Loretta Sanchez

Loretta Sanchez won 51% to 42% against Republican Van Tran in California's 47th Congressional District. Third party candidate Ceci Iglesias received 7% of the vote.

Loretta Sanchez (D) is running for re-election for her 8th term in California’s 47th District.  She faces a general election.

Loretta Sanchez, and her sister Linda Sanchez, have made history for women in the United States by becoming the first sisters ever to serve in the United States Congress simultaneously.  Loretta Sanchez is a powerhouse for progressive politics in a conservative leaning area, working to support women’s rights and equality for all.  Sanchez received an educational opportunity at a young age through the Head Start program, and she believes in continuing to offer children with affirmative action opportunities.

Background:
●    Elected as Representative to CA-46 in 1996-2003 and has served in CA-47 since 2003. Sanchez is the first Hispanic woman ever elected to Congress from Orange County.
●    Congresswoman Sanchez serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and is the ranking female member on the House Armed Services Committee.  She is also a member of the Joint Economic Committee.
●    Sanchez earned a 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood in 2008.

Sanchez’s Position on Key Issues:

• Women’s Rights: Sanchez supports constitutional equality and equal pay.  Sanchez has worked in House Armed Services Committee on Women Issues, including co-sponsoring legislation regarding sexual assault and rape in the military and introducing legislation honoring women’s invaluable contribution to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Reproductive Rights: As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, Congresswoman Sanchez has consistently worked to protect a woman's right to choose.
• LGBT Rights:  Sanchez voted to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and supported the “Sexual Orientation Employment Nondiscrimination Act”

General Election Opponents:  California State Assembly Member Van Tran (R) and local business man and Marine veteran Quang Pham (R)

Prospects: Sanchez’s district has historically been Republican leaning, with President George Bush carrying the district in 2004 and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger winning the district in 2006.  CA Assembly Member Tran is a fixture in state Republican politics and though Sanchez has been able to keep her district blue for the past seven years, this will probably be a serious challenge.

Endorsements: Feminist Majority PAC, California Labor Federation, Women’s Campaign Forum

Website: http://www.loretta.org