California’s 2018 gubernatorial election – the biggest race of the 2018 cycle – is already turning out to be a referendum on President Donald Trump. That’s doubly true when it comes to his policies against immigrants.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is heading up the fight against Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric. His weapon of choice happens to be Trump’s kryptonite: facts.
In his latest political ad – the first in a series titled “Facts Speak for Themselves” – the former Los Angeles Mayor dives into some of the interesting numbers pertaining to immigration in the Golden State.
“Seven hundred and fifteen billion dollars – that’s how much immigrants contributed to California’s economy in 2016” Villaraigosa says, quoting an academic study conducted by the California Immigrant Policy Center, a statewide constituent-based immigration rights organization.
“Immigrants,” Villaraigosa adds, “are twice as likely to start businesses – and over 52% of startups in Silicon Valley had at least 1 immigrant founder.” His claim is again backed up by a study from the New American Economy that details the valuable contributions immigrants make to California’s business world – and in return, the state’s entire economy.
“I know California has our very own dream. And the secret to our success is that we attract the brightest minds and the hardest workers from all over the world.” Villaraigosa says.
“That’s one more reason why we need to stand up to Donald Trump. He attacks our values and our families,” he adds at the end of the spot. “Because when he attacks our diversity, he weakens our economy.”
Those elections – which were fought entirely in deep red states and districts – didn’t amount to any wins for the Democrats. But as they say, “As California goes, so goes the nation.” – so you can probably expect 2018 to be different.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is heading up the fight against Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric. His weapon of choice happens to be Trump’s kryptonite: facts.
No Room for ‘Alternative Facts’
Since he announced his candidacy last November, Villaraigosa has been speaking out against Trump – specifically on the president’s immigration stance, and his dystopic economic worldview.In his latest political ad – the first in a series titled “Facts Speak for Themselves” – the former Los Angeles Mayor dives into some of the interesting numbers pertaining to immigration in the Golden State.
“Seven hundred and fifteen billion dollars – that’s how much immigrants contributed to California’s economy in 2016” Villaraigosa says, quoting an academic study conducted by the California Immigrant Policy Center, a statewide constituent-based immigration rights organization.
“Immigrants,” Villaraigosa adds, “are twice as likely to start businesses – and over 52% of startups in Silicon Valley had at least 1 immigrant founder.” His claim is again backed up by a study from the New American Economy that details the valuable contributions immigrants make to California’s business world – and in return, the state’s entire economy.
“I know California has our very own dream. And the secret to our success is that we attract the brightest minds and the hardest workers from all over the world.” Villaraigosa says.
“That’s one more reason why we need to stand up to Donald Trump. He attacks our values and our families,” he adds at the end of the spot. “Because when he attacks our diversity, he weakens our economy.”
Make the Midterms Great Again
In early 2017, after Trump pieced together his cabinet, there was a spate of special elections across the country to replace the elected officials who had been brought into the Trump administration. Many of those special elections were also dubbed a “referendum on Trump.”Those elections – which were fought entirely in deep red states and districts – didn’t amount to any wins for the Democrats. But as they say, “As California goes, so goes the nation.” – so you can probably expect 2018 to be different.