By Teresa Trujillo

Teresa Hernandez announced her candidacy to replace Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in California’s 32nd Congressional District at a high energy kickoff Thursday evening. The May 19, 2009 special election will give the Republican candidate an opportunity to help turn the liberal tide in Washington, DC.

Teresa and her husband of 30 years, Joe, have a successful business, raised their children, and have a foundation that teaches music to school children. The Covina native is willing to trade her successful private life to run for office because she is concerned that Congress is out of touch with what is happening at the street level. Visit Hernandez’ website here.

State Senator Gill Cedillo is the liberal Democrat vying for the seat. Cedillo is best known as the author of the bill he introduces every year to grant drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Cedillo has always been more interested in granting government benefits to illegal immigrants than protecting American citizens from the drugs, crime, and tax burden from those who feel that our national border is just a suggestion, and that U.S. immigration laws should be ignored.

For any voter concerned about the lawlessness at the U.S. southern border, there is a viable candidate who wants to enforce the border and stop the illegal incursions into the country by both people and drugs.

Hernandez knows that street crime is the biggest issue in her district. Much of that street crime is a direct result of illegal immigration. Residents have a right to feel safe in their neighborhoods.

She believes Americans have a right to know who is in our country and why they are here. With enforced border security, traditional Latino neighborhoods will be safer, livable dommunities. Neighborhood schools will be stronger stepping stones to success. It takes a candidate who has a strong relationship with the Latino community to deliver this important message in CA-32. Teresa Hernandez has the leadership in the Latino community to be considered a credible candidate representing her constituents.

The Hernandez’ restraunt in South El Monte, Cielito Lindo, and music production businesses employ eighty. She would represent business owners who are being overly burdened by federal mandates. I appreciate a candidate who knows how hard it is to make payroll, pay taxes, and provide benefits in an ever shrinking market.

She knows that a Congress that keeps raising taxes and spending beyond the level taxpayer can support hurts local, state, and national economies.

The open primary special election provides a unique opportunity to move a traditionally democrat congressional seat to a strong republican representative. All republicans can support a local candidate via her website at teresahernandez.com

It is nine weeks to the special election. It will take time, talent, and treasure to win. I have already signed up to help and support Teresa Hernandez’ efforts to defeat one of the most liberal illegal immigrants’ rights advocates in the state. She knows what I know, illegal immigration hurts Americans of Latino decent first, and hurts every taxpaying household in the country.

It is time to support a financially conservative candidate who will bring the common sense of a business owner, parent, and community activist to the U.S. Congress.