Community organizer Joaquín Vázquez announced his candidacy for Congress for California's 52nd District, which represents Chula Vista, National City, and Imperial Beach.
He is the executive director of Organizing for Progress and will face current congressman Juan Vargas who had announced his candidacy for the same district.
They are both children of Mexican immigrants and are fluent in Spanish They are both Democrats, and they are the only ones contesting the position.
Vázquez was born in City Heights but moved to Tijuana when his father was deported. He returned to San Diego County at the age of 15 to work two jobs to gain custody of his younger brothers, who studied in California.
Joaquín Vázquez graduated in Political Science from the University of California at Davis (UCD). His life and studies led him to choose to be a grassroots organizer.
This is the second time that Vázquez faces Juan Vargas in the electoral contest. In 2020, Vázquez contested the congressional seat for the 51st district, also against Varga, but with scant funds. Vargas was able to hold on to the position for the fifth time.
Per the results of the 2020 census, California lost one electoral district, and the 51st district changed. It previously included what is now the 52nd District, but also the entire California border through San Diego and Imperial counties.
When the new electoral boundaries of District 52 were known, Juan Vargas announced his candidacy now for that demarcation. Vázquez announced his candidacy over the weekend and reported that he will begin his campaign as soon as possible.
