District of Columbia 37.95%
California 21.05%
Virginia 5.67%
Illinois 4.08%
New York 4.08%
Other 27.18%
Not Much Change Expected In San Diego’s Congressional Delegation — May 18, 2016 KPBS
U.S. House of Representatives - District 51
District 51 — U.S. House of Representatives
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the District 51 — U.S. House of Representatives
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
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About this office
Representatives are elected to two-year terms to represent the people of a specific congressional district in the federal government. They introduce and vote on new laws, hold hearings, and are responsible for approving federal taxes.
News and links
News
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Candidates
You can vote for 1 of these 4 candidates.
Juan Vargas
Democratic
Top 3 Priorities
Juan Vargas's priorities are not yet available.
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Profile
Endorsed by
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Juan M. Hidalgo, Jr.
Republican
Top 3 Priorities
Juan M. Hidalgo, Jr.'s priorities are not yet available.
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Profile
Endorsed by
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Top 3 Priorities
- Increase employment opportunites and improve the economy....
- Pass immigration reform and stop the deportation of...
- Establish a fully functioning VA facility in Imperial...
Profile
Endorsed by
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Carlos J. Sanchez
Republican
Top 3 Priorities
Carlos J. Sanchez's priorities are not yet available.
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Profile
Endorsed by
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Democratic
U.S. Representative
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Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Total money raised: $1,037,099
Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:
1
American Bankers Association
$10,000
1
American Crystal Sugar
$10,000
1
Border Health PAC
$10,000
1
Cox Enterprises
$10,000
1
Ernst & Young
$10,000
1
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
$10,000
1
KPMG
$10,000
1
Liberty Mutual Group
$10,000
1
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
$10,000
1
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
$10,000
1
National Association of Realtors
$10,000
1
New Democrat Coalition
$10,000
1
New York Life Insurance Company
$10,000
1
Sheet Metal Workers' International Association
$10,000
1
The Desert Caucus
$10,000
1
UBS
$10,000
1
UNITE HERE
$10,000
1
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
$10,000
1
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
$10,000
1
USAA
$10,000
More information about contributions
By State:
By Size:
Large contributions (99.68%)
Small contributions (0.32%)
By Type:
From organizations (82.70%)
From individuals (17.30%)
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.
Republican
Retired U.S. Marine
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Candidate has not provided information.
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Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Total money raised: $79,902
Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:
1
Combat Veterans for Congress
$4,000
2
Employees of Scaroni Family Of Companies
$3,500
3
Employees of Juan M Hidalgo Jr
$2,966
4
Employees of Bornt & Sons
$2,700
4
Employees of Deltak Manufacturing
$2,700
4
Employees of ResMed
$2,700
More information about contributions
By State:
California 88.79%
Florida 4.33%
District of Columbia 3.20%
Oregon 1.60%
Virginia 1.60%
Other 0.48%
By Size:
Large contributions (78.13%)
Small contributions (21.87%)
By Type:
From organizations (8.01%)
From individuals (91.99%)
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.
Candidate Contact Info
Democratic
Deputy Sheriff
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My Top 3 Priorities
- Increase employment opportunites and improve the economy. Meet with goverment officials, community leaders, and partners in education to maximize employment and boost the economy.
- Pass immigration reform and stop the deportation of American Soldiers, Veterans, and their families.
- Establish a fully functioning VA facility in Imperial County. There is no VA facility in the entire County of Imperial. All Veterans have to drive over two hours to seek medical and administrative assistance from the VA in San Diego County.
Experience
Experience
Profession:Deputy Sheriff, U.S. Army Veteran (Captain), Combat Infantry Veteran (Iraq), Writer of "Fate of a Deported Veteran."
Deputy Sheriff, San Diego County Sheriff (1997–current)
Education
San Diego State University — Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences, Criminal Justice (1997)
Community Activities
Director, Deported Veterans of America (2014–current)
Biography
At the age of four, my Mother and I were abandoned by my Father. Months after, my Mother passed away. I had no choice but to find work throughout my childhood as a piñata maker, and a field worker.
At nineteen, I joined the Army and served in Iraq as an Infantry Soldier.
I attended San Diego State University and enrolled in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. I graduated as the Aztec Cadet Commander, first in my class, and as a Commissioned Officer.
To help U.S. Military Veterans with the struggles of deportation, I established the help center "Deported Veterans of America."
I authored the books "Fate of a Deported Veteran" and "Fe Americana." They portray the real life struggles of deported Veterans through the life of a fictional character.
I am pro-immigration reform, and I seek an immediate end to the deportations of U.S. Soldiers and Veterans. I support the reunification of U.S. Citizens with their deported family members.
I oppose cuts to community assistance programs, medical care and social security.
I support an increase of the minimum wage, and better pension plans.
Working together with everyone in education, private business and government, we can end the economic recession and increase job opportunities at all levels.
I am a strong advocate of reading and writing, and an active participant and promoter of the non-profit organization "Latino Literacy Now."
With the power of education, our multi-cultural community is stronger.
Muchas Gracias, Salamat Po, Danke Schön, and Thank You.
Employment History
• Deputy Sheriff (Currently Employed).
• Class A Truck Driver w/All Endorsements.
• Carpet Cleaning Business Owner & Operator.
• Landscaping Business Owner & Operator.
• Security Guard.
• Drycleaner.
• Field Worker.
• Piñata Maker.
Education
• San Diego State University / Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences / Criminal Justice Administration. Books Written • Fate of a Deported Veteran. • Fe Americana (In Spanish). Languages Spoken • English.• Spanish.
• German (25%). Military Service • U.S. Army Veteran / Captain (Military Police / Combat Missions in Croatia and Bosnia).
• U.S. Army Veteran / Corporal (Infantry / Combat Missions in Iraq).
Questions & Answers
Questions from The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund and California Counts, a public media collaboration. (4)
Should immigration laws be changed? What changes would you support? Please explain why.
Answer from Juan "Charly" Mercado-Flores:
Yes, immigration laws should be changed immediately.
We need to stop the deportation of American Soldiers, Veterans, and their families now.
The political climate in Washington, D.C. has been extremely partisan in recent years. In that kind of atmosphere, what would you do to get things done while in office?
Answer from Juan "Charly" Mercado-Flores:
I say no to career politicians.
I say no to PAC's and Super PAC's.
Large businesses and Wall Street need to stay out of our political process.
What, if anything, does the U.S. need to do in order to address national security and terrorism? Please explain your answer in detail.
Answer from Juan "Charly" Mercado-Flores:
We need to hold countries which harbor terrorist organizations accountable and impose stricter sanctions first.
I support the efforts of our military to go after and eliminate terrorist elements around the world.
The Federal Government plays a part in California water allocation and use through a variety of laws. What, if any, legislation would you support in an effort to handle water shortages caused by the current and any future drought?
Answer from Juan "Charly" Mercado-Flores:
I will support continued water conservation methods and technology while maintaining our environment safe and healthy for all living creatures.
I say no to "fracking."
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Total money raised: $8,100
More information about contributions
By State:
California 100.00%
By Size:
Large contributions (100.00%)
Small contributions (0.00%)
By Type:
From organizations (0.00%)
From individuals (100.00%)
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.
Candidate Contact Info
Republican
Medical Doctor/Pediatrician
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For more in-depth information on this candidate, follow the links for each tab in this section. For most screenreaders, you can hit Return or Enter to enter a tab and read the content within.
Candidate has not provided information.
Are you this candidate? Add more info.
Who gave money to this candidate?
Contributions
Total money raised: $26,124
Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:
1
Mr Carlos J Sanchez and employees
$26,124
More information about contributions
By State:
California 100.00%
By Size:
Large contributions (100.00%)
Small contributions (0.00%)
By Type:
From organizations (13.40%)
From individuals (86.60%)
Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.
