Written and Edited by Elizabeth Garcia.
I am Elizabeth Garcia, campaign manager for Jared West. I recently graduated from Saint Leo University with a master’s degree in social work. I am a young, progressive Latina who looks up to radically compassionate individuals such as Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Bernie Sanders. I believe in basic human rights: affordable housing, quality education, universal healthcare, and a living wage.
As a social worker, I serve my community as an addiction counselor in Polk County, where I see
firsthand the barriers our community faces. The individuals I work with are stigmatized by
society and have opportunities taken away from them because of their past actions. These
individuals are often forced to continue in poverty and have to do whatever they can to survive.
Someone with a felony faces barriers to employment because of their background. If they cannot
gain employment, how do they pay for shelter or food? How can they care for their children?
How can they progress in life? As a society, we are not doing enough for these vulnerable
populations who have paid their debt and want to be productive members of society. As a
radically compassionate person myself, I refuse to sit back and allow these injustices to occur
before my eyes. That is why the field of social work chose me. My purpose is to advocate for
those who are marginalized and oppressed.
Becoming involved in policy work has been my goal for the past two years. I learned that I could
use my voice and foster my passion for social justice towards meaningful systemic change
through advocacy and policy. Back then, I knew that I could not settle to work for anyone whose
values and ethics did not align with mine. I wanted to find a progressive and passionate advocate
for the people who I could support, and that is what I have discovered in Jared West. He is a
strong, hard-working individual who does not shy away from fiercely advocating for his
community. I know that when Jared wins the election in November for Florida State
Representative of District 41, he will be fighting for each and every one of us in Tallahassee.
Jared represents us in a way that his opponent never could, as Jared does not accept money from
big businesses and corporations. This grassroots campaign is funded by YOU. And your voice
will finally be heard.
I know that with your support, we will get Jared West elected in a crucial race to flip Florida
blue. To contribute to Jared West and our campaign, you can do so at his Act Blue. On his
website, JaredWestForFlorida.com, you may also sign up as a volunteer in our grassroots
movement!
