May 3,2018-
When was the last time Cesar Chavez’s UFW and mainline farmer groups in California were backing the same candidate for governor?
Are you listening?
Former Los Angeles Mayor and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa received the endorsement of Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual this month and Fresno’s Nisei Farmers League this past week after the United Farm Workers endorsed his candidacy in late February.
A few weeks ago farmer advocate Manuel Cunha was first farm leader out the gate talking up Villalagosa who faces a tough primary in June with Lt Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom, who has a power base in the Bay Area, is competing as well with several strong GOP candidates popular in the conservative San Joaquin Valley.
Nisei Farmers League’s Cunha argues “Antonio understands the needs of agricultural. He appreciates the growers and farmworkers that provide food to our nation. He shares our passion to protect the immigrants and dreamers that are here in working in California and will work to bring water to our Valley.”
In the past week Fresno area Congressman Jim Costa joined what may be the the start of a Valley-based chorus endorsing Villaraigosa for Governor, announcing his support April 29.
Political realities and the need for both water and labor are playing a part in these practical political calculations.
Tulare County-based California Citrus Mutual (CCM) said on their website this week that “ Straight talk conversations” have led to their decision. “100 percent agreement was not the goal, nor did it materialize, but CCM has ascertained that Antonio Villaraigosa will be more temperate in his approach and fully understands the value of water to the community, the regulatory environment, and a legislature that leans too far to the left. His tenure as Mayor of Los Angeles is a barometer for optimism as he took on government largess and unions. In a state that Hillary Clinton carried by four million votes, finding an electable candidate that understands, listens and is willing to advocate for our balanced approach is important. He has been told that supporting the lesser of two evils is not our objective, but supporting a candidate that can do the above is our goal.”
CCMs president Joe Nelsen told Western Farm Press this week “Our Board of Directors has had several productive conversations with Mr. Villaraigosa. We have asked very targeted questions on specific issues affecting our industry and he has provided direct, honest, and substantive responses. We are confident that as Governor, Mr. Villaraigosa will continue to engage with our industry and offer this same level of openness and transparency.
“Mr. Villaraigosa is committed to working with all stakeholders to implement public policy that is balanced and in the best interest of all Californians. He has demonstrated a willingness to listen, learn, and engage with the agriculture industry in order to create policies that support the economic and business interests of farmers and respect the employer-employee relationship,” concludes Nelsen.
“As a citrus grower in the Central Valley, I am incredibly concerned for the future of agriculture if our elected leaders do not move forward with real solutions to our water supply crisis,” said CCM Board Chairman Curt Holmes. “I believe Mr. Villaraigosa when he says ‘a deal is a deal.’ We, the people of California, made a deal to build surface water storage. I trust Mr. Villaraigosa will make good on that deal.
“At the end of the day, we need a Governor who will give us a seat at the table, hear our concerns, and factor them into the decision. Mr. Villaraigosa has committed to do that,” concludes Holmes.
In February the UFW convention endorsed Villaraigosa arguing he has long advocated for their cause.
“Antonio has consistently stood with and worked with farmworkers in good times and tough times over the course of many years,” said Arturo Rodriguez, president of the union, saying Villaraigosa’s efforts stretched from picketing on behalf of striking grape pickers as a teenager to his days as an elected leader and beyond. “He made calls to legislators, he walked picket lines and he sought to use his influence to help farmworkers get better lives.”
Will more farm groups follow? The race for California’s governor appears up in the air with only weeks to go until the primary.
Major players ante up
Reports suggest growers.in the California heartland are donating to the LA based candidate. This account is from the publication CALmatters, suggesting large farmers are coming around.
“Villaraigosa will be in Modesto later this month for a fundraiser hosted by almond growers, one of dozens of trips he has made as a candidate to the Other California. It’s paying off. Political action committees representing pistachio growers, berry farmers and dairy operators have given him $20,000 or more each.
J.G. Boswell Co., one the state’s largest farmland owners, has given him $50,000. Fresno almond farmer Donald Peracchi chipped in $25,000. Peracchi is president of the Westlands Water District, which supplies water to farms in Fresno and Kings counties, and no issue is more important to farmers than water.
Sarah Woolf said Villaraigosa spent “two full days” with her Fresno-based farming operation last year, “learning about water and agriculture,” and has returned multiple times since.
“He wasn’t coming with answers. He was coming to listen,” said Woolf, a Republican. Woolf Farming donated $15,000 to his campaign.”
Even Dan Gerawan, bitter rival of the UFW has donated money to Villaraigosa.
So how it going? One account says “A SurveyUSA poll last week showed former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa closing the distance behind fellow Democrat Lt. Gavin Newsom. Meanwhile, a Berkeley IGS poll indicated Villaraigosa falling behind not just Republican businessman John Cox, as he has in some past surveys, but also Republican Assemblyman Travis Allen.”