FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
Gil Cisneros Statement on CA-31 Primary Results
Covina, CA – Today, former LA County Congressman, Under Secretary of Defense, and Education and Veterans Advocate Gil Cisneros secured a top two spot to advance to the November general election in California’s 31st Congressional District. While there are ballots still being counted, it is clear that Gil Cisneros will finish on top of a crowded primary field of 10 candidates as his lead has grown with each successive vote count.
Gil finishing as the sole Democrat shows a clear message that the voters of the San Gabriel Valley are united behind him. After the primary, retiring Congresswoman Grace Napolitano announced her endorsement of Gil Cisneros to succeed her, as well as Democratic primary contender State Senator Bob Archuleta.
“Throughout the 14 years I have known Gil Cisneros, it has been clear that his life has been about service to others–proudly serving our nation in uniform, charitably giving toward Latino youth and education, serving in Congress, and serving under President Biden as the Under Secretary of Defense. I know he will continue the work we have done for the San Gabriel Valley and put first the critical needs of all residents, from improving public health and the mental well-being of our constituents and ensuring our military families and veterans receive the benefits they have earned, to improving the daily commute of workers and students, and protecting our environment, including the San Gabriel Mountains and our rivers, streams, and water supply. I am honored to endorse Gil to continue his service as our next representative for the 31st Congressional District.” said Congresswoman Napolitano
“I want to thank my family, my team, and everyone who supported our campaign, a campaign built on holding corporate special interests accountable, about protecting choice, ending gun violence, and moving our country forward,” Cisneros said in a statement late Tuesday. “I am grateful to have earned the trust and support of the voters. It is something I will not take for granted and work everyday to ensure the San Gabriel Valley has a member of Congress ready to fight for them. We’ll see who will be joining us in the general election, but no matter who it is, I know that together we bring positive results to the San Gabriel Valley.”
Gil Cisneros supporters include Supervisor Hilda Solis, Congresswoman Napolitano, Congressmember Judy Chu, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, Retired Assemblymember Mike Eng, BOLD PAC Chair Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Giffords PAC, ASPIRE PAC, California Environmental Voters, League of Conservation Voters, SEIU California, Democrats Serve, the New Democratic Coalition Action Fund, Operating Engineers Local 12, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36. A full endorsement list can be found here.
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Gil Cisneros is the former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and the Military’s Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer. A former U.S. Naval Officer, Gil was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2), the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his exemplary service to his country.
From 2019 to 2021, Cisneros served as U.S. representative for Los Angeles County in California’s 39th Congressional District where he served on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees.
Gil is an advocate and co-founder of The Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation, an organization committed to improving the level of Hispanic education in the country and the lives of Veterans. Gilbert’s dedication toward philanthropy began when he purchased a winning California Mega Millions lottery ticket in 2010. Gil and Jacki partnered with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the city of Pico Rivera, California to create Generation First Degree Pico Rivera, with the goal of putting a college degree in every Hispanic household in the city. Gil’s commitment to education led him to be appointed to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative’s advisory board.
California’s 31st is an open Congressional District in Los Angeles County covering the San Gabriel Valley. Incumbent Congressmember Grace Napolitano is retiring. The district includes all or part of the Cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, City of Industry, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Irwindale, La Puente, La Verne, Monrovia, San Dimas, South El Monte, and West Covina. 51.2% of the registered voters in CA-31 identify as Latino, and 15.3% are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent.
Gil Cisneros is a former Navy officer and the use of his military rank, job titles and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.
