Arizona Legislative District (LD) Two Representative Daniel Hernandez states he has always wanted to help people since he was a small child.
First, he wanted to help people by training in the medical profession. Later, the influence of former House Representative Gabby Giffords steered him toward assisting others through public service.
Since 2017, Mr. Hernandez has been serving the people of LD Two and Grand Canyon State as a member of the Arizona House.
In that time, he has supported and voted for measures to:
- Support Democracy and the right to vote.
- Provide gun-free safety zones in schools.
- Safeguard water safety.
- Fund childcare services.
- Protect and Increase rights for the LGBTQ Community.
- Fully fund public education.
- Expand affordable low-income housing.
- Maintain the minimum wage for all state workers.
- Protect a woman’s right to choose.
Representative Hernandez has joined other Democrats from the State Legislature who are looking to succeed the retiring Ann Kirkpatrick in representing Southeastern Arizona.
If he receives his party’s nomination and if elected in 2022, he would work to:
- Reduce racial and socioeconomic inequities in society.
- Promote future infrastructure legislation such as broadband expansion.
- Make southeastern Arizona an attractive location for businesses and future residents to move to.
Representative Hernandez graciously took the time to discuss his candidacy for the House of Representatives.
The questions and his responses are below.
1) Please tell the readers two reasons you would like to become the next House Representative from Arizona House Congressional District Two.
“I have wanted to help people since I was five years old when I was injured. I received stitches on my head and the doctor who treated me showed me that hospitals weren’t scary places where people went to die and instead they tried to help people and send them back to their families. This incident inspired me to help others and I trained as a nursing assistant. I also worked on campaigns to elect Democrats. One of the first campaigns was for Gabby Giffords and she asked me why I wanted to become a doctor. After I answered that it was to help people she asked me why not help people by being an advocate for them and being a voice for people who cannot speak for themselves.”
“I am effective in the State Legislature and we need people in Washington DC who are able to get stuff done. I have worked to find solutions and have fought for progressive values such as when I led the repeal of “No Promo Homo” and securing $20 million for school counselors, social workers, and school resource officers in the budget.”
2) Please tell the readers what are at least two qualifications you have to serve in the House of Representatives.
“I have been an elected official for ten years in our community as a school board member and state legislator. I have served in the state legislature for the last five years where I have worked with Democrats and Republicans to invest in our schools, protect access to health care and keep rural hospitals open, and stand up for marginalized communities.”
“I was an advocate for years before entering elected office. From gun safety, where I helped persuade Governor Brewer to veto poor gun safety legislation as well as to sign measures that helped improve data reporting into the background check system, to my time as the National Latino Outreach Director for Planned Parenthood of America working to advance reproductive rights.”
3) In your opinion, what are the three most important issues facing Arizonans and the American People? Please explain.
“The inequities with regards to access to health care. We need to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and make it more affordable and accessible for all. People should not have to drive long distances to get health care and the urban and rural divide on health care is a real problem that needs to be addressed. We were in a situation where the Santa Cruz Regional Hospital in Green Valley was on the verge of having no funds to operate. I worked with Governor Ducey to maintain funding for that hospital and helped keep it open during the pandemic.”
“Investing in our infrastructure like roads and bridges in Tucson which are critical to repair. Also, the rural and urban divide in broadband for schooling and commerce must be addressed and the gap lowered.”
“Making sure that we have a recovery that meets the long-term economic development for the people of Southern Arizona. Attracting businesses and promoting high-paying union jobs for Southeastern Arizona in the long run. Also, promoting vibrant commerce with Mexico as citizens from both countries cross both sides to engage in trade and cultural exchange.”
4) Please explain your views on border security and immigration reform.
“I already represent a border county. These are the constituents I serve and I hear their concerns every day. We need to make sure we bring people out of the shadows and provide a pathway to citizenship. We need a real plan for the people seeking asylum and not repeat Donald Trump’s separation of families and putting kids in cages. I will work for comprehensive immigration reform that treats families with dignity, helps fuel Arizona’s economy, and keeps our border communities safe.”
5) Please explain your views on funding the police and law enforcement reform.
“I think what happened in the last year and a half with the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd revealed the need for police to develop better relationships with communities of color. We need better-trained law enforcement officers and school resource officers. This is a deeply personal issue for my family as my sister Alma was hurt by an untrained school resource officer when she was in high school. In the state legislature, I worked to not only secure needed funding for social workers, counselors, and school resource officers in our schools but to ensure all school resource officers are trained on de-escalation and cultural sensitivity, particularly in working with students of color. In Congress, I will continue to support reform that builds greater trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”
6) Is there anything not covered in the first five questions that you would like the readers to know? Please explain.
“I’m a native of Southern Arizona. I’ve been working for over a decade as an elected official to improve our community. I know how important it is to have representation that looks like the community. I am the son of an immigrant, Latino, and gay. I not only would bring a new perspective as the first Latino Congressman for the district, but I have a proven track record of getting results for Southern Arizona.”
Please click on the below social media sites for more information on Mr. Hernandez and his candidacy for the House of Representatives.
Facebook – https://facebook.com/daniel.hernandez.az
Instagram – https://instagram.com/danielforaz
Twitter – https://twitter.com/danielforaz
Website – https://www.danielhernandezforcongress.com/
Link to Donate – https://www.danielhernandezforcongress.com/donate
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