Former Fil-Am mayor’s Senate bid offers hope for more representation
Former West Sacramento mayor and Fil-Am Christopher Cabaldon’s journey to the state Senate is another step towards inclusive political representation | Photo from Twitter/FOX40 News
A dynamic leader and a proud Filipino American is about to take center stage in California’s political arena. Former West Sacramento mayor Christopher Cabaldon is running for a California Senate seat in 2024.
In this modern era where diversity and representation matter, the openly gay Cabaldon emerges as a beacon of hope. In April 2023, he announced his bid for the California state Senate District 3, which includes Yolo, Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Sonoma, and Sacramento counties.
Tracing his Filipino roots from Albay and Ilocos Sur, Cabaldon is proof of the power of breaking barriers and stereotypes. As the first openly gay Fil-Am mayor, forging paths that others thought impossible is not new to him.
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Energized to launch my candidacy for State Senate , representing the people of District 3: Solano, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Sacramento & Contra Costa counties. By way of intro, I'll be sharing stories by others over weeks ahead. And seeing you in one of our region's special towns! pic.twitter.com/9zzMMi40z3
— Christopher Cabaldon (@mayorcabaldon) April 3, 2023
Cabaldon’s life journey isn’t all politics as he has also embarked on a career in education, serving as vice chancellor at the California Community Colleges. In addition, he was appointed by former President Barack Obama as executive committee of the National Advisory Board for America’s College Promise.
Holding the mayoral reigns of West Sacramento from 1998 to 2020, his legacy spoke of resilience, innovation, and diversity. His tenure was a transformative era too as he turned the industrial town into a business hub to earn the distinction of one of the most livable cities in America in 2014 and one of the 21 “smart communities” to watch in 2018.
Furthermore, in his press release, Cabaldon declared his vision for the state. “California is facing some of the most pressing challenges of our time,” he said. “From the housing crisis and economic inequality to ensuring quality education for all, these issues demand experienced leaders committed to finding tangible solutions.”
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Christopher Cabaldon’s goals for the Filipino community
Some of his campaign agendas resonate with the needs of fellow Filipino Americans considering that his district has over 75,000 Filipino residents.
- Battling anti-Asian hate: He aims to foster a safe environment for all Asian Americans and the Filipino community.
- Preserving cultural heritage: Cabaldon is committed to protecting cultural landmarks to ensure that Filipino communities continue to thrive.
- Empowering Filipino entrepreneurs: Acknowledging the vital role of Filipino entrepreneurs, he aims to help remove obstacles that hinder their growth and success.
With Cabaldon on the run, the state Senate race in 2025 just got more exciting as the power of representation and change makes its presence felt in the bigger political sphere.
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