 36

"We need more leaders at the State Legislature who come from a working class background. We need more leaders like Joseph C. Rocha. A veteran and the son of a long-haul truck driver, Joseph has experienced the same struggles that so many working families have. That’s why we trust Joseph to fight to protect the rights of workers across the 76th Assembly District. We are excited to endorse Joseph for State Assembly."

SAFER CA PAC

“Safer California is proud to endorse Joseph Rocha for California State Assembly. He brings a commitment to strengthening gun safety laws and has a strong record of fighting for our communities. We are confident that Joseph will be a powerful voice for change in Sacramento and a champion for gun violence prevention.”

ELECTED OFFICIALS

STATE CONTROLLER MALIA COHEN

"Joseph C. Rocha is the kind of leader who will always fight the good fight and never back down from a challenge. Joseph's courage and perseverance were on display when he helped overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and later returned to service in the Marine Corps. With so many challenges facing our state, we need more leaders like Joseph at the Capitol who will put the needs of working families first and help us fight back against special interests that threaten to stop our progress. I wholeheartedly endorse Joseph for the 76th Assembly District."

STATE SENATOR SUSAN EGGMAN

"Joseph has always had the courage to lead with his convictions. When he was discharged from the Navy for being gay, Joseph showed he’s not afraid to stand up for what’s right and fought to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ — then returned to the military as a Marine Corps Officer. As a fellow veteran, I am proud to endorse a servant leader like Joseph Rocha for State Assembly."

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RICARDO LARA

"Joseph embodies courage and commitment to service. The courage he showed to tell his story was integral in ending ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Joseph’s commitment to service is why he returned to service as a Marine and continued to fight for our freedoms. That courage and sense of commitment is exactly what voters can expect from Joseph at the Capitol, where he will work across the aisle to help find solutions to improve wages for workers, combat homelessness and stand up for equal rights. For those reasons and so many more, I am proud to endorse Joseph C. Rocha for State Assembly.”

STATE SENATOR JOHN LAIRD

“Joseph C. Rocha has been a leader on issues that matter most to the 76th Assembly District – from taking strong action on climate change, expanding affordable housing to improving equity across the district and state. His personal story is one of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles time after time. I know he will bring this dedication and leadership to the state legislature. I am pleased to endorse him for the California State Assembly.”

STATE SENATOR CAROLINE MENJIVAR

“Joseph C. Rocha and I share a lot in common with each other. We both come from hard-working immigrant families. We both served our country in the Marine Corps. And we believe in duty, service, and commitment to our community. I know Joseph will be a forward thinker who will fight for good-paying jobs, better healthcare, and veterans care. I wholeheartedly support his run for State Assembly.”

STATE SENATOR STEVE PADILLA

"I proudly endorse Joseph C. Rocha for State Assembly. The hard working communities across North County deserve a leader like Joseph who will roll up his sleeves and get to work just like they do. I know Joseph's ability to bring people together will help build consensus and find solutions to address some of California's biggest issues like affordable housing, homelessness, healthcare, and job creation."

STATE SENATOR SCOTT WIENER

"I'm thrilled to endorse Joseph C. Rocha for State Assembly. As a veteran, Joseph not only fought to protect our freedom but also fought for the rights of LGBTQ+ people serving in the military when he helped lead the fight to overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Joseph's leadership and dedication to service will help lead California to a brighter and more prosperous future."

STATE ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER* ELOISE GÓMEZ REYES

“Voters in the 76th District deserve a leader like Joseph C. Rocha, who knows what it's like to put in an honest day's work. He understands what it's like to struggle and through these experiences of adversity, he has persevered and is better for it. Coming from a family of immigrants, a strong work ethic and a commitment to service were instilled in Joseph at a young age leading him to serve our country in the Marine Corps. I know Joseph will be a powerful voice for working families and fight for justice, equality, and prosperity for all. That's why I am proud to support Joseph C. Rocha in his run for State Assembly.”

STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER RICK CHAVEZ ZBUR

“I am honored to endorse my friend Joseph C. Rocha’s campaign for Assembly. Joseph has spent his life serving his country and his community. His courage and passion helped overturn the disastrous 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' policy and allow his fellow servicemembers to live openly and authentically. I know Joseph will bring that same passion and courage with him to Sacramento, and I look forward to working with him to help solve the critical issues facing our state today.”

FORMER MAYOR OF ESCONDIDO PAUL McNAMARA

“Leaders like Joseph C. Rocha don’t come around often. He has spent his life serving our country and our community, putting service over self. Joseph will be an independent voice who will stand up for the interests of working families in Escondido and North County. I’m proud to support his campaign for the 76th Assembly District.”

FORMER SAN MARCOS COUNCILMEMBER RANDY WALTON

"Joseph C. Rocha has proven throughout his life that he is willing to take on the toughest challenges and get the results we need to move forward. That’s the kind of attitude we need at the Capitol if we want to fix the biggest obstacles facing our state. Joseph is committed to improving the lives of everyone in the San Marcos community and he has my full support in his run for State Assembly."

COMMUNITY LEADERS

Sallie Kobulnicky, Former Educator / California Democratic Party Delegate* (San Marcos)
Brian LaMere, Small Business Owner / Veteran* (Escondido)
Lee Finney, President, Black Mountain Democratic Club* (San Diego)
Shawn Johnson, Non-Profit Leader / Veteran* (Escondido)
Cassandra Schaeg, Small Business Owner / California Democratic Party Delegate* (Escondido)
Korinne Starbird, Assistant Manager, Commercial Paint Industry* (Escondido)
Simon Gonzalez, ASE Certified Master Technician* (Escondido)
George Van Hasselt, Community Activist / California Democratic Party Delegate* (Escondido)
Ruth Elaine Van Hasselt, Speech Pathologist (ret.) / California Democratic Party Delegate* (Escondido)
Julia Anthony, Professional Artist* (Escondido)
Dr. Matt Ceppi, Former University Administrator* (San Marcos)
Sunny Escovedo, Bookkeeper* (4S Ranch)

*Titles for identification purposes only