{"id":466,"date":"2023-08-07T18:48:23","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T18:48:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/?page_id=466"},"modified":"2024-02-01T09:48:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T17:48:57","slug":"priorities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I&#8217;m Running"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"466\" class=\"elementor elementor-466\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-544e90f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"544e90f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-89fbe99\" data-id=\"89fbe99\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6156be8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6156be8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet Jirair Ratevosian<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b064af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6b064af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why I'm Running<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0b73c91 elementor-nav-menu__align-center elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"0b73c91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;horizontal&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;&lt;i class=\\&quot;fas fa-caret-down\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/i&gt;&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor-pro\/assets\/css\/widget-nav-menu.min.css\">\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-horizontal e--pointer-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-0b73c91\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1156\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/the-gay-agenda\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">The Gay Agenda<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1157\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/fighting-for-the-american-dream\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Fighting for the American Dream\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1158\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/armenian-fact-sheet\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Jirair\u2019s 5 Priorities for Armenian Issues<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Menu<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-0b73c91\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1156\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/the-gay-agenda\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">The Gay Agenda<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1157\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/fighting-for-the-american-dream\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Fighting for the American Dream\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-post menu-item-1158\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/armenian-fact-sheet\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Jirair\u2019s 5 Priorities for Armenian Issues<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f997ef0 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"f997ef0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/fighting-for-the-american-dream\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">American Dream Plan<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fbedacb elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"fbedacb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/the-gay-agenda\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">The Gay Agenda<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16baf7b elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-mobile-align-justify elementor-widget-mobile__width-inherit elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"16baf7b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/armenian-fact-sheet\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Plan for Armenian Americans<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c42a40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c42a40\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2aa2953\" data-id=\"2aa2953\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e9f33a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e9f33a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My parents and grandparents came to this country to chase the American dream. With a few dollars in their pocket and a few words of English, they left their lives behind to come to Los Angeles &#8211; the land of possibilities. They <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">worked multiple jobs to put food on our table, give us access to good education, and inspired us to chase our\u00a0 dreams. After graduating from UCLA, I had the great privilege to work for policy makers in Washington DC, lead innovative delivery strategies to expand medicines to diverse communities in over 50 countries, and was a health diplomat representing the United States to governments around the world. I am living their American dream.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h4><b>I\u2019m running for Congress because there is so much to do to ensure everyone in our community has equal opportunities and a fair shot to chase their own dreams.\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-475 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-at-mic-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"434\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-at-mic-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-at-mic-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-at-mic.jpeg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More Americans than ever are living paycheck to paycheck. In Los Angeles, most of us are dealing with expensive medical bills, the high cost of groceries, never-ending student loans, and unimaginable housing prices. For those that have a job, wages have come down, working conditions have not improved, and benefits are no longer guaranteed. We are facing the existential threats of illegal drugs on our streets, crime in our communities, and the fear of gun violence that are very real. C<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ities and small businesses are still recuperating from COVID.\u00a0 Los Angeles- that was once a land of possibilities-<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is slipping away.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Congress and the Supreme Court have been hijacked by MAGA-extremists. Republicans are cutting social security benefits, they are eroding the basic ideals we hold to be true, and they pose a serious threat to the future of our democracy &#8211; and America\u2019s standing in the world. I am in this race because we need experienced people who know how Congress works.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">My unmatched federal and foreign policy experience has shown me how Washington works and what needs to change <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to help make Los Angeles better, more prosperous, and more equal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-504 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_3373-e1691435073373-300x244.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"414\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_3373-e1691435073373-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_3373-e1691435073373-1024x834.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_3373-e1691435073373-768x625.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/IMG_3373-e1691435073373.jpg 1183w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with all its dysfunction, I\u2019m not cynical about Washington. I\u2019ve seen great things happen in the halls of Congress and I\u2019ve worked hard to bring change and drive bipartisan initiatives to fight HIV, curtail wars, and lower prescription drug prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being successful in Congress and in Washington is about making the federal system work for people &#8211; <\/span><b>and I already know how to work in the system to get things done for Los Angeles. <\/b><\/p><p><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cacd7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7cacd7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e162c72 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e162c72\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa4a8d3\" data-id=\"fa4a8d3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-554528c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"554528c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d389e6e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d389e6e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-02365e8\" data-id=\"02365e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f335b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f335b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A global public health expert with private sector experience<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd8de05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fd8de05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-499 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-5-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"355\" height=\"266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-5-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-5.jpeg 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 355px) 100vw, 355px\" \/>I\u2019m a public servant to my community and have spent my career working in public health. I believe high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare is one of the fundamental rights of every human being. As a former legislative director in the U.S. Congress, I wrote legislation to make quality, affordable, equitable and accessible healthcare available to all culturally diverse communities. I will advance bills to expand more coverage for primary care, vision, dental, mental health, substance abuse, and reproductive health care. As a former private sector executive, I know how to bring companies, hospitals, doctors, nurses and public health professionals together to make medicines more affordable. At a time of crisis for trust in public health, I will work to restore faith and leadership in our public health institutions, support more pay and protections for health care workers, and expand funding for public health departments across the country to keep our communities healthy and protected for the next pandemic.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e4a7bda elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e4a7bda\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a7c01c6\" data-id=\"a7c01c6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c0c647 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c0c647\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An experienced fighter for all communities<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f1a2de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2f1a2de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-513 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-with-Rep-John-Lews-RIP-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"388\" height=\"291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-with-Rep-John-Lews-RIP-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-with-Rep-John-Lews-RIP-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-with-Rep-John-Lews-RIP.jpeg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px\" \/>As the first born son of a large Armenian immigrant family, my lived experience has instilled in me the resilience and courage to stand against injustice and fight all forms of racism, anti-semitism, transphobia and hate directed toward Asian Americans and Armenians because of who they are. My grandfather taught me about the importance of respect and decency, and I will always work to build bridges &#8211; not walls- between diverse communities. I believe in the basic freedom for people to love who they want to love. And for women &#8211; not politicians &#8211; to make deeply personal healthcare decisions and not have to fight to negotiate the care and support they need.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e9a772 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e9a772\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fa5ea70\" data-id=\"fa5ea70\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f469c84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f469c84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Supporting good paying jobs and shared prosperity<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9bfbb12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9bfbb12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As someone who has held a job nearly every day since being an ice cream scooper at age 15, I believe in the dignity of work. I will tackle income inequality head on to create good paying jobs and stand up for workers\u2019 rights and strong benefits.<\/p><p>I believe the middle class is the engine of America and I will support the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and other bills to improve employment protections related to employees&#8217; rights to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-15e92be elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"15e92be\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-08ab14b\" data-id=\"08ab14b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4246aab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4246aab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Championing public education and our teachers<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2c4e51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c2c4e51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-487 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-7-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-7-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-7.jpeg 604w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>I believe education is the greatest equalizer. In the richest country in the world, higher education should be a ladder, not a lifelong sentence of debt. Yet, as of today, 43 million Americans \u2013 both recent graduates and seniors \u2013 owe $1.6 trillion in student debt. Because of hard work and access to federal grants and scholarships that allowed me to get a quality education, I have been able to get jobs that have served our country at the highest levels of government. Like many others, I still have student loans to pay. Everyone deserves an equal chance to succeed \u2013 but the predatory practices of lenders and for-profit colleges have left thousands of students struggling to keep their heads above water. I will prioritize investing in our schools, supporting more pay for teachers, enhancing STEM opportunities for underrepresented communities, and a fair system to address the student debt crisis.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eace2b2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eace2b2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c10f9d\" data-id=\"8c10f9d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5110066 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5110066\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pragmatic, problem solver to champion small businesses, prioritize public safety, Fight for immigrant rights, affordable housing, and grow the economy for all<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b07fbcd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b07fbcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-09-at-06.10.56-3-300x214.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"451\" height=\"322\" \/>I want to take my long track record of working with Republicans and Independents to support a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants, advance sensible legislation to mitigate gun violence, and support the revitalization of our cities and small businesses so Los Angeles\u2019 economy can work for everyone. I will work with elected officials and business leaders to get in front of the root causes of homelessness. To make a lasting impact, our focus has to be on making housing more affordable through federal resources and incentives and expanding access to mental health and substance use programs.<\/p><p>I am the son of Armenian and Lebanese immigrants so I understand the challenges that many immigrant families face when assimilating into a new country. I also understand what it means to be American, what America means to me and immigrant families alike. I will fight to make the American Dream more accessible to more people so that everyone has a fair shot to chase their own dream.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f548d6d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f548d6d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-440aafc\" data-id=\"440aafc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5962a5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5962a5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An experienced diplomat and foreign policy expert FOR DIPLOMACY, DEVELOPMENT, AND OUR global ENVIRONMENT <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57b87e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"57b87e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-562 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/1601615093749-300x271.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"271\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/1601615093749-300x271.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/1601615093749.jpeg 586w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>My time in the State Department, and work with foreign governments all around the world has given me a front row to history and strengthened my conviction about the indefensible role that the U.S. can and must play in tackling the climate crisis \u00a0at home and abroad, defend democracy and support the spread of protections for human rights. I believe in a America that promotes diplomacy, protects peace, and supports global development to end hunger, mitigate climate change and fight diseases &#8211; and stands up to dictators who commit genocide or unleash violence and hate over their own citizens.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6d1d3a0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6d1d3a0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-75b0c83\" data-id=\"75b0c83\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a531899 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a531899\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The challenging times we\u2019re in call for a new era of leaders in Congress. It\u2019s time for a new generation of progressive leaders to stand up and bring all diverse communities together. I know first hand hand how important it is to fight to be seen and treated equally, for recognition and for justice. I know first hand how important it is to fight for America. And to fight for people. All people. <b>I will always put people first.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>That is why I am in this race &#8211; and that is why I am asking for your support. <\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8410f14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8410f14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"459\" src=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-1024x587.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-668\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-1024x587.png 1024w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-768x440.png 768w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-1536x880.png 1536w, https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Jirair-Signature-2048x1173.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e649dcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e649dcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Jirair Ratevosian<\/strong><br \/>Candidate for Congress<br \/>California&#8217;s 30th District<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d3ff00e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d3ff00e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5dd5429\" data-id=\"5dd5429\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cf81f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"0cf81f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet Jirair Ratevosian Why I&#8217;m Running American Dream Plan The Gay Agenda Plan for Armenian Americans My parents and grandparents came to this country to chase the American dream. With a few dollars in their pocket and a few words of English, they left their lives behind to come to Los Angeles &#8211; the land [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/466"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=466"}],"version-history":[{"count":97,"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1164,"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/466\/revisions\/1164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jirairforca.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}