. And twice in the past four years, she has co-authored strict new rules governing vaccine exemptions for schoolchildren.
“Everything about my mom fueled my passion in organizing those workers,” said Gonzalez, who speaks frequently and emotionally about her mother. “There are so many working moms out there like my mom. There are so many people who aren’t asking for anything. Just a shot, you know? Just enough to be sure that their kids can do a little bit better.”
“The family piece of her life is really important,” Fletcher said. “Despite all the demands, she shoulders a really heavy load.”Gonzalez joined the staff of then-Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante in 1999, and in 2005 unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the San Diego City Council. In 2007, she was chosen to lead the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, succeeding Jerry Butkiewicz, whose daughter was a friend from high school and whom Gonzalez credits as a mentor.
During last year’s fierce debate over school vaccine exemptions, anti-vaccine groups posted video clips of Gonzalez online, showing the Democratic lawmaker as she tried to maintain order during long legislative hearings. During a debate on the bill, then-state Sen. Jeff Stone once seemed to refer to Gonzalez as the “black widow of public policy” in Sacramento, without mentioning her by name.
Nor has she hesitated to blend the personal with the political, particularly when it comes to her husband. Fletcher served in the Assembly as a Republican before renouncing his party during a failed mayoral race, ultimately re-registering as a Democrat. His electoral comeback as a county supervisor was aided by the political muscle of Gonzalez, whom he married the year before.
Lorena is literally the most reviled woman in all of California. Coronavirus gets more likes than she does.
Hey , I'd love to see more coverage of the companies around the country who are still blacklisting CA and many LA writers. We appreciate the progress being made with ab5. But this is still happening and I have evidence, sources, and stories for you if you're interested.
She ruined so many good peoples’ lives who survived on the gig economy. Writers, musicians, drivers etc. Tip of the hat LA Times for fluff piece. See you at the ballot box POS.